Big Brothers and Sisters of Piatra-Neamt, Romania

Established in October 2000, Big Brothers and Sisters of Piatra-Neamt coordinates the collaboration of high school and college age volunteers to bridge the gap between the community and orphans between the ages of 9 and 12 at Centrul de Plasament “Elena Doamna.” The program recruits and trains the volunteers to plan, prepare, and implement weekly activities with 24 or more orphans in Piatra-Neamt. Specific activities are suggested, planned, executed and evaluated by the volunteers in four workshops organized quarterly.

After regular participation in weekly activities, ongoing relationships have been developed and continue to develop to maintain the program with plans for expansion to other placement homes in the area. Planning and implementation skills will continue to develop in the volunteers. Community contacts are being established for activities and basic needed supplies have already been purchased. A positive attitude and acceptance of the orphans by the community is a long term goal.

Involvement and input by the well established NGO of ARAS continues to develop a feeling of responsibility and pride in a successful, meaningful project. ARAS supports their volunteers’ participation in the activities of this project and continued help.

Motto
* “Respect Yourself, Respect Others, Respect Time.”

Goals
* Exposure and integration of orphan children into a community that seldom
   sees them
* Educate and inform all individuals involved in the project on the facts of HIV
   (a number of the orphans are HIV positive)
* Develop personal relationships between the volunteers and the children
* Expose the children to the world and activities outside the orphanage walls
* Develop planning, executive, and evaluative skills in the volunteers