The number of those who became involved in the activities staged during the National Volunteering Week (NVW) increased to over 22,000 from 1,638 in 2014. The works done by volunteers involved in the National Volunteering Week activities during October 2-8 were assessed at almost 1.5 million lei. The data were presented in a news conference at IPN, were the results of the NVW were summed up.
According to NVW coordinator Andrei Gaiu, there were three national coordinators in 2013, but this year 34 coordinators managed the volunteering activities in districts. The number of organized activities rose from 371 four years ago to 1,099. The volunteers from Ungheni followed by those from Drochia, Dubasari, Ialoveni and Rezina staged the largest number of activities.
Antoniţa Fonari, director of the Platform for Active Citizenship and Partnership for Human Rights, which forms part of the Coalition to Promote the Volunteering Law and Activities, said the activities held during the NVW were aimed at promoting the concept of civic involvement and at disseminating the message that things in society can be changed to the better if there is wish to become involved without asking for something instead. “Persons with disabilities also became engaged and these showed that they can be useful to society and that they can be important,” stated Antonita Fonari.
Constantin Turcanu, deputy division head at the Ministry of Education, Culture and Research, said the activities held during the NVW contribute to developing the legal framework on volunteering. The law on volunteering was already approved. In the future the Government’s acts will center on its implementation so that the adopted provisions are put into practice. The NVW is a step towards having the volunteering included in the length of service. “It is important for volunteering to be appreciated justly,” stated Constantin Turcanu.
Liuba Stavinski, coordinator of the NVW 2017 in Rezina, stated that more persons became involved this year. “Volunteering is something we like and we do not expect someone to pay us. We do what we do for pleasure,” she stated.
Coordinator in Ungheni Tatiana Lazar said the volunteers from their district cleaned wells and different areas, planted trees and raised funds for the socially deprived groups. They planned 150 activities, but carried out more than 200. The beneficiaries totaled over 10,000. Most of the volunteers were students. “The changes in society depend on us. We must become involved more,” noted Tatiana Lazar.
Coordinator in Anenii Noi Olesea Ghereg said she acted as a coordinator for the first time and it was a good experience for her. They carried out cleanup works, helped people in need and planted trees. They also staged charity concerts and meals for the elderly and made donations for families with many children.
During October 2-8, the public authorities, civil society organizations, initiative groups and others conducted awareness-raising campaigns, charity, cleanup and training events within the National Volunteering Week 2017. The event was organized by the Coalition to Promote the Volunteering Law and Activities and was supported by the project “NVW 2017 – Join the Volunteers” within the Program of Grants 2017 of the central body responsible for youth and sport of the Ministry of Education, Culture and Research.
