Romanian teenager sets example for her peers
Nowadays, we know that a child’s personality is determined by a mixture of factors that have to do with genetics, environment and education. Access to a supportive environment, knowledge and role models can help children and adolescents develop positively and become strong, reliable members of society.
Acknowledging this, over the last decade, the community development project developed by World Vision Romania in five rural communities in Iasi County (north eastern Romania) has aimed to build stronger communities by supporting and teaching them to better work together for their own benefit and, more importantly, for the benefit of their children. This has led to the birth of a new generation of children and adolescents that understand that change is not only necessary but also possible.
“I strongly believe that, by getting involved in different activities that can positively impact the community and by being an example, one can change attitudes and encourage others to do the same”, says 17-year-old Corina Asavoaie who has been sponsored by World Vision since she was a little girl.
This summer, after participating in a training session on volunteering organised by World Vision, Corina wrote and implemented a small ecological project in her community, with the support of one of her friends and that of the World Vision social worker based in Aroneanu commune.
I strongly believe that by being an example, one can change attitudes and encourage others to do the same“At first it was very hard and we felt discouraged as people were not eager to help. But that didn’t stop us and, after cleaning parts of the village ourselves, people took our example and started to get involved”, she shares.
Corina’s involvement in activities benefiting children and her community is not limited to this one occasion. In April 2010, she became actively involved in a ‘book raising’ campaign organised by World Vision. Together with a team of teenagers, Corina managed to collect more than 2,300 books that were donated to the public library in Golaiesti village.
“I don’t really know what fires my will to take action and do things that positively impact my community but I know that World Vision has a lot to do with it. World Vision gave me the first impulse and I have acted on it. Now, I hope that I will be able to inspire or motivate others to do the same”, Corina acknowledges.
After supporting communities in Iasi County, World Vision Romania has taken on a new challenge – that of doing the same for the children in Vaslui County; one of Romania’s poorest Counties and also situated in the north east of the country.
Here, children like Vladut (9), Nicoleta (11), Sebastian (8) or Denis (6) are still afraid to hope and dream about a future that can be different from the harsh reality that their family is now living in. For these children, concepts such as community development, participation, career etc. are just words. Hopefully, with World Vision’s support, they will develop into active members of their community – just like Corina.
Acknowledging this, over the last decade, the community development project developed by World Vision Romania in five rural communities in Iasi County (north eastern Romania) has aimed to build stronger communities by supporting and teaching them to better work together for their own benefit and, more importantly, for the benefit of their children. This has led to the birth of a new generation of children and adolescents that understand that change is not only necessary but also possible.
“I strongly believe that, by getting involved in different activities that can positively impact the community and by being an example, one can change attitudes and encourage others to do the same”, says 17-year-old Corina Asavoaie who has been sponsored by World Vision since she was a little girl.
This summer, after participating in a training session on volunteering organised by World Vision, Corina wrote and implemented a small ecological project in her community, with the support of one of her friends and that of the World Vision social worker based in Aroneanu commune.
I strongly believe that by being an example, one can change attitudes and encourage others to do the same“At first it was very hard and we felt discouraged as people were not eager to help. But that didn’t stop us and, after cleaning parts of the village ourselves, people took our example and started to get involved”, she shares.
Corina’s involvement in activities benefiting children and her community is not limited to this one occasion. In April 2010, she became actively involved in a ‘book raising’ campaign organised by World Vision. Together with a team of teenagers, Corina managed to collect more than 2,300 books that were donated to the public library in Golaiesti village.
“I don’t really know what fires my will to take action and do things that positively impact my community but I know that World Vision has a lot to do with it. World Vision gave me the first impulse and I have acted on it. Now, I hope that I will be able to inspire or motivate others to do the same”, Corina acknowledges.
After supporting communities in Iasi County, World Vision Romania has taken on a new challenge – that of doing the same for the children in Vaslui County; one of Romania’s poorest Counties and also situated in the north east of the country.
Here, children like Vladut (9), Nicoleta (11), Sebastian (8) or Denis (6) are still afraid to hope and dream about a future that can be different from the harsh reality that their family is now living in. For these children, concepts such as community development, participation, career etc. are just words. Hopefully, with World Vision’s support, they will develop into active members of their community – just like Corina.
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