24 July 2018
Fourteen sixth formers and three members of staff travelled to Eastern Europe at the start of the summer holidays on this year's Moldova Project trip. Working with our partner charity Agape, they organised two summer camps for Moldovan children.
The first camp was held at Petre Stefanuca School in Ialoveni and saw well over 100 children attend each morning for a mixture of English, drama, art and sports sessions run by the Abingdon boys. Afternoons were spent visiting Chisinau, the capital city of Moldova, and the massive underground wine cellars of Milestii Mici, and undertaking some community work. The boys also took part in a fiercely contested England v Moldova football match – the result of which was more favourable than England's World Cup semi-final later that day!
The group then travelled to Romania for the second camp which was based in a cabin at Lacu Rosu in the Carpathian Mountains. Here, working with a smaller group of children, the boys undertook a series of challenges including designing a boardgame, making a film, and an “Apprentice” style shopping task. They also enjoyed getting to know the children better during walks in the mountains and while rowing on the lake. The now traditional “Lacu Rosu's Got Talent” took place on the final evening with a wide range of talented acts on display.
Although the trip was relatively short, close friendships were formed between the Abingdon and Moldovan students. It was clear that everyone gained a great deal from their experiences together and had learned a lot about different cultures and about themselves.