My Jewish history began with my great-grandmother, who was a Polish Jewess. When they moved to live in Ukraine, all documents indicated that they were Ukrainians. However, they did not forget about their traditions and kept them, which was passed on to my family. My husband has Jewish roots and is an Israeli citizen. For him, the traditions and culture of his people are very important, and he introduces our family to Jewish holidays and traditions. I am originally from Ukraine, but due to the war in my home country, I had to move to Chisinau with my two sons Roman (16 years old) and Maxim (11 years old). At first it was very difficult - a new city, everything is new. But I managed, and for almost a year now we have been living in Chisinau. Looking back, I remember how difficult, difficult and dangerous our departure was, since my city of Kherson was at that time, and there were battles. Immediately upon arrival in Moldova, I began to look for the Jewish community, as it was important for me to learn more about Jewishness, which would help me continue to live in Israel, because it is not in vain that they say that all Jews return to their native lands in Israel. Attending a Hebrew course was my first step in introducing and getting to know KEDEM. I began to learn about the projects and activities that exist there. Our whole family became actively involved in the life of the community, trying to attend all the events. My children are involved in many projects according to their age - Roman is actively involved in Haverim projects, and Maxim attends meetings within Haverim Junior, and they are delighted. I can say that the RVC Volunteer Center gave us life back! I am an RVC volunteer because I love people and I love helping! I learned about the volunteer center back in the summer, at the ANAVIM festival, and began to get acquainted with projects, choosing activities that were interesting for me. Now I'm part of a volunteer center. Since I don't currently have a full-time job, I have started to devote more time to RVC projects. As a professional psychologist, I chose to volunteer with the elderly and demented people because I understand how to work with them. In addition, I help to organize women's groups within the framework of the project "About self-love", so that every woman can feel confident and love herself. I want to express my gratitude to KEDEM and the Republican Volunteer Center for the opportunity not only to help people and make them happy, but also to develop myself and learn new things.

My name is Vladimir Neznaiko, I am a student of the Anton Chekhov POTL and I am an active participant in the volunteer movement at the Republican Volunteer Center (RVC). My story began when I accidentally found out about RVC through my friends. I was looking for ways to get involved in charitable causes and help those in need when I came across information about RVC volunteering. This was a great opportunity for me to do a good deed and contribute to public life. More than six months have passed since then, and I continue to actively participate in various RVC events. I helped with logistics at various mass events, participated in the organization of Good Deeds Day 2023, collected food for the people in need, organized and hosted classes for children and much more. Why RVC? In this volunteer center, a huge number of projects are focused on helping members of the Jewish community, and here I can get closer to the culture of the Jewish people. My great-grandparents were Jewish, but like most stories from that time, their papers have been weathered, blown away by the winds of time, and eventually lost. By helping out on RVC projects, I can be closer to my historical roots. I like the volunteer movement for its diversity, emotional involvement, and depth. Here I meet many different people, work in a team with like-minded people, learn about different cultures and social problems. It makes my life more meaningful and more interesting. What I especially appreciate in the volunteer movement is that here I can contribute to solving social problems and help people in difficult life situations. It gives me a sense of satisfaction and pride in my contribution to the common good. I am sure that the volunteer movement is useful not only for society, but also for the volunteers themselves. It helps to develop and expand horizons, set new goals and achieve them. I believe that each person can contribute to the common cause and become better, and volunteering is one of the most effective ways to do this.

Hello! My name is Maxim Valutsa, I'm 34 years old, and I am a volunteer at the Kishinev Volunteer Center. My journey to volunteering was relatively short—this activity became the result of my desire to develop social connections and help other people. By profession, I am a translator, which, to some extent, implies studying other nations and their traditions.

I have had a long-standing interest in the Jewish people and Israel. I have always been impressed by the achievements demonstrated by its representatives in various fields on the world stage. Despite their small number, the role of the Jewish people is challenging to overestimate. The desire to learn more about Jewish culture and traditions prompted me to visit our synagogue. I sincerely hope that someday I will be able to visit Israel!

How did I join RVC? It happened in July 2023. At a certain point, I wanted to learn more about the Jewish cultural community, and I turned to the KEDEM website. I called the number provided, and eventually, I was invited to a meeting where Avital detailed how KEDEM's activities are organized. On the same day, I met with the coordinator of the call center, Eugene, who told me about the volunteer center.

I won't hide that I was very interested in getting to know the volunteers, so I attended a meeting with new volunteers where Alexandra Frecautsan thoroughly explained RVC's volunteer activities and projects. This meeting was decisive for me! Alexandra literally ignited in me the desire to help other people and bring them joy!

Now, on my volunteer record, there is participation in various RVC projects: delivering assistance to the elderly, participating in Shabbat meetings, working in the call center, environmental activities, and more. Special training sessions and seminars greatly help improve my volunteering skills. I've already had the opportunity to participate in two such events – in Vadul lui Voda and Truskavets, where I met like-minded people and experienced incredible emotions.

I can confidently say that volunteering has turned my life around and made me think about important things. I am glad to be part of RVC and to be able to be helpful to others. It brings me immense pleasure!

My name is Nadya, I'm 18 years old, and I attend a high school. I've always been interested in volunteer work but didn't know where to start. I learned about RVC in June from a friend who invited me to one of the volunteer projects. That's when my journey as a volunteer began. I was deeply inspired and filled with emotions by the people and their kindness. I wanted to try myself in other projects and learn more. That's how I joined this large team of volunteers.

During the summer, I volunteered as a logistics coordinator at a triathlon championship. Along with other volunteers, we supported the athletes, cheered them on, and energized them. Sports volunteering is a completely different world because it's filled with a desire to win, fatigue, motivation, and much more. I've never experienced the kind of fulfillment and energy anywhere else. It makes you feel like you're a part of something big and important. You realize how your efforts influence the development of sports and the world in general. The experience I gained through volunteering not only helps in my volunteer activities but also provides personal growth and opportunities to apply these skills in all areas of life.

What touches me the most about volunteering is how people come together to do something good for complete strangers. It makes me believe in kindness and humanity. The openness and willingness of other volunteers to guide, help, and explain things have charmed me. The overall atmosphere of ease and friendliness in RVC makes you feel comfortable and motivates you to do good deeds. You always want to come back here, not only for volunteering but also for the opportunity to meet new friends and conversationalists.

To those who want to start volunteering, I can advise you not to be afraid to reach out, ask questions, and learn the details. You will always be welcomed, and they will help you find your path in volunteering.

Hello, my name is Olga Beller, and I have been a volunteer at the Republican Volunteer Center since March 2024. My journey into volunteering lasted 1.5 years, during which, after moving to Moldova in July 2022, I tried to adapt to the new country and put my experience in organizing events for people of all ages to good use. The Volunteer Center has become a place for me where my skills and experience are gratefully accepted, and where like-minded people await, for whom helping those in need is more than just words.

In March 2024, I became part of the friendly RVC team, and my duties included working in the Call Center as well as delivering food packages. A great help in fulfilling my volunteer duties was obtaining a Moldovan driver's license, which allowed my husband Vladimir Vasilenko and me to actively participate in Good Deeds Day, delivering "Healthy Breakfast" food packages to our beneficiaries.

Congratulating people on Pesach from April 22 to 29 also brought me many positive emotions in return. I enjoy working in the Call Center: I love communicating with people, informing them about various events, congratulating them on holidays, and providing necessary information support. I am happy that I once made the right decision to become part of the large RVC team!

Hi all! My name is Mititelu Valentina, I am 16 years old and I am a first-year student at a teacher training college. I learned about the Republican Volunteer Center from my friend and started volunteering almost two years ago. My first project was called "Limba Noastră" where I taught Romanian to children. Participation in this project helped me become more punctual and responsible, as I realized that I have obligations that I should fulfill. In the volunteer movement, I especially like communication with different people, regardless of their age and interests. I love to learn something new and develop, as well as help people and see their smiles after helping. During my participation in the projects, I met a lot of wonderful people and there were many pleasant stories. One of them happened during the delivery of new phones. To old people. We helped them figure it out by explaining how each program worked. It was very interesting to listen to their stories that happened to them throughout their lives, and it's very nice to see smiles and joy on their faces. I understood that our communication was necessary for the elderly, and it brought pleasure to both of us. I am proud of my decision to become a volunteer at the Republican Volunteer Center, and I do not regret my choice at all. Activities at the RVC brought me new knowledge, a large number of interesting acquaintances and vast experience of working with people.

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.

Hello, my name is Maria Barmina.

My desire to develop myself and interact more with people led me to volunteering, and the first step was participating in the "Bring a Smile" project, where I was invited by a friend. That's when I got acquainted with the Republican Volunteer Center and realized that it was the place where I could express myself and learn something new. The first experience turned out to be successful, so I decided to continue my volunteer activities.

In six months of volunteering, I have had the opportunity to participate in various projects. Within the "Call Center" project, we called elderly clients, communicated with them, and found out what assistance they needed. I also worked with children in a kindergarten and continued active participation in the "Bring a Smile" project. Each project requires deep immersion and encourages the discovery of new talents.

In addition to participating in projects, I attended a seminar for volunteers at the Volunteer School Hub, where we were taught how to launch and implement new projects. I am grateful to the center for giving me the opportunity to discover new facets of my personality by participating in various volunteer initiatives. For me, RVC has become a home where I am awaited by close friends and like-minded people. Together, we are capable of a lot, capable of changing people's lives for the better, and we do it every day! Now I can proudly say "I am a volunteer" and invite everyone to become part of our friendly team!

Hello, my name is Komleva Tatyana, and for more than two years, I have been a member of the big and friendly family of the Republican Volunteer Center (RVC). I first learned about the center's activities at the "Volunteer School" seminar, which took place in Vadul-lui-Vodă. It was there that I felt the spirit of volunteering and decided to embark on this path.

One of the first events I participated in was Good Deeds Day, during which our team visited a nursing home to bring treats and share the joy of personal interaction. My active communication with the elderly continued within the ITbabushka project, where we taught them the basics of using a computer. Later, I joined the ITded project, where we helped them learn how to use smartphones.

Another project I take part in is the "Origins of Mercy" program. As a volunteer, I visit an elderly beneficiary who, over time, has become truly dear to me. The gratitude of those you help is an immense motivation and a truly valuable reward!

I grew up in a Jewish family, attended a Jewish kindergarten and school, so participating in RVC and KEDEM programs has been a wonderful opportunity to honor the traditions of my people while also developing my Jewish identity and remaining part of a united community.

Hello, my name is Zlata Volynchuk, and since the summer of 2024, I’ve been a member of the big family of the Republican Volunteer Center. I first heard about the center from a classmate, and at that time I was drawn to the idea of becoming a volunteer and helping those in need. Now I participate in several projects.

I regularly call clients as part of the Call Center project. I enjoy talking to people and informing them about upcoming events. I also help organize events held at RVC and KEDEM. This activity allows me to explore what goes on behind the scenes and learn everything that experienced organizers know. I love seeing how much joy our guests experience and knowing that I played a part in that.

Another project I take part in is the English language learning program in the Jewish kindergarten. I help young children learn a foreign language to expand their future communication opportunities — because today, the world is open to each of us.

RVC has become a place for me where new friendships and knowledge flourish. But most importantly, it’s a place where helping others takes on a real, tangible form, and kindness becomes more than just an abstract idea. Our team is ready to lend a hand and can solve almost any task! Additionally, the volunteer center helped me discover the depth and importance of Jewish traditions. I’m so glad I once chose this path and I invite everyone to join our team!

Hi all! My name is Victoria, I am 28 years old. For more than 8 years I have been a volunteer in the Republican Volunteer Center. There was a time when I came here from time to time, but in 2019 I returned to volunteering in full force by participating in the Good Deeds Day. I believe that such large-scale events are a very convenient and suitable opportunity for those who want to try their hand at volunteering. I do volunteer work in my free time from my full-time job and other hobbies. I love creativity and I coordinate 2 wonderful projects: "IT Grandmother", where my friends, colleagues, and I teach older people computer skills, and "Our hands can do everything" - art workshops where everyone can try new techniques or remember what he once knew. Master classes are held online for both volunteers and elderly clients of Hesed. For me, volunteering is not only mutual assistance, but also an opportunity for self-development and communication. Everyone can share their knowledge and skills, even if they are not an expert or a master. Every contribution is important, no matter how small it is. I believe that such an atmosphere reigns in the Republican Volunteer Center, and this is one of the reasons why we all love this organization so much. The second reason is the connection with Jewish traditions, culture and community. This is exactly the place that allows me to be closer to my roots! Grow and help make this world a better place!

My name is Angela Shuruba, and I am a volunteer at the Republican Volunteer Center (RVC). My main occupation is working as a salesperson. I used to work at the "Zorile" shoe manufacturing enterprise.

I learned about RVC by chance when I attended events at KEDEM. I was looking for an opportunity to get closer to my roots, study the history and culture of the Jewish people, and participate in Jewish life. When I asked about educational programs at KEDEM, I was given a few phone numbers and invited to have a chat. Later, I filled out an application and gradually became part of the RVC team because I found here what I was looking for—a warm, friendly atmosphere, a wonderful team, educational and creative programs, the support of a psychologist, assistance to the elderly, and the opportunity to interact with interesting people.

While my children were little, my daughter and son attended an art club and took part in youth programs. Currently, I'm more drawn to KEDEM's activities, and I've become a volunteer at RVC.

I love the projects I'm involved in; they fill me with joy. Communicating with the elderly, whether in person or over the phone, is an opportunity to help them feel less lonely and to let them know that they will always have support and assistance. That's why I volunteer in the Call Center direction of the "Friendship by Phone" project and "Sources of Mercy." I accompany the elderly to the store or on walks.

"Regardless of how wealthy you are, you can always share with others." That's what volunteering is all about—having the opportunity to do a good deed, whether it's sharing your time, experience, or even just a kind smile. It's what I can do, and it makes me a bit better.