Volunteer at the Bear Sanctuary
Bears have had a tough time of it in Romania. It's early days for animal rights legislation and until recently it was normal to see them forced into cages for tourism, made to dance in the streets or used as circus performers. This sanctuary in Brasov rehabilitates bears after years of misery, and it's fantastic to see them living happier, healthier lives.
What will I do in Romania?
The Carpathians really are one of Europe’s last wild places - home to brown bears and wolves - and this brand-new sanctuary houses around 50 bears at a time. You need to be a jack-of-all-trades, enjoy being outdoors in all weathers, relish physical work and - of course - to be passionate about bears. The way the centre works means that spare hands are always needed, so the placement is pretty flexible - volunteers are welcome to stay from 2 weeks to 3 months.
Brasov, the capital of Transylvania in the Carpathians, is a beautiful little walled city surrounded by modern suburbs. You will stay in the centre of the town in a flat, shared with other volunteers, and may share a room.
Volunteers staying for two or more months receive some basic Romanian language lessons. Our rep Razvan informally organises trip to the local sights to Dracula’s castle and other places, if you want to go for minimal cost.
‘[The placement] was 'more than I could ever have hoped - to have so much fun, to meet such amazing people and live in such a wonderful place. And obviously I adored the bears!' (Emily Barclay, 2008) Read our blog for more information.
Getting there
Your placements have been arranged by Razvan, who will often be the one meeting you at Bucharest airport and driving you the 2-3 hours up to Brasov to settle you into your flat. You will live with other volunteers and you may be sharing a room. You will have a couple of days to visit the various projects and find your way around Brasov.
Representative
Razvan
A perfect English speaker and probably the most dynamic person you will ever meet, Razvan has run our Romania programme since 2003. A veteran rep - he has dealt with almost 200 volunteers so far - he always goes way beyond his Oyster job description, organising wonderful trips (to Dracula’s castle and the Black Sea among others) for participants. He was personally involved in the fundraising and subsequent building of one local orphanage and champions both the bear sanctuary and children’s homes.
Supporting you
It doesn’t matter if you’re a short- or long-term volunteer, you still get full support from Razvan, who is there to steer you through any difficulties. You will see him regularly at work and informal outings and his aim is to ensure that you have a happy and productive time in Romania.
‘[(The programme] was excellent, very reliable, flexible enough to keep volunteers using the best of their abilities. The representative is brilliant. It's no surprise so many people return to Romania and with Oyster. I definitely will.' (Tamsin Clube, 2007)
Accommodation
You will be based in Brasov living in a comfortable, central flat that Oyster will rent for you and your fellow volunteers. Please expect to share a room. You can go out or cook for yourself in the evening.
We believe that living in relative comfort is important and should help you unwind when you are working hard.
Short term volunteers for the bear sanctuary can be placed in very central comfortable hotel or self catering accommodation.
Cost and what is provided
Shorter placements in the bear sanctuary are available from £995 (exc. flights)
2 weeks between October to March is £995
2 weeks between April to September is £1145
Extra £250 for each week up to 1 month, Extra month £375.00 - subject to availability
What is Provided?
EU VAT at 17.5% on UK cost elements
- Interview & informal briefing
- Placement briefing day covering care work issues and placement advice
- Help and advice from our UK office before and after departure
- Finding you a suitable volunteer placement, organizing your accommodation, liaising with our contacts in Romania
- Return ticket with flexible return date (modest fee levied by airline for date changes). Reduced price if you find your own way from UK to Brasov
- Transportation to your accommodation from the airport.
- Accommodation costs in a shared central apartment.
- Assistance and support from our representative whilst on your placement including regular social ‘meet ups’
- Basic Romanian tuition
- Donation to projects
- Excludes food (approx. £1.50 per day)
What do I need?
- A passport valid for 6 months after your planned return
- Insurance (we can recommend a specific policy)
- Cost of changing your return flight date if you need to (approx £30)
- Independent travel costs or cost of journey to airport (about £5 by bus) at end of placement
- All UK travel costs (to the interview, pre-departure course and the airport - usually a London airport)
- If you want to combine Childcare and Bear work - medical tests before departure (expect to pay a fee to your doctor)
- If you want to combine Childcare and Bear work - Criminal Record Bureau check (approx £30)
- Cost of food and going out (£25-£50 per week dependent on lifestyle)
And one more thing...
One of Romania’s more wonderful secrets is its monasteries and nunneries, not only because of their fine wall paintings but because monks and nuns often provide delicious organic meals.
