We are nine Flemish (Belgium) volunteers. Through Bouworde vzw, a volunteer organisation, we spent time in Maru, Romania There we met Phil, director of ECN, who guided us through our project: the repainting of a classroom that was in a poor state of renovation. We also brightened up the outside wall.
In the classroom, we painted the walls bright yellow, which made the room look wider and more cheerful. On top of that, we drew flowers and insects an one wall became a ‘jungle’. On the outside wall, inspired by Piet Mondrian. The people from Maru welcomed us with open arms and soon we became part of the ‘Dragomir-family’ who live in the Roma part of the village. We pitched our tents and used Elena’s kitchen to cook in.

Setting an alarm clock wasn’t necessary. Every morning we were woken up by the bells of the herd of cows passing our tents. After waking we used our ‘bio-bathroom’ a.k.a. the river. By noon, temperatures were so high, we found it necessary to have a siësta at the river, and after a day’s hard work, we relaxed by a cosy campfire.
Everybody in the village really appreciated what we were doing. They all, including many of the children visited our campsite frequently and to the kindergarten to look curiously at what we were doing. They rewarded us every day with homegrowing fruits and homemade meals and snacks.
Without doubt, it was a great week and a real recommendation for who wants to give more meaning to their vacation.

Ann, Julie, Caroline, Lore, Klaas, Griet, Vincent, Lies, Liselore