I am Nata Britkova. I am 33 years old, I am a director, theater and film actress. As a teenager, volunteering and non-formal education attracted my curious attention. For all the years that I was engaged in volunteering in various organizations, participated in various projects, both in Moldova and abroad, it turned out that the RVC was the best thing that could happen to me! My volunteer work began after Good Deeds Day in 2022. Then I gradually began to get acquainted with the projects, and there were quite a lot of them at the RVC, and I wanted to take part in each of them. An interesting fact is that my teacher, an acting coach of the improvisation format, has Jewish roots, but before that I had little knowledge of Jewish culture. Thanks to the RVC, she began to get involved in educational meetings and seminars, thereby learning more about the holidays and traditions of the Jewish people. The Republican Volunteer Center is a platform that allows you not only to help, but also to develop yourself and your abilities, and since I have knowledge of acting, I decided to create the IMPROart project. Some time later, after attending the Network of Volunteer Coordinators workshop, I became its co-coordinator. This project is about the art of improvisation, theater and cinema, which allows all volunteers to reveal their talents. Thanks to the volunteer center, I have the opportunity to continue the work of my teacher and her sister, who, as a person of science, also took part in the development of improvisation. In addition to the mentioned project, I actively participate in environmental events, conduct team building events for volunteers and am a member of the logistics team, thereby developing my creative and creative visions to help the coordinators create unforgettable events. I am proud to be a volunteer of the RVC! Volunteering is about real life!

My volunteering journey began in September 2018 when I joined the community. To be honest, back then, I had no idea what volunteering was all about. I was introduced to it by Julia Volstein. I consider her my spiritual mentor because she was the one who showed what volunteers do and how to interact with different categories of people we provide help to. With Julia's help, the volunteer creative group "Rikuddim" was created, which is active to this day.

We established it quite quickly. Initially, we participated in various events, provided assistance to the community, and performed in charity concerts. The most important thing is my "volunteers," as I like to call them. They are my team, which, over the five years of our existence, has helped others many times without remaining indifferent to the problems of others. When we started, there were only six of us, but as we continued, more community members became interested in our activities. Today, the volunteer creative group consists of 15 members, as well as children of community members. I love helping others, seeing their smiles, especially when it comes to children or elderly people who just need some companionship. I love to see the little happiness in their eyes after the events, which then fills you from within, making you a completely different person.

I believe that what we gain from volunteering goes beyond material possessions. Participation in events helps us develop our qualities: responsibility, conflict resolution, communication skills, overcoming shyness, and more. Volunteering is an excellent way to make new friends.

As they say, "a person needs a person." In reality, offering assistance is not that difficult. I think many people have, at some point, selflessly helped others without expecting any reward. Charity is a very important part of our world. A person gives a piece of their warmth, their time, their emotions but gains much more in return.

My name is Yuliana Berkovich. In 2010, I came to the Jewish community center with my eldest son. I began to attend creative circles and actively help in the design of stands and exhibitions. Soon I became a volunteer and started to lead the "Creative Workshop" project in Hesed. Since the summer of 2022, I have been organizing and hosting master classes for children and teenagers at the Jewish Community Center. My youngest son also attends the center's programs. At these workshops, we sew dolls together from various materials, make crafts from leather, felt and yarn. This lesson brings me real pleasure, and the joyful faces of the children convince me that my knowledge and experience are very valuable and useful.

Julia Tsytkina is an economist in the municipal budget health care institution.

How did you get into the League of Volunteers? I went to Menorah for yoga and painting, and there I found out about the volunteer project. I delivered presents to old people and children, washed the windows at homes of elderly people, and helped to organize painting classes with the elderly.

Now I’m involved in Shabbat project at home of elderly people. We light candles on Fridays, read prayers and hold Shabbat together.

I have the skills, knowledge and desire to help.

My name is Alyona, I'm in the 12th grade at the "Petru Movilă" lyceum. I have always been interested in volunteering, because I wanted to help people, and I had always possessed the most important resources for this: time and desire. I started looking into volunteer centers and came across the Republican Volunteer Center (RVC). By the end of the summer, I filled out a registration form and was invited for an interview. This is how my volunteer journey began. At the moment I am participating in a project for children "How does it work?". In the classroom, I talk in a manner that is interesting for children about the work of the human body. I also work with older people in the "IT POP" project, which aims to teach mobile literacy to Hesed's wards. What I like about RVC is that absolutely everyone can find an outlet of expression for themselves here, as there are many projects for different age groups and interests. Volunteers are also not forgotten, for whom many educational seminars, training and master classes are held. I also want to note the coordinators who are always ready to help and make you feel at home as much as possible. I really enjoy being a volunteer and I'm glad to be a part of RVC!

My name is Larisa. I have a background in biology and physiology and graduated from the Uzbek National University. Currently, I work at the Institute of Immunology and Human Genomics. My heart is filled with passions, and I am always on the lookout for new hobbies: embroidery, knitting, painting, hiking, and board games are just a few of my diverse interests. Three years ago, my son started attending the "Mazal-Tov" program. It's an amazing initiative that opens up a world of knowledge and creativity to children. Within this program, they expand their horizons, learn to communicate, create crafts, and participate in exciting contests. "Mazal-Tov" sessions enrich children with life experiences and valuable skills. I would like to contribute to "Mazal-Tov" by introducing children to the fascinating world of microscopy. Imagine how interesting it would be for children to discover how ordinary things look in a microscopic scale. Every little explorer asks themselves, "What's happening inside?"

My name is Irina, I have a wonderful son who has a disability. I know very well how sometimes additional moral and material help are needed to give the necessary attention to such kids. At some point, I realized that many people's life situations are more difficult than mine. Also, I have an experience that I want to share with others, especially with those who are in dire need of it. Every time I hear "Thank you", I realize that I haven't lived the day in vain. During my volunteering at the Gomel Jewish Volunteer Center, I realized that the team of volunteers is my big family! I never thought that people who have almost nothing in common could come together like this.

Taras Alexander is a true hero of our time. His volunteer work in the city of Rybnitsa has been ongoing for more than 10 years. During this time, he has managed to help numerous people in need of support.

The primary focus of his work is assisting elderly individuals. Alexander regularly helps them with grocery shopping, especially those who cannot manage this task on their own. He delivers food packages to the addresses of less mobile Hesed clients, ensuring they have the necessary food supplies.

In addition, Alexander actively participates in the "From Generation to Generation" project, which aims to engage with elderly people. He calls them, inquires about their well-being, shares his news, and simply spends time in pleasant conversations. This is particularly important for the elderly, who often feel lonely and in need of attention.

However, Taras Alexander's assistance is not limited to elderly people alone. He also helps individuals understand gadgets, such as computers and smartphones. Many elderly people face difficulties in adapting to new technologies, and Alexander gladly shares his knowledge and experience, helping them become proficient with these devices.

For Alexander, volunteer work is not just a job; it is a way of life. He emphasizes that the most important thing for him is connecting with people, empathizing, and providing the necessary support. He strives to find an individual approach to each person to genuinely assist them.

People like Taras Alexander make a significant contribution to our society. Their kindness, empathy, and readiness to help set an example for all of us. Thanks to such volunteers, the world becomes a better and kinder place, and people receive the necessary support and care.

My name is Vanessa, I am 23 years old, and I am always in search of diverse development. Working in a restaurant is my main occupation, but in addition to that, I strive to dedicate time to self-education and professional growth. By taking various courses, participating in online classes and training sessions, I aim to become more competent and learn more about different areas.

One of the key projects I am involved in is "Your District." It is a wonderful opportunity for me to engage in creativity, where I can apply my skills and creativity. This project has given me the chance to explore art therapy and feel useful by helping others through the creative process.

It is through this project that I also became acquainted with volunteering. I am fascinated by the variety of tasks to be performed: helping people, seeing visible results of my work – that is what motivates me every day.

The volunteer center has become more than just a place where I can spend time productively. It is a place where I have found new acquaintances, opportunities to develop my project, and a space where I feel I can contribute to something greater.

I am a volunteer, I like to write prose, act on stage or put on small plays.

My volunteer career started with a Shabbat at home of an elderly single woman, who has hearing problems. I also worked with children with disabilities.

I do volunteering because I like to make people happier, make them smile, give them attention and let them understand their importance. I also like to feel that people need me while helping them.

At the moment I am working on creating a project for BBYO and I have already two ready-made projects.

My name is Baronina Elena. In 2019, I graduated from the State Conservatory of Uzbekistan, majoring in Academic Singing under the guidance of Professor Mukhamedov Galina Iminovna. After graduation, I started working at the State Theater of Musical Comedy (Operetta) of Uzbekistan as a Soloist-Vocalist. A year later, I also became a teacher at the "Theatrical Dance Studio at the Operetta Theater."

My students never miss classes and enthusiastically participate in all the projects of our studio. We have performed on the stage of the State Theater of Musical Comedy (Operetta) of Uzbekistan, where we were warmly welcomed by the audience. Additionally, we always enjoy performing at concerts organized by the "Jewish Renaissance" project of the "Joint" Branch in Uzbekistan. There, we experience a pleasant, warm, family atmosphere, and the audience is kind and responsive. We love performing and exchanging experiences with the "Shoshanim" Theatrical Dance Studio of the "Jewish Renaissance" project.

Looking forward to new meetings in our joint projects!

I am a journalist. Listening is an important part of my profession. Listening is also necessary in volunteering, and I started to be a volunteer by making calls to lonely elderly people, and congratulating them on their birthday. Despite the fact that the congratulation was informally and quickly said, I invented every wish individually for everyone. I felt on the other end of the line that wards were happy and smiled a lot during the phone call. And they had a desire to tell a little bit more about themselves.

Then there was created by chance “There is Time” project of the League of Volunteers by EJCC Menorah. This is the project, in which I was completely in. And it seems to me, that I brought it to the highest point. I had various interesting tasks: to come up with what dishes to cook from the Jewish cuisine, arrange everything, find interested residents, held a delicious master class. Is this altruism? Maybe it is. Sharing energy and knowledge is altruistic for sure!