Over 50 volunteers, the majority of them high school students, help in building social housing.
Twenty-one youth from Northern Ireland, helped by students from two important schools in Oradea, National College Emanuil Gojdu and National College Mihai Eminescu, are working side by side to help beneficiaries who don’t have a decent home. The Irish youth are part of a national program run in Northern Ireland called “Youth Build”, a name with a double meaning. On the one hand students throughout the country are challenged to build decent housing for the needy in less developed countries, and on the other hand, they are taught to “build” a quality character.
“Over the three years, the Youth Build program has offered a unique experience to nearly 200 students from 34 schools from across Northern Ireland, who have worked in local communities in Poland and Romania. This program is an opportunity for young people aged between 16 and 18 years, to work in a team to build confidence and learn new skills.” says Jan Lindsay, volunteer coordinator.
As usual, the experience of young people in Romania will not be limited to only building homes, but they will also participate in other activities. This means that they will get to enjoy a Romanian traditional evening where they will see a performance of dances and folk songs from Bihor county and will also taste dishes specific to the area. They will also visit places of interest such as Baile Felix, 1 Mai, Oradea or the Bears Cave.
Students from Oradea have preferred to spend their vacation, instead of sitting on the terrace or at the beach, to work with Irish and other local volunteers and beneficiary families who need a healthy and liveable roof over their heads.
“We became involved in this project because we wanted to develop a civic spirit, to cultivate the sense of human solidarity and demonstrate that we can be unselfish, disciplined and tenacious. We engaged in this kind of voluntary activity because we understand very well how important it is for the active involvement of students in solving community problems, but also because we want to also have a healthy attitude regarding work and their concrete results. We want, we know, we can and we do … If not us, then who? If not now, when?” says Florica Cretiu, coordinating teacher of the Romanian youth.
The volunteer activities consisted in making the walls and roof for two Habitat homes, in preparing the formwork and preparing and pouring of concrete for other homes within Habitat for Humanity Beius’ project “Housing for a secure future” in partnership with the Oradea city hall.
More photos can be viewed on Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10153805696392334.1073741908.61575062333&type=3
