Photo credit: UNDP
During the period 15 July - 25 August 2023, 365 children and young people from 15 communities in the Republic of Moldova participated in the #AcasăCamp2023 summer camps, an initiative organized within the framework of a project of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Moldova, with the support of the Government of Japan through the United Nations Trust Fund for Human Security (UNTFHS). These camps were held in partnership with the Alliance of Associations of the Bashtuns (AABM).
With the aim of discovering local traditions and potential, learning new skills, having fun and making friends, participants were involved in unique activities specific to each host community. The camps were organised in collaboration with the Alliance of Native Associations of Moldova, under the guidance of executive director Anastasia Rusu.
"The activity itself was one of social cohesion aimed at both local and diaspora children and of course refugee children.
It was a huge amount of work on the part of the associations, with the ultimate goal of strengthening relationships between children. Initially the target was for 150 children, which we practically exceeded. Of the 365 children, 85 were from the diaspora and 15 were refugees from Ukraine. The camps offered children and young people new and unique experiences, organised either in the middle of nature or in places where ancestral traditions are still preserved and local folklore is promoted", Anastasia Rusu underlined.
The project offered children and young people the opportunity to participate in activities specific to each host community, including hikes, cooking workshops, visits to local businesses and traditional craftsmen. At the camp in Corjeuți, Briceni, they learned to make sarmale; at the camp in Pelinia, Drochia, they baked pies and tried their hand at weaving wool carpets; at Vorniceni, Straseni, they discovered village traditions through photographs; in Sărata Veche, Fălești, they learned folk dances; in Scoreni, Strășeni, they witnessed the crafting of wooden poloboats, and in Răciula, Călărași, they learned about the honey production process.
"My name is Katea and I come from Harcov. It's my first time in such a camp. Here it is very cheerful, very good and I have made many friends. I liked it very much", said one of the small migrant participants.
The #HomeCamp2023 summer camps are always a unique opportunity for children and young people to discover the richness of local traditions and strengthen community ties, thus contributing to the development and promotion of authentic cultural values.
