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!

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 Nikolai Lovin. I am a cadet at the Military Academy of the Republic of Moldova. Summer vacation has given me free time, and I decided that I want to use it wisely. My goal is to leave a mark in this world that I could be proud of, so I decided to try myself in volunteering. I chose to volunteer at the Republican Volunteer Center RVC. Coming here, I learned that RVC is located in the building of the Jewish Community Center KEDEM, and I understood that this is what I need. The historical connection with my great-grandfather, who was a Jew from Odessa, reinforced my confidence in this choice. This decision promised me the opportunity to get closer to Jewish values and continue their development within myself. My first steps in volunteering turned out to be very interesting and important. By participating in various events, I gradually integrated into the team. The triathlon championship particularly stood out to me, where I got to see how events are organized from the inside, and the "Origins of Mercy" seminar, which expanded my horizons and provided valuable skills in working with the elderly. The project with children at the "Sévivon" kindergarten impressed me especially. It was an opportunity to immerse myself in Jewish culture and bond with the children. Volunteering not only gave me new knowledge and skills, it changed me. I realized that doing good is not only important but also truly simple. Every time I participate in projects, I find meaning and joy in this time, improving the world around me and bringing smiles and happiness to people.

My name is Oleg Zaharia. My wife Elena and I have been volunteers at the Center for two years now, participating in the "Healthy Vitamin Box" project. Within the framework of the project, we deliver food packages to elderly individuals in need.

It can be said that our daughter led us to volunteering. She attended children's programs organized by RVC volunteers. We were grateful to the volunteers who were willing to share their time and knowledge with the children, and we decided that we could be useful too.

Volunteering brings us immense pleasure. We deliver food packages to elderly people for whom both material and moral support are important. Our beneficiaries willingly share their thoughts with us, talk about their hobbies and interests. After such visits, we feel that we are doing something very important and we experience joy in improving the lives of elderly people.

Some of our beneficiaries have become our regular clients, and we have established truly friendly relationships with them. From them, we learn a lot about the history and traditions of the Jewish people, which helps us remember our roots.

For us, volunteering is an opportunity to make the lives of other people better, to help and support those in need. Moreover, it sets a great example for our children, who, by looking at their parents, learn kindness and compassion towards others. Additionally, volunteering helps strengthen and maintain connections within the community. We are very glad that we once chose this path for ourselves!

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 everyone, my name is Sergey Melnichenko, I am 19 years old and I am studying at the University of Economics. Before I found out about the RVC, I visited the Haverim youth platform, where on one of the Sabbaths I was offered to join the volunteer center. After some time, I decided to join the ranks of volunteers. I have always believed that I can help the world, although not on a global scale, but still somehow make it better little by little. I joined the RVC team about six months ago and managed to participate in a variety of activities. At the moment, I mainly work in the ITKIDS project, where I teach computer literacy and IT skills to children, but in the future I am ready to try myself in other areas. Also, sometimes I participate in the delivery of food packages for the elderly and in environmental campaigns. What I like about volunteering is that everything is done from the heart. I do what I love and as a results I bring joy to others as well as myself. It is like a reward to see smiles on their faces. Nothing compares to the true happiness of a person. I believe that kindness can save this world. I hope that I will be able to do what I truly love for a long time. Volunteering teaches a lot. For example, once at the ITKIDS project, I was supposed to be replaced for a day, but the volunteers could not come. In such a situation, I had to quickly react and find a way to fix the situation and fortunately everything went smoothly. This experience taught me to always have a back up plan.

My name is Arina Baboglo, and I am a relatively new volunteer.

I have only been volunteering for 2 months, but the experience I have gained during this time would be enough for a year! I had the opportunity to explore the backstage of projects, acting as the logistics coordinator for the event "Love Story (2.0)". Thanks to this, I saw how much effort goes into each volunteer initiative, how much needs to be planned and considered to ensure that the project comes out in a magnificent "wrapper". This experience has been invaluable for me in terms of event preparation.

Volunteering helps you find new friends and like-minded people, as well as teaches you to work in a team and take responsibility. Moreover, you can try on various roles. I have been a teacher for children, a coordinator for projects and initiatives, and I am sure that many more exciting roles await me in the future. I enjoy the atmosphere in the volunteer center. Also, I like feeling like a member of a large and friendly team and knowing that I am making a real contribution to the common cause of helping those in need!

My name is Elizaveta, or Liza for short.

In 2022, due to a chain of random events, I joined the Republican Volunteer Center as a volunteer for the "Call Center" project due to the military crisis in Ukraine, and this moment significantly influenced my life thereafter.

After completing work with clients from Ukraine, I also began participating in projects aimed at interacting with various age groups from our country. Throughout the summer of 2022, I taught drawing lessons to children from the Jewish kindergarten, and besides that, I had the opportunity to participate several times in the "IT-Grandparent" project aimed at increasing technological literacy among the elderly. I also participated as an interviewer and copywriter in the "20th Century Kishinevians" project, and later became part of the initial composition of the Jewish youth theater "Dor." Among the recent projects, I can mention "IMPRO-media," where, under the careful guidance of Viki and Nata, a large team of volunteers created an animated film dedicated to the holiday of Purim, which gave me the opportunity to try myself in various production formats: dubbing, script writing and editing, as well as recording musical accompaniment.

Honestly, now it's difficult for me to remember all the projects in which I was involved in one way or another, but I can confidently say that all of them had an undeniable and extremely significant influence on me and my personal development.

I am very glad that I became a volunteer at RVC, because it was here that I got acquainted with Jewish culture and unexpectedly discovered the presence of Jewish roots on my father's side, which I had not suspected or thought about before.

Thanks to RVC, I attended the wonderful family Jewish festival "Anavim" and subsequently began attending the Jewish youth platform "Haverim," which gave me a huge boost in understanding my Jewish identity.

If not for all these elements, I would hardly ever have had the opportunity to participate in organizing and conducting large-scale events such as Community Shabbats, Avdalas, or off-site events, such as the volunteer conference in Ukraine or the "Generations Shabbaton: Festive Tishrei" as a madrich.

In conclusion, I can only say that I am very happy and grateful to fate for introducing me to such a wonderful community and such wonderful, friendly people who have truly become close friends to me and my loving family. I like "KEDEM" because here you are accepted as you are, and all your skills find application in the most suitable and interesting format, including for yourself. As a teenager, I was able to acquire a huge amount of skills and knowledge necessary for the future, and I really feel that I am developing my potential, so I want to express my immense love, respect, and gratitude to all those whom we encountered in one way or another on this path!

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!