Youth call: Join the Volunteers!

Yearly, about 100 youth with special needs attend the Vocational Orientation Center in Vadul-lui-Voda for one month, where they are helped by volunteers. The Center’s activity was presented during the National Week of Voluntary Work, which takes place between April 9 and 18, with the slogan “Join the Volunteers!”, Info-Prim Neo reports. Mariana Maftei, PR coordinator of “Motivatie” Association, said that at the Vocational Orientation Center, youth learned jobs like secretary, cook, dressmaker, operator and others. After 26 days, beneficiaries can go to study in a professional school or find a job. “We could organize more sessions like this, but lack the necessary funds for food and utility bills. We’re looking for projects, but it’s hard to get one. We need a washing machine, a fridge, dishes and many other things”, she said. One of the Center’s volunteers, Cornel Baran, said he first came here four years ago as a beneficiary, then returned to volunteer as sports instructor for other youth with special needs. Ludmila Iachim, coordinator of the “Motivatie” Association’s Rehabilitation Program, has been a volunteer for 6 years. She told us that youth came at the Center in Vadul-lui-Voda to gain skills and knowledge that would help them fend for themselves. “Here, we have the chance to open a path in their lives”, the coordinator said. Antonita Fonari, head of the “Youth for the Right to Live Association”, explained that such activities are meant to promote voluntary work, to recruit more volunteers, to engage youth in such activities. During this week, until April 18, public actions will be carried out to inform the society about voluntary work and ways of doing it.