Volunteering unites—support for elderly & children in Moldova
Volunteering is growing increasingly active in the Republic of Moldova. Community initiatives aimed at supporting the elderly and children are creating spaces for emotional support, socialization, and inclusion. These efforts are bringing people together and strengthening the civic spirit in localities such as the village of Semeni and beyond.
More and more people of different ages are choosing to get involved in volunteer activities, giving their time and energy to support those around them. Community centers and social organizations are creating meeting and learning spaces for children, the elderly, and refugees, and local initiatives are gaining momentum.
One example is Tamara Subeica, a volunteer and coordinator of a club dedicated to the elderly, who emphasises the importance of socialising for seniors.
“I am 73 years old and I have been a volunteer since 2022. During these years, from the very beginning, we have also started doing a lot of other activities that are related not only to providing material help to people, but also psychological help, through socializing,” the woman said in an interview for the “Zi de Zi” show on Radio Moldova.
According to her, the activities organized within the club include thematic workshops and cultural meetings. “I personally volunteer and lead the “Seniori și seniorite” club. We gather in the first two hours, dedicated to masterclasses with completely different themes. Handicrafts, poetry evening, a session with the theme of Martisor. We ended up making Easter cakes. For the elderly 60+, it is very important to socialize, not to feel alone”, explained Tamara Subeică.
Volunteering also takes on a form adapted for children, where creative activities become tools of emotional support. Rodica Vasilachi, a volunteer and coordinator of a children's club, mentioned that her involvement began in the same year as that of other members of the community. “I have been a volunteer since 2022. I heard about this center from acquaintances. We gathered a whole group and came to help”, she said.
She highlighted the role of artistic activities in working with young children, including refugee children. "I do art therapy, I work with children, I do different games, different activities, I help children open up. A lot of children are from Ukraine and many are inhibited, stressed. We help them discover themselves, show what they have and we help them express their emotions. We also have refugees from Africa", Rodica Vasilachi said.
Such initiatives demonstrate that volunteering contributes to the consolidation of local communities, transforming mutual support and civic involvement into essential elements of everyday life.
