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Visit Volunteer Romania's website to learn more about their programs abroad

Overview

Overview

Putting smiles on the faces of Romania’s orphaned, abandoned and special needs children since 2001.

Make a Change for the Better with Volunteer Romania an established volunteer programme run by Romanian speaking English staff dedicated to making the lives of underprivileged children a little better.

Our fees are probably the lowest for a fully supported volunteering programme and 100% goes to running the programme.

To come and join the fun, look at our website http://www.volunteerromania.co.uk or contact us directly on contactus@volunteerromania.co.uk for a chat

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Activities
  • Work Abroad
  • Education & Literacy
  • Alternative Break
  • Children & Youth
  • Internship
  • Community Development
  • Teach English
  • Sports & Recreation
  • Arts & Culture
  • Faith-Based
+5 more
Countries
  • Eastern Europe
  • Romania/Moldova
+0 more
Eliana Martin

21 Dec 2016

I would like to share my experience so people can make an educated decision before embarking on this journey. (long and expensive for me US$1,200.00 plane ticket, £2,490.00 for the programme, US$290.00 for the travelers insurance) The fact that all reviews for volunteer romania uk were OLD, should’ve been a red flag that something wasn’t right. I signed up for a 12 week programme. My main objective was to work in the orphanage. Their website, volunteerromania.co.uk advertised that they were partners with an orphanage. They are NOT affiliated with an orphanage. The Special needs school session is september-july so if you go in the summer it’s not available. No curriculum or teaching plan in place for english class (volunteers had to plan this on their time). No briefing or project training provided for volunteers. We were dropped off on location and picked up at end of day (program director Alison didn’t stay in class with volunteers). The volunteer house is in deplorable condition, makeshift kitchen with a mini fridge, a two burner electric stove, and a small sink flooding the floor. House was infested with mice, all food items had to be kept in sealed containers. They provided mouse traps, but I refused to set them as I would have to deal with the dead mouse. No screen on windows, house full of flies especially since it’s a small farming village. The only working shower in the house flooded the floor. Dinner was not always provided the 4 days of the program, since Steve and Alison would leave at last moments notice. Which was not practical since we had limited supplies and no supermarket for 4 km. Making due with salad and cold meats as dinner. Bags of new clothing donated by volunteers undistributed. Alison and Steve made my remaining stay unbearable,by ensuring the water heater didn’t work. Forcing me to leave . What they started with good intention ended with greedy pockets. Had it not been for the amazing children and volunteers, I couldn’t have stayed as long

Volunteer Romania response

Dear Eli I'm sorry that you chose to share your opinion of what has proved to be a positive programme, caring for, entertaining, educating and reaching over 500 children every year on such a public forum. I have no intention of entering into an open debate in public, but if you still wish for honest answers to your criticisms, I will gladly do so in private, you can email me on alison@volunteerromania.co.uk I will however answer two points pertaining to the programme which you appear to have misunderstood. “My main objective was to work in the orphanage. Their website, volunteerromania.co.uk advertised that they were partners with an orphanage. They are NOT affiliated with an orphanage.” We are actually affiliated with a number of orphanages, though we do no longer (since 2014) offer a programme working in an orphanage, we integrate the children in our English Club classes, which benefits the children more and was made quite clear to you in our pre-booking e-mails and skype conversation. “The Special needs school session is september-july so if you go in the summer it’s not available.” Our ‘Working with Special Needs’ care programme dates are clearly shown on our website www.volunteerromania.co.uk All children are invited to our English Club and we do indeed have children and adults with special needs who enjoy the inclusion. Again, those applying for our special needs care programme out of season are made aware of this through our pre-booking skype interviews and e-mails. Please do not hesitate to e-mail us on contactus@volunteerromania.co.uk if you have any queries (or concerns) about joining our programme. Eli – Please contact me alison@volunteerromania.co.uk if you would like your remarks answered. Regards Alison

Stella B

15 Dec 2016

I joined this volunteer program in 04/2016 and all I can say is that I strongly recommend it to everyone who wants to see the real side of how one person can make a big difference. Alison and Steve are great hosts and they made me feel immediately as part of their life and community. Never felt as a stranger. Apart from great support troughout the program, they made sure to show me around and to get to know the local life and culture. Visiting the school with all the wonderful children on first day made me a little nervous but that all disappeared after Alison kindly introduced me to everyone and the kids brightened up with seeing a new face. Place is filled with amazing teachers and really trully great atmosphere, kids were wonderful and I cant describe well enough how much they gave me just with that one smile I was able to put on their face. I do hope I made a small difference in their life, as they sure made a huge one in mine. If you are looking for great place, great people around you, filled with amazing children, this is the right place for you :). Thank you, Alison and Steve, for giving me the opportunity to make a difference. You both are truly a great help and support for those kids. See you soon hopefully 😘

Stella Burska

7 Dec 2016

I can only highly recommend this volunteering program to everyone. It was well organised, Steve and Ali are amazing host and people and made me feel very welcome from the minute they picked me up at the train station. They introduced me to the life in their village as well, which made me feel part of their life immediately. The experience with kids in the school was soo amazing, everyone was very welcoming despite me being the only volunteer at that time and I have to say seeing the special bond between Ali and kids and all great people running the school made me more relaxed and I almost immediately forgot about language barriers. I just immediately felt like I always belonged there, thanks to all friendly and truly amazing people who work there. I do believe I made at least a small change in those lovely childrens lifes, but for sure they made a huge impact on mine in all positive ways. Best and most unforgettable experience was making the kids smile and happy. What a wonderful feeling when they just give you a smile or a hug. Great experience, great hosts, programme provides all what is offered on website, no hidden or small written text issues. And the goodbye karaoke night was soo much fun :). I cant wait to return. Love, Stella from Ireland 😘

Jessy Hawkins

16 Jun 2014

Romania is a magical country, thickly coated in greenery with impressive views and interesting, friendly people. With Volunteer Romania, I was able to absorb all of this and more, leaving me so inspired, taking in the random customs and feeling immersed in the real culture of the locals. This was partly due to the beautiful village where I stayed, and also thanks to Ali and Steve - two of the kindest and most go-getting people you could meet; it was a real honour to be introduced to such an incredible country by people who had truly discovered and fallen in love with it. The programme was interesting and diverse, with lovely children and staff who were so welcoming and put me immediately at ease. Both the special needs school and the two orphanages were eye-opening and incredibly humbling, and the children were fantastic; they left me with a smile stuck on my face the whole time. I would recommend Volunteer Romania to anyone, as it was well organised, educational, massively rewarding and a perfect way to touch upon the true soul of a wonderful country and its people. I've arrived home feeling more capable than ever, more positive, and have recommended it to anyone I've met who dreams of getting away for a bit.

Jess Cornwell

23 Apr 2014

I've just returned from Romania, after staying with Ali & Steve for the last 2 & a half months. They made me feel so welcome as soon as I arrived until the day I left. On programme working at the Orphanages & at the Special Needs school was absolutely fantastic, it was lovely to have a varied division between the two. So much so, that I've booked myself back onto programme in June throughout the Summer & I'm really ecstatic to return in 6 weeks time. But seriously, Ali & Steve are wonderful people & you couldn't ask for better hosts, not just on programme but also off of it, they were so helpful & kind & building a relationship with a personal touch was really great. See you soon guys! :) xx

Beth Spiers

26 Oct 2013

I cannot recommend Volunteer Romania more highly. I had an amazing experience thanks to Steve and Ali who made me feel at home as soon as I arrived, and to the wonderful children who kept a smile on my face and now have a special place in my heart. I was nervous to travel alone but Steve and Ali were there every step of the way and I now have beautiful memories that I will treasure forever. I look forward to planning my second trip!

Volunteer Romania response

Beth, what can we say...Thank you.....How many times will you race the children around the house next year? Thank you for your support and love x

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