by Claire Scott
The Edge is a cross community youth project based in Ballynahinch. They have organized two previous trips to the Livada Orphanages in Romania to run summer camps for the children. Paul Coles the project leader asked me if I would be interested in going. As I work with children in a day nursery I thought this would be an opportunity to help and see childcare in a different culture. I had heard a lot of about the experiences of others on previous trips.
We had a lot fundraising to do to pay towards the trip and to get the various goods and equipment that we had to take with us. I would like to thank everyone who contributed in anyway.
We arrived in Romania after a long journey. We met Bruce, the leader of the summer camp who spent two days explaining the camp and what was expected of us. We also visited a boy's orphanage where we spent time trying to get to know the boys who would be coming to the summer camp.
The camp was situated in the mountains - a beautiful location with amazing scenery. It was to last for 5 days and I was given a group of girls aged 18 - 19 to work with. This work was challenging as teenagers don't always do what you want them to do, when you want them to, which is so true the world over.
Our days started at 7.30am as we had to wake our group to have breakfast. After breakfast, we had to take them round different stations - bible lessons, story time, games and crafts. After a snack we went to various activities - obstacle courses, walks, ziplines etc. In the afternoons we had time to meet other groups such as the younger children. During these times I got to know a boy called Leo who was ten. Everyday Leo remembered my name and would come to me with a big hug and smile. There was another girl called Vio who told me that I was her sister. Things like this made me very emotional.
In the evenings we organized different activities - campfires, games nights and even a beauty night. During the beauty night we did the girls' hair, helped them put on make-up and dressed them up to make them feel special. They all seemed to enjoy this!
The children seemed to be happy and were always smiling and so pleased to see us each day. It was very emotional and difficult to leave at the end of the camp as we knew we would not see the children again. It was lovely to think that for 5 days we had made a difference to the lives of the children.
After the camp and during our last two days of our trip we visited a special needs orphanage - this was the most difficult and upsetting aspect of our trip. We also made another trip to the boys' orphanage which we visited earlier. This was the last time that I got to see Leo and say my final goodbye to him.
At the end of the camp, each child was given a bag which contained deodorant, sweets, a bracelet and pair of sandals. The smiles of appreciation on the children's faces were amazing - simple things that we take for granted meant so much to them.
I gained a lot from the trip - how to work as part of a team, and the friendship I gained with the others who went on the trip. By giving a little of my time, I have managed to help bring some happiness to the children. This trip has given me memories which I will always have and I hope that I have become a better person from the experience. |
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Claire's Photos Of Romania
Rwanda 2003
Romania 2003
Tanzania 2004
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