What is this Corona?

Would you have thought that you’d meet new volunteers this year?

On Friday morning, the 23^rd of October, I got out of bed excited and all I could think about was the weekend and what treasures it held for me. After our arrival, I observed my fellow volunteers with great curiosity, noticing the people I already knew and the ones I’d get to know throughout the event.

We spent the first afternoon with games that were meant to help us to get to know each other and to build trust. We managed to learn more about each other and to compare our different perspectives through different tasks. In the evening, a group went walking around the Bear Lake, others gathered and talked, while some enjoyed the home cinema opportunity. Even during these activities, we paid great attention to each other and learned precious new information.

Unfortunately, the second day kicked off with bad news. The trainer invited to keep the first-aid training had to cancel last minute in order to keep us safe. Everyone was surprised and we were wondering what was about to happen that day and what we would do. The coordinators let us know the spontaneously improvised new plans for the day, which were also very relevant in the current situation. We had faith in the organizers, because they have never let us down before.

In the end, we approached some coronavirus-related topics throughout the day. We had the opportunity to reflect on what it took from us, what it gave us and how we coped with this entire virus situation. We talked about our feelings regarding the topic, the ones we’ve never even noticed before. It was a great eye-opener, helping us realise how this past period has changed us. Hope, struggle, acceptance. Where are we now? How do we feel? Our masks covered our faces mostly, but our eyes revealed everything.

We have examined and shared with each other our resources and different methods used to deal with and overcome our sadness and anger. I consider that these are very useful for everyone.

We have tried to come up with ideas and different ways in which we can keep being active in our volunteering programs, because it is not only them who miss us, but the other way around, too. We miss the children, the elderly and the families.

When the time came, the goodbyes were really emotional and if you paid attention, you could see that some of us even shed a few tears, but we were all aware that next time we meet, we’ll have our arms and hearts wide open to welcome each other.

At the end of the event, I carefully loaded my treasure box with all these valuable moments and took them home with me, so that I can use them in my everyday life from now on.

Réka Szőcs, volunteer in Odorheiu Secuiesc

Despite the fact that there have been major changes in the world since March, the volunteer program at Caritas Alba Iulia has been trying to maintain contact with its volunteers adapting to the current epidemiological situation. We are grateful for the flexibility and positivity of our volunteers in these uncommon situations and we thank Outward Bound Romania for the warm welcome and flexibility.

The eighth team building could not have been organized without the support of the Bethlen Gábor Alapkezelő Zrt and the Communitas Foundation. Thank you!

(Translated by Razman Noémi-Katalin)