Instead of complaining about the obstacles and how difficult it is in Romania, the Ajungem MARI association has developed a program to complement the social protection system, to take care of institutionalized children. In the last 10 years, a lot has changed in the organization, they have grown, expanded their activity in the country, implemented various projects for vulnerable children and young people, but the family spirit has remained as strong.
Ana Maria Dobranici is one of the more than 10,000 volunteers who decided to be part of the solution in a field that should be in everyone’s attention: the education of children in Romania. But especially the education of children from the protection system and from disadvantaged backgrounds. For over 6 years, he has been making sure that young people in the protection system become responsible, independent and happy adults.
Ajungem MARI is currently running a new recruitment campaign, looking for volunteers to teach vulnerable children and young people to dream again. The campaign of recruitment lasts until October 13.
“Volunteering, in general, is a very nice experience, even more so when you work with vulnerable children. The joy and satisfaction of having “made a Great Man” is extraordinary. Ajungem Mari is the largest educational program for children and young people who come from the protection system and from disadvantaged backgrounds and, at the same time, a community where you find support and a multitude of opportunities as a volunteer to set good in motion and build a better world, which we can leave as a legacy to future generations”, says Ana.
We talk with Ana Maria Dobranici about volunteering at Ajungem MARI, challenges and satisfactions in working with young people and children from the protection system who grow up far from their family and why new volunteers are needed, in the lines below.
The desire to volunteer at Ajungem MARI
I love children and I felt the need to give my soul and those who need it the most a comfort, a kind word, an encouragement and a look full of love.
The smiles and warm hugs of the children, their empathy and compassion, but also the results we achieve when we work together, alongside absolutely extraordinary people – fellow volunteers and the super heroes of the management of Ajungem Mari – are the engine that drives me to continue beyond any challenge I would meet here.
First day as a volunteer
I was very excited. I felt as if I had stepped into another world, like Alice in Wonderland, and I didn’t know if and how I would manage in this universe that was completely new to me and, at the same time, full of mysteries, very challenging and attractive.
Favorite activities with institutionalized children
I would mention free games and chats, going out and to various places of their liking. Through play and good humor you reach their souls the fastest, where the construction of a lasting bridge begins, that of friendship, which crosses seas that we often don’t even know, but we discover them together, step by step, holding each other by the hand and confidently walking forward.
A day in the life of a volunteer
The days when we visit the children are sure to be filled with all kinds of emotions, from exuberance, joy and delight, to melancholy, sadness or anger.
There are days when we go to the children with a theme or a proposal for activities, they respond promptly and we follow through on it. There are days when we focus on helping with lessons and homework.
And there are days when nothing we propose fits the mood the children have at that moment. Then we try to talk about the emotions we feel. What are they, how do they appear and how can we manage them better to easily overcome delicate moments. Other times, when emotions are perhaps too intense to talk about, a warm hug says a thousand words.
The main emotional needs of an institutionalized child
Their needs differ from child to child, what suits one is not useful for another. But, if I were to extract a common denominator, beyond the uniqueness and particularities of each child, then I would say that what they most need are soulmates who listen to them, appreciate them and encourage them. To see in them the potential that is often hidden behind protective walls far too high to be climbed alone.
Lessons learned from vulnerable children
All of us, children and volunteers alike, need a friend. A reliable friend who will believe in us no matter what, especially when we no longer believe either. A friend who, when we lose our “compass”, will take us by the hand and remind us who we are, how valuable we are. When we have a reliable friend by our side, we have the power to turn dreams into reality.
I have seen doors open and unexpected opportunities arise when volunteers join forces to find solutions to the needs of the children they work with. I have seen how beautiful friendships grow between volunteers and how they support each other when life presents them with all kinds of challenges. I saw how kindness begets kindness, how compassion and dedication return tenfold to the one who does not remain indifferent to the need of the one next to him.
Sometimes it means mustering all the courage to step out of your comfort zone and step forward, to contribute to a better world, as we each want for ourselves and our children.
An emotional moment that stayed in his soul
One of the days when I was with the children in a park, at a public playground, where several children were playing with their parents or grandparents, one of the little girls from the center approached me and said: “please while we’re here, can I call you mommy?”.
I suspect you can guess the reason. The kids in the park were yelling at their parents to show them how they were doing on the different machines in the park, the kids in the protective system wanted to be like the others. It’s an example to understand how much they need human connection, adult friends to encourage them and role models to follow.
The impact that a We Reach BIG volunteer has in the lives of institutionalized children
A volunteer can be the “lighthouse” that illuminates and guides the way in the life of an abandoned child. Volunteers often represent children’s chance for a balanced psycho-emotional development and preparation for an independent life.
They need classmates, mentors, confidants, all people have to do is be their friend. To listen to them, to discover their needs, passions and abilities, to believe in them, to support them with patience and gentleness, to become the adults of tomorrow, great and autonomous people, who carry on generosity, respect, determination, the empathy and altruism planted in their souls by the volunteers who guide them to a balanced, harmonious and independent life.
I recommend people to sign up for our program, because volunteering at We arrive BIG it gives you the chance to develop personally and professionally, to be part of a community of beautiful people who help institutionalized children and young people to become independent, responsible and happy.
Source: www.iqads.ro
