The latest stage of Abingdon’s long-running charity partnership with Agape took place at the start of the summer break when 15 sixth formers and 2 members of staff travelled to Moldova and Romania to organise summer camps for Moldovan children. Initially staying with host families in the town of Ialoveni, the group arranged a wide range of activities at Gregore Vieru and Petre Stefanuca schools which were enjoyed by over 180 children. After a visit to the capital city where they were shown round by OA Mihai Clapaniuc, they then travelled with a smaller group of 25 Moldovan pupils to Lacu Rosu in Romania for a second activity camp. Here, as well as lots of intensive English teaching, they enjoyed walks in the stunning setting of the Carpathian mountains and took part in lots of team challenges, including designing boardgames, an Apprentice-style shopping task, and a song writing competition. There was even time for the Abingdon group to learn some traditional Moldovan dance moves!
The impact of the time spent together on Moldovan and Abingdonian alike can be seen clearly in this feedback from one of the sixth formers involved: “The entire experience massively surpassed my expectations, and I thought of the children more as friends than students by the end. Sadly this did mean that saying goodbye was very emotional on all sides, but it allowed me to really put into perspective how much of an impact these children have had on my life as well as on everyone else’s in the group. I will continue to remember the things that I have learnt from them as I hope they do the things they have learnt from us.”
