🌌A MOSAIC OF SACRIFICE🌌

Our voyage makes a stop in a place as jovial yet as relevant as it can be for the FSC volunteers.
Localised on Marasti Street in the Tache neighbourhood, so far from the everyday world yet so close
to our hearts, the ‘’Mosaic’’ Children’s Daycare, a tiny, welcoming house, is a centre dedicated to
children wishing to do their homework while socialising, interactioning with members of the
community they’re part of. Most of the children attending the centre live in the Tache
neighbourhood and spend time here every day during the school year, but also during the holidays,
benefiting of ‘’after school’’ or ‘’summer school’’ programs.

🟣 Here the volunteers and the trained personnel help kids with their homework, also doing extra
work and thoroughgoing certain school subjects. After finishing their homework, the children can
play outside freely enjoying their childhood, far from all the devices younger generations depend on.
On top of all that, kids take part in several activities with diverse themes- such as cultural, artistic or
sporty activities. Children learn by combining the useful and the pleasant, they develop their
imagination and learn how to follow the rules imposed by the society. Even more than that, the little
ones have the chance to work on their social abilities, their capacity to cooperate, learning the true
meaning of the expression ‘’fair play’’.

🟣 An outstanding advantage of the reunion between kids and teens is definitely the possibility of
true self-knowledge. The children consider that the volunteers are great role models through the
prism of those qualities they would like to have, while the ‘’Mosaic’’ volunteers develop their
pedagogical abilities, work on their patience and- why not?!- work on their future parent abilities.

🎨 If you’re wondering why this daycare centre is called ‘’Mosaic’’, I’ll tell you the exact reason. If
you ever have the chance to enter the gates majestically ‘’protecting’’ this daycare centre, you’ll
notice the way that every single tiny piece creates a mosaic in which every element has its own
meaning and story.

🖍 This mosaic tells a magical fairytale, which the volunteers and personnel can complete through
daily hard work. This place, which looks like it came straight out of a Grimm Brothers story, requires
a gram 👌🏻 of effort, a drop 💧 of innocence, a spoonful 🥄 of patience, a cup ☕️of care, a bottle 🍾 of
responsibility, a tree 🌳 loaded with trust, a river 🏞 of dedication, a sea 🌊 of communication, an
ocean 🌅 of smiles, an entire planet 🌎 of compassion, a galaxy 🌌 of love and, most importantly, an
universe 🪐 of sacrifice- the ‘’sine qua non’’ condition a truly devoted volunteer should respect.
All of these form a mosaic- the mosaic of harmony, of childhood, of hope- the mosaic that makes the
story of some children stepping foot in this centre every day whole. Some children that come to this
centre every day just to enjoy a friendly face, some good advice, a warm hug, a smile that suggests
that behind the gray clouds you can see the sunny horizon, where everything is possible.

🖼 If my description hasn’t convinced you yet, I’m sure that the young coordinators of the ‘’Mosaic’’
centre, Miruna Miron and Cosmin Bîrgoveanu, but also the team that they supervise, will definitely
assure you that this centre is a truly wonderful place.

👶🏽 ‘’Why did you choose to coordinate the ‘’Mosaic’’ volunteering team?”

🔴”Last year, before the pandemic, besides taking part in volunteering at this centre, I also spent
some time with the kids at the “Pro-Family” centre and I got very attached to the kids at both
centres. From the second I entered ‘’Mosaic’’ and I noticed the warm, welcoming atmosphere, I fell
in love with this place. I got along really well with all the kids, even though at first they were distant
as I was invading their personal space. Now I consider them my friends and I know that this feeling is
mutual. When I was offered the opportunity of coordinating this centre I did not hesitate, knowing
that I could get even closer to the kids and the volunteers.” (Miruna Miron)

🔵” I have always lived with the impression that the change we’re waiting to see in this world should
be made by the younger generations. We encounter permanent obstacles in the activities with the
kids, and in such situations our volunteers need some help in order to be able to ‘’fix the problems’’.
I considered that I could be the person to offer them this help.” (Cosmin Bîrgoveanu)

👶🏽”What’s your opinion about the volunteers you work with and how do you think they have
evolved up to now?”
🌕 “The “Mosaic” volunteers are always involved and very active. After a certain time period where I
had the chance to get to know all of them I can say that they’re very attached to the children, always
putting their needs in the first place. During a normal day of activities at the centre, all volunteers
cooperate, they communicate easily and they always support each other. I consider that their
activity and also their relationship has changed for the better.” (Miruna Miron)

👶🏽”What are the activities you have organised in this department?”

🟤”During the entire school year, our volunteers offer the kids help with their homework and then
they spend time together in a manner that combines the pleasant and the useful during a series of
recreative activities.” (Cosmin Bîrgoveanu)

👶🏽 “What made you choose volunteering at this daycare centre?”

🟢” I chose to volunteer at the “Mosaic” daycare centre, a place dedicated to kids, because I love
working with kids. Also, their innocence reminds me of my childhood and I like spending time with
them. I feel like even though I help them with their homework, they help me even more. They teach
me to be more patient, to be more understanding and to develop my didactical abilities. I listen to
their problems and we help each other mutually. I really like what we do at this centre.” (Iris Zaharia)

👶🏽”What are the most unique activities you took part in at this daycare centre?”
🟠”I don’t think I could precisely name one or a few activities here at “Mosaic” because every single
day here is unique. But what truly impressed me since the beginning were the kids and their
empathy. It’s a pleasure working with them, because they catch on fast, they are good listeners. It’s
more than satisfactory for me, as a volunteer, to see the joy on their face when they successfully
complete their homework. These children are a big family, they help each other, tell each other
stories. I think one of the most beautiful activities I took part in was at Christmas, when all kids at the
centre tried their best and learned Christmas carols and poems. But Santa’s arrival was definitely my
favourite part. They joy on their faces and the emotion in their voice were heartwarming, especially
as they received gifts from Santa. That’s why I can’t choose one experience- every single day spent
with these kids has its own charm.”

🌈In conclusion, if you are not of the required age, you do not have enough time or you simply do
not want to fulfill the mosaic of sacrifice of the Community Support Foundation, I invite you to
create your own mosaic of love, which you can offer not only to children, but to everyone who you
think may need help, a gesture of compassion or some kind words.🌈

By Mariela Rodica Gălățanu.