Romania is one of the poorest countries in Europe. Endemic poverty and high levels of unemployment have made it difficult for the country to develop sufficiently and these issues have created a need for the work done by Projects Abroad volunteers. This is especially true for Romanian children, who remain an especially vulnerable group within the country.
As a volunteer on the Care Project in Romania, you can help make a difference in the day to day lives of children in day care centres or special needs centres. Each placement that we work with is eager to have an extra pair of helping hands to support their staff. The local staff are dedicated to the children in their care, but it is difficult for them to give each child individual attention. This is where your role becomes crucial.
You can have a significant impact at your placement in a variety of ways. By bringing ideas for new activities and games, talking to and playing with the children, and teaching conversational English, you will contribute to their development and brighten their lives. Some of our previous volunteers have also enjoyed involving the children in sports, drama, dance, and singing.
You can volunteer abroad on a Care Project in Romania as part of a gap year, a career break, part of an extended vacation, or during your retirement. You can be a trained childcare or Early Childhood Development professional or new to the field. All we ask is that you have a passion for and a commitment to the work and the people you are there to help.
You can read more detailed information about the aims of the project in our Romania Care Management Plan.
At the day care centres we work with, you will help care for and support young children. This is a great opportunity to assist with Early Childhood Development and you can organize arts and crafts, play games and sports, sing songs, and teach English. Each of these activities will go a long way in giving the children confidence and letting each one feel valued.
We do offer opportunities to work with Romanian children and adults with physical and mental disabilities at day care centres. These placements are demanding and are ideal for volunteers who have some previous experience of working with physically or mentally handicapped children or adults. Local staff, including your placement supervisor, will welcome your dedication and enthusiasm and are on hand at all times should you need any guidance.
In Romania, we have placements available for volunteers interested in helping to care for the elderly. These placements can be demanding as some of the adults have mental or physical disabilities, so it is recommended that volunteers be proactive and have a mature attitude.
At the shelter, you will be help local staff with daily tasks such as making sure all the elderly have suitable clothing and access to bathroom facilities, as well as organizing board and card games and arts and crafts activities. One of the most important things that you can do as a volunteer is offer friendship and companionship. Many of the adults at the shelter will appreciate the time you spend with them and will enjoy chatting with you.
If you would like to volunteer at a home for the elderly in Romania, please let us know when you apply.
Your accommodation will be with a local Romanian family close to your placement. This will give you the chance to immerse yourself in the local culture and to feel part of this European community. Our Projects Abroad Romania office, a bustling centre for volunteers doing all kinds of projects, is close by and our staff are available to offer help and support at all hours - day or night - should you require their assistance.
All volunteers taking part on a Care Project in Romania must now undertake a basic medical check and a Police Clearance, to demonstrate they are fit to work with children. This is easily arranged at your local police station and we will provide advice on this when you apply. Please note that it can take up to 40 days to receive clearance.
Over the years, our volunteers have worked with children at orphanages and residential care homes in Romania. They have done incredible work at these placements, improving living conditions there and creating opportunities for children by supporting their education and care. However, we have decided to move our focus away from orphanages and homes toward community and family-based care. This is because we believe stable family environments are best for the children we work with. Read more about orphanage volunteering and our position on it.
This means that instead of volunteering in orphanages in Romania, volunteers will work in placements like day care centres, kindergartens and schools, or support groups for the elderly and mothers and babies. This will help Projects Abroad build stronger relationships with local communities and – most importantly – help families stay together and flourish.
The Care Project in Romania is available for less than a month if you don't have time to join us for a month or more. This project has been selected by our local colleagues as being suitable for shorter durations for both the host community and the volunteer. Although you will gain valuable cultural insight and work intensely within the local community please be aware that you may not be able to make the same impact as someone participating for a longer period.
If you have qualifications or experience in this field then we can make use of your skills volunteering abroad as a professional in Romania. If you are a high school student and first-time traveler you may want to consider our High School Special programs in Romania.
Volunteers seeking a different cultural experience have the option of participating on a more unique project for one week at the end of their project. For more information, please visit the Classical & Medieval Archaeology in Romania page. Our Combinations Page explains how you can combine not only projects, but also destinations.