In order to continue the lovely trip of “The Foundation of Community Support”, we need to take the bus

and stay for a little while in a small village, that seemed to be forgotten by the world, at the foothills of
Buhusi, which is considered to be “The Village of the Milly Seniors”. Here, a few senior citizens, some of
whom have amazing stories, which deserve to be on the front page of a newspaper, live in small, pretty
houses that remind us of the one in “Snow-White”. Behind these houses, that host a lot of old people,
there is an orchard, a pond, a garden full of vegetables, accompanied by a greenhouse, a miniature
farm, but the most important, a handful of generous and dedicated people, a fairytale atmosphere and
of course, some energetic volunteers who are always ready to work.

This department has been created because of the beautiful memories that our volunteers have kept in
mind from the team-buildings organized in this place. The activities included gardening, painting the
brand new houses, the fences and the gazebos, alongside the moments spent with the elderly. So, in
spite of the costs that are necessary for their displacement , the volunteers chose to organize regular
activities in this place, wishing to build a connection with the people in it.

Here, the volunteers are not just dedicating to spending time with the elderly. Their have other
responsibilities that consist in household work. With regard to the old citizens, our youngsters listen to
the stories from their past, dance or sing with them and play society games, in order to make the time
fly. Unlike the institutionalized or underprivileged children that need constant care, the elderly are
happy with just the presence of the younger ones, small talks, familiar,smiley faces and gentle caresses.
At the end of the activities, after a few tiring hours of work, the youngsters are given sweets and fruits
as a sign of gratitude and also an invitation to take a walk by the pond’s edge.

In spite of the fact that places which are dedicated to the elderly tend to induce us a melancholic state,
this “piece of heaven” truly represents a portal that leads to a different world from the one we know.

The volunteers that have chosen to be a part of this department are led by Mariela Rodica Galatanu. She
feels a special connection with this place, this being understood from what she has sustained. The
reasons? We will find out in this interview.⬇️

“Why did you choose to coordinate this department?”

“I have chosen to coordinate this department because my grandfather used to live here before he left
this world. I believe that this center has represented for him a transition between the real, fast-
developed world and the holy world, where he ended up to be. So, when I heard about the founding of
this department, I decided to take the lead without having any second thoughts, despite the fact that I
am also in charge of the “Lobby and Advocacy” and “The Newsroom” departments. I really felt the need
to be near the elderly during their transition from profane to sacred, even more than that, to enjoy the
beauty of this landscape and get away from the busy town that I live in just for a few hours.” –Mariela
Galatanu
“Why did you choose to volunteer in this place?”

“I have chosen this department due to the fact that I like to offer my help when it is needed.”-Rares
Ciobanu

“I have chosen to be a part of this department because I like helping people and contributing to the
activities that they love.”-Beatrice Ilies

“I have chosen to volunteer in Buhusi because I embraced the idea of helping the elderly by thinking
how would it be like for my grandfather to be taken care of. Besides that, this project helps me to
improve my team-work skills”-Rares Colbu