Description

Love Volunteers, in tandem with its partner NGO in Moldova, is looking for volunteers for this small, picturesquely rural and very poor country. Volunteering in Moldova is a great prospect for those interested in eastern Europe and who'd like to help the people of a country which, having enjoyed peace for several years now, suffered a civil war during the 1990s and has a reputation not just as one of Europe's poorest countries but also as one of the friendliest.

Volunteering attracts people of all backgrounds and belonging to all age groups. Most often, volunteering occurs as part of the gap year experience before embarking on a university degree. Besides giving the volunteer a fresh outlook on life increased self-confidence and problem-solving skills, it also provides a boost to one's CV. For some a stint spent volunteering forms a perfect break between jobs or during a change of career direction.

The rewards of volunteering include the satisfaction that comes from making a daily impact on the lives of individuals affected by limited economic, educational and health prospects. Volunteering brings you into contact with people eager to introduce you to their world, its customs and its outlook on life. In Moldova, the volunteer placements consist mainly of working in a secondary school teaching conversational English. You will find Moldovan students enthusiastic to learn about life beyond their own borders. By virtually becoming one of the locals, volunteers make many new friends.

Project: Teaching English

Highlights

With Romania and Ukraine as its immediate neighbors, the Communist-governed Republic of Moldova contains several separate ethnic groups. A small country with less than 4.5 million inhabitants, Moldova's greatest export is wine. The rural landscape is one not just abounding with vineyards, but possessing peaceful, intensely green pastures, fields of sunflower fields and others yielding enormous watermelons.

There are cave monasteries to be visited at Trebujeni, also known as Orheiul Vechi, a network carved by 13th century monks and inhabited for five subsequent centuries. Conditions were extremely Spartan. Today it has a certain eerie quality. Girls and women have to cover their heads and the wearing of shorts is not permitted.

Even older are the cave monasteries at Tipova, said to be Eastern Europe's largest. This area is also the place to enjoy walks around the forested hills and by the River Dniester with tributaries where waterfalls cascade.

A visit to Tiraspol - the capital of the small self-declared republic of Transdniestr in the south-east of the country - gives visitors some inkling of what Moscow was like in Soviet times.

Vadu lui Voda, on the other hand, is a rural retreat where Moldovans head at weekends. It has basic cabins for camping, a riverside beach, a good number of reasonably - priced bars and restaurants and plenty of hiking.

Travel Types

• Cycling (Road/Touring)
• Dancing
• Eco Tours
• Language Immersion
• Native Culture Studies
• Nature Tours
• Overland Tours
• Photography
• Sports
• Tours
• Trekking

Qualifications

To volunteer on a program in Moldova you need to be at least 18 years of age and a native English-speaker.

No specific previous experience or qualifications are necessary. However, good communication skills and personal qualities such as a sense of humor, sensitivity towards others and resourcefulness in the face of limited materials and equipment are all desirable.

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

Fees for volunteer programs in Moldova start at EUR 308 for two weeks

Cost Includes:

• Food
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Written materials abroad
• Written materials pre-departure

Program Fees Include:

Includes accommodation, three meals a day, an airport pick-up and drop-off (if required), orientation and 24/7 in-country support.

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

• Childcare/children
• English Teaching
• Teaching
• Tutor
• Youth
• Youth Development

Age Range

18+

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Home-stays

Participants Travel

Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work

Independently or in Groups

Application Process Involves

• Other
• Written Application

Typically The Application Process Time is

48 hours

Post Services Include

• Alumni Network
• Exit Debriefing Abroad

Love Volunteers's Mission Statement

We are a not-for-profit organization that provides fun, rewarding, safe and affordable volunteering opportunities in developing countries around the world. Whether you're planning a week helping a local community as you travel around a country, six months learning the local language, or putting your gap year to good use, Love Volunteers has a program that will give you the best possible experience.

Year Founded

2009