24 years old

Reception document service assistant.

Hobbies: I write poems, prose and I enjoy being photographed.

My volunteer career began when I was at school in 11th grade. My friend and I signed up for an action against extremism and drug trafficking. We walked around ​​the district and made photos of “advertisements” of drugs, smoking mixtures, and various inscriptions such as swastikas, which offend different nationalities. We sent all the information to a police officer.

Later, I was a volunteer in the search and rescue team «Liza Alert» and searched for missing people. I placed announcements about the search, notified the public about the results, and I was also the organizer of the «Memorial Day of the Perished Children» supported by «Lisa Alert».

I wanted to be a volunteer from a Jewish organization, and I learned about the existence of Hesed Ester and the fact that everyone could participate in cleaning the Jewish cemetery. This is very important for me as a Jew, as a member of the community, and it gives me great pleasure to do this activity. There is such a nice and useful action as cleaning the cemetery — thank you so much for it!

Hello! My name is Yaroslava, I am 16 years old and I study in the 10th form of the Theoretical Lyceum "Alexander Pushkin". I enjoy playing the piano, playing sports and writing articles, as I dream of becoming a journalist. A year ago I became interested in volunteering, the war that started in a neighboring country played a big role in this. From February to July 2022, my mother and I actively helped refugees. We prepared a large amount of food and delivered it to those in need. Then I became interested in whether we have volunteer organizations in Moldova and remembered the RVC, which my friend told me about. First, I got into the "School of Volunteers", where I learned from the coordinators what the Republican Volunteer Center is. I liked it right away. I realized that here I can develop myself, learn and gain new skills, communicate and help people, which is what I always wanted. I have been at the RVC for a year now, during which time I managed to try myself in various projects. Most of all I like "Call Center", as well as projects related to children. One of the projects that I lead is "Talking English", where I teach children English in an interactive way. During my activity there were many interesting cases, but most of all I remember the case from the "Clean Chisinau" project. Then we were cleaning the "Eight" park and collected about 15 bags of garbage. We had a real quest to get garbage out of the lake. We understood that it would not be possible to clean everything. Then a man who had nothing to do with volunteering came to help us. He literally climbed into the lake and helped us pull out a large number of bottles and other debris. After the action, we were glad that we managed to clean up the park a little and make it more pleasant. Being engaged in volunteer activities, I feel useful, I feel that people need my help and I believe that volunteering is my calling!

Hi! My name is Arina, I am 17 years old and studying in the 11th grade. I am a volunteer of the Republican Volunteer Center (RVC) in Chisinau. I found out about the RVC by the end of 2019 from a friend, but I couldn’t join because of the pandemic. After, I was indecisive, but then, I made a decision to join the RVC team in June 2022. Looking back at my first interview, I can't help but smile at how afraid I was. During the time of my engagement in the voluntary craft, I managed to take part in many projects of the Russian Exhibition Center, which are aimed both at improving our city and at socializing the elderly and helping children. I managed to participate in the projects “Clean Chisinau”, “Give me a paw”, “Chisinau Citizens of the 20th Century”, host English classes for children in the Jewish kindergarten, and also be a volunteer at the Europe Junior Cup Chisinau 2022 in August. In September, I was lucky to become a member of the VC Festival for 4 cities of our republic. Now, I am helping to coordinate the "Ready for School" project, which allows preschool children to learn the basic knowledge in mathematics and spelling. At the moment, I am also involved in the work of the call center, where I call weekly and inform people about our projects and events. This is not a complete list of what I do at the volunteer center. On the one hand, the RVC is a place where you do volunteer work and get tired of giving yourself away. But on the other hand, this is a place that inspires and fills with new knowledge. For example, here I learned about my Jewish heritage. Quite unexpectedly for me and my family, we found out that my great-grandmother was Jewish. Here I was helped to reconnect with my heritage and feel like a part of a friendly Jewish community. Joining RVC was probably the best decision of my life. Here I met a lot of new people, a couple of whom became my close friends and support. It was here that I learned a lot about Jewish culture, how to communicate with different people, how to work in a team and help others. The Republican Volunteer Center is not just a couple of offices in JCC KEDEM, it is a family and a second home!

Just six months ago, Julia became a mother, but this did not prevent her from being an active volunteer for the Jewish community.  Last year she took part in more than 30 volunteer activities, some of which she had organized herself.  This year, Julia graduated from the “Lehava” program «and her final project was a course of psychological support for the volunteers Hesed Abraham.  The lady is sure that the volunteering is not simply a hand of the help from the strong on the weak, but the ability to live a “full” life.

Victoria Tonkonog is a new and particularly valuable volunteer in the city of Bishkek with her own unique story. At the age of three, she developed a severe disability due to a musculoskeletal system disorder and practically does not leave her home, receiving all the necessary assistance from Hesed.

During the pandemic, Victoria actively communicated with Hesed volunteers, participating in the "Food security," "Let's Connect," and "Holiday in Every Home" programs. Volunteers taught her how to use the internet, take virtual courses on drawing, and save her poetic works (Victoria writes poetry) in electronic format.

In one of the conversations with Hesed staff, Victoria expressed a desire to become a volunteer, fearing that her physical condition might be a hindrance. However, we found a special volunteer role for her—Victoria has been congratulating elderly wards on their birthdays for several months now. She does it creatively, incorporating her artistic approach, and both sides derive pleasure from this experience.

Victoria notes that volunteering gives her a sense of purpose, instills a feeling of involvement in a common cause, the joy of interacting with many people she didn't know before. Hesed's wards always express joy at the attention they receive on their birthdays from Victoria.

Savchenko Evgenia - volunteer and head of household at the State Institution Center of Culture "Vitebsk". She became an active participant in the Your District project, which helped her to understand that she could be helpful for other people. Evgenia participated in various volunteer programs and projects of the Community, and for her it has always been interesting, informative and exciting. As for her values, she believes that Kindness can't be big or small and together, as a team, we can do anything.

Hi all! My name is Nikita Katernyuk, I am 15 years old and I am in the 10th grade. I like making new friends and trying new things. For a long time my main goal was to improve my communication skills, to become a more sociable person. Then I realized that volunteering is a great opportunity for my socialization. After a long search for a suitable volunteer center, I settled on the Republican Volunteer Center (RVC). I have many good memories associated with this place, because even as a child I attended a children's camp from KEDEM, but then I did not yet know about my Jewish roots. When I first came to the RVC, I was struck by the huge number of projects that are aimed at helping the elderly and children. The opportunity to get acquainted with the culture and traditions of the Jewish people, which is provided by the RVC, is also very important for me. For 2 months of my volunteer activity, I managed to participate in such projects and promotions as delivery within the framework of the Healthy Vitamin Box, Call Center, "The Origins of Mercy" seminar, "Love Story", "IT-DED", "All to the museum” and “Chisinau residents of the 20th century”. I try to join all directions of the RVC, but for the most part I specialize in the project "The Origins of Mercy". Volunteering has become a real passion for me, and I am just starting my journey in this field. I am very glad that I am part of the team of the Republican Volunteer Center! It was here that I developed new abilities and talents, and also learned that I am part of the Jewish people. Jewish culture has become very important to me and I will learn more about it.

My name is Elena and I am a volunteer in the "Maagal" community.

For 26 years, I’ve been living with rheumatoid arthritis, to the point where I have a second-degree disability. I have a wonderful husband, two grown sons, and a small elderly dog - all of whom love and often demand attention. And then there’s work and the endless routine so familiar to every woman.

But no, this story isn’t about that. It’s about how, a few years ago, I received a call inviting me to join the "Sipur Volunteers" project. This was my first experience with such work, but I knew that if someone needed my help, I was ready to set aside my pain, work, and household chores, get behind the wheel, and drive to people who didn’t know me but were eagerly waiting for me. I’ll admit, I was a little scared, as I wasn’t sure how I would be received, what I could offer these people beyond a small gift, and what words I could find. But when the door opened, I was greeted with a smile and kind eyes, and our simple greeting turned into a warm conversation over tea and pastries. You begin to forget all your worries, simply dissolving in the warmth emanating from your companion. And this wasn’t just in one house I visited, but in many homes where I now know for sure - I am always welcome.

Now I can say for certain what my story is about. It’s about how, in this crazy pace of life, sometimes you just need to stop and smile at an elderly, lonely person, wish them "Yom Tov," and in return, you will receive far more attention and care than you could ever imagine. That’s the life-giving force everyone needs - just faith, hope, love.

Bespyatova Sofia Meerovna - our most experienced and valuable volunteer! She is a retired citizen and loves to read, knit and study the history and traditions of Jewish culture. Her desire to help people led her to our volunteer center, where she has been helping the community for over 20 years. Her first project was Purim Postman. Sofia wishes that all volunteers would always help those in need with an open heart and soul!

From the very beginning of his volunteer work, Stanislav Lenivkin involved his sons. He wanted to show them how easy it is to do good deeds. Their first step was delivering gifts to Hesed clients in their neighborhood. People always welcomed them warmly, and while the boys were initially shy, they soon became more confident. Often, they were invited for tea, and they couldn't refuse, as attention is the most important thing.

Later, the family participated in the "Zikaron" campaigns—cleaning Jewish cemeteries. They visited Malakhovka, Zapadnaya Dvina, Perlovka, and Tula. These events were always interesting, as they were part educational tours. The boys enjoy working with tools and understand the importance of preserving Jewish memory. This year, their younger sisters joined them in delivering matzah.

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.

Hi, I’m Gil. A narrator, host, guide to the courtyards of Arbat, a volunteer with the "Maagal" movement, and much more.

Every mentally healthy man eventually ponders the meaning of life. If he is truly healthy, he will find it on the path to understanding the Almighty. If not yet — there are other options. Consequently, the question of the meaning of life arises. When I first encountered this question but didn’t know who to turn to or where to go, I decided not to waste time and, just in case, started doing good deeds (which, by the way, turned out to be very useful at all levels).

I've been a volunteer for many years: I visit clients at home, deliver humanitarian and food aid, and bring holiday gifts. I also organize free tours and lead community events.

And how can I do a good deed? Only by doing what I know and for those who need it. It's all very simple.