Get involved in a social business and Volunteer to help Ukrainian refugees in Floreni, Moldova

Details

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  Description

  We started the activity with a passion for education and caring for children, and turned it into a social business geared towards promoting education through play. The collection of toys we create offers parents an effective alternative in the fight against screens by developing children's creativity and intelligence.
  
  When the war started between Russia and Ukraine the country of Moldova took in hundreds of thousands of refugees and our mission became providing free toys to refugee children. So far we have made and produced over 300 elastic toys, which help children express their emotions by creating stories with these cubes. We also provided over 200 puzzle maps with the regions of Ukraine, so that the little ones can continue the educational process create a new healthy routine, and feel connected to their homeland, all from our home workshop.
  
  In April, we renovated a van, with the help of our volunteers, and used it to travel to different camps and villages that host refugees every Saturday. Here we cook food, play music, dance, and give the refugees a moment to relax and connect with their community. We also use this time to practice English with the young ones and have an all-around great time.
  
  We have launched a series of socio-cultural events through which we learn to live together!
  
  At home, gathered around the fireplace, the guests from Ukraine needed to talk about their feelings and be listened to to overcome some traumas they experienced and escape the feeling of guilt the survivor.
  
  We hosted more than 27 families from Ukraine in our house, most of the refugees insisted on getting involved in the process of preparing meals, using their time and skills to help them relax and feel settled, after a short time the guests confessed that the atmosphere in our house helped them to feel comfortable, and some sense of stability to get their memories back…
  
  We wanted to offer this opportunity to all refugees who came to Moldova, which is why we launched the sociocultural project and started the adventure with the food truck through the villages and refugee centers to organize a unique event where we bring the atmosphere of our home, we gather around the fire, we cook, we listen to them, we sing, we cry, we make educational toys, we play and make a “Hora” of friendship.
  
  Involvement in the activities of our events is like a kind of mental refreshment that helps refugees get out of the whirlpool of guilt, isolation, anxiety, and displacement, and escape the guilt of the survivor.
  
  So far, we have organized events in the village of Floreni - Anenii Noi district, the village of Riscova - Criuleni district, Hîrtop village - Cimișlia district, Volintiri village - Ștefan Vodă district and the Roma refugee center in Chisinau.
  
  The event is attended by 35 to 55 people, most of whom are refugees from Ukraine, as well as local hosts. The event lasts from 6 to 8 hours, during the events we prepare traditional dishes, make educational toys for children from 1 to 99 years old, board games and learning materials, and play.
  
  The event aims to help them to integrate into the local community and to achieve a social and spiritual connection.
  
  For us, cooking together in the open air is, of course, all about ensuring an extraordinary moment for our dear guests with a relaxing atmosphere and peace ...
  
  Together with volunteers from Germany, Ireland, Japan, the USA, India, and Moldova, assisted by a chef, we offer guests from Ukraine, a welcoming afternoon to feel at home, so that they can enjoy a moment of comfort, optimism, and peace of mind.
  
  Regardless of your preferences, culture, and culinary aspirations, it is certain that the process of cooking together can result in real miracles!
  
  Together with the guests of the event we cook, we learn to communicate in English, Romanian, and Ukrainian, we enjoy different goodies from different corners of the world and we do intercultural exchanges, each participant offers a sample of their own culture.
  
  Our initiative enjoys a strong interest from the media, we were recently visited and helped by the actress, the writer, the artist, the human rights activist, and the goodwill ambassador Katja Rieman from Germany, for which we are grateful.
  
  Now we are hosting visit tours to our small toy factory. Groups of children are coming to see how we produce toys, we involve them in creating their toys and then have fun in our yard with board games and outdoor games created by us.
  
  We need help in organizing visit tours, taking care of kids, social media activity, website improvements, old house improvements, cooking, cleaning, daily routine, fundraising, and having fun!

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Charity Work

  Art Projects

  Language practice

  Teaching

  DIY and building projects

  Babysitting and creative play

  Creating/ Cooking family meals

  Help around the house

  Hospitality/Tourism

  General Maintenance

  Help with Computers/ Internet
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  UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

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  What's this?
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  If you are looking for a language or cultural exchange, this house is for you. We routinely host volunteers from all over the world and open our doors to refugee families. We speak multiple different languages and make a point to share our culture and learn about the cultures of those who come to stay with us (especially through food :)).
  
  Beyond language and cultural exchange we can teach you all manner of things from building and woodworking to

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  Help

  Help involves a variety of tasks. Normally during the week hour days consist of working in the workshop building toys. This usually means help is needed cutting and using the saw, sanding, and assembly. Prior building experience is helpful.
  
  We need help in organizing visit tours, taking care of kids, social media activity, website improvements, old house improvements, cooking, cleaning, daily routine, fundraising, and having fun!
  
  Other tasks would sometimes include cleaning the workshop.

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  English: Fluent
  Romanian: Fluent

  This host offers a language exchange
  This host has indicated that they are interested in sharing their own language or learning a new language.
  You can contact them directly for more information.
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  Accommodation

  Now we can offer accommodation in an old restored house, very close to the workshop.

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  What else ...

  we have four bikes that can be used by volunteers

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  A little more information

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    Internet access

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    Limited internet access

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    We have pets

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    We are smokers

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    Can host families

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  Can host digital nomads

  This host has indicated that they love having digital nomads stay.

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  Space for parking camper vans

  This host can provide space for campervans.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  Two

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  Hours expected

  Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week

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