Find out what our Oyster volunteers are saying about their time volunteering with kids in Romania in these Oyster reviews

Tasmin Clube, 3 months April 2007

“There is a great choice of placements and this means that volunteers can use their skills as well as challenging themselves. The programme is excellent and flexible enough to keep volunteers using the best of their abilities. Oyster had flight, living and work arrangements efficiently organised. It’s no surprise that so many people return to Romania and with Oyster. I definitely will.”

Laura Marzaroli, 3 months August 2007
“My time in Romania taught me so much; I made new friends and learnt new life skills that have proved invaluable in new jobs and difficult situations. I will definitely be making every effort to return as soon as possible!”

Annie Stevens, 3 months January 2008
“The children I worked with are unforgettable; I shall always remember their smiling faces, and their constant resilience to whatever was thrown their way. I remember them always being so happy to see me as if I was Father Christmas with loads of presents; one of the family homes houses 9 children aged 3 to 8 and as soon as I rang the gate door bell I would hear shouts and screams of “Annie! Annie!” then as I stepped through the door I would have nine pairs of arms around me, pushing each other to try to get nearer. These children were lovely, even though sometimes very boisterous they were forever making me laugh. The other family home I worked at was for children with more severe special needs; there might not have been much recognition of who I was but they were still really pleased to see me. In the homes, the staff are constantly busy and don’t always have time to play with each child as they have to spend most of their time looking after the children’s’ physical needs, so the volunteers play with them and give the crucial one-to-one affection and attention. It was through the efforts of the volunteers that a 4 year old girl with Down’s syndrome learned to walk when the doctors said it was unlikely. I was lucky enough to see her first steps without assistance and see her grow in confidence and start to explore her surroundings; I can’t explain how it was to see her do this, I don’t think I’ve ever done something so worthwhile and rewarding, it was amazing. I also worked in the state children hospital alongside a play therapist on a ward of about 30-40 babies and older children up to the age of 16. Some parents have trouble getting to the hospital or are just too busy, so many of the babies would have to stay in their cots all day with no stimulation and interaction if it wasn’t for the volunteers – it made me feel so needed as these children were so desperate for comfort and support. I loved my time in Romania and was so sad to leave; Brasov (the city where I lived) was so beautiful and scenic and full of character.

Oyster was brilliant – very supportive and the representative in Romania was so helpful and made the transition much easier, helping us with any problems and the language (as most phrases I needed for looking after the kids were not found in common tourist phrase books!). I truly can’t wait to return, it was one of the best experiences of my life and has made me really appreciate what I have from seeing children that have nothing, and I would recommend it to anyone.”

Hannah Loxley, 3 months July 2008
“The best part of the placement was being able to see the kids laugh and smile – especially at Codlea. Also seeing Flori progress in her walking and seeing Marian slowly being able to hold his head up for longer!”

Reima Pryor, 4 weeks June 2011

“I had a great time in Romania. Your warm and friendly approach is what made me go ‘yes I will do this, and with Oyster’. I made some nice friends with the kids, with some staff and with some others that Razvan linked me in with. Razvan is a really lovely and fun guy and was very good and professional in his role. I had a few great laughs with him, which helped to ‘make’ my trip. He kept in touch by phone and made me feel comfortable to ask for anything I needed.
I know I personally really appreciated the opportunity to just hang out with the kids and build relationships (even without common language!). They were beautiful and enriched my life in that short time. Children bring so much to your life, and are so vulnerable, and what happens in those early years has such  bearing on their life outcomes. So, the experience has been wonderful for me both personally and professionally.

Thanks again to you and Razvan for arranging my experience, which as you can hear, has been really wonderful for me.”

For more information about this project, check out our volunteering with kids in Romania web page on the Oyster Worldwide website.