Information for Parents
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Our charity was created by teachers from Cambridge House and St. Louis Grammar schools as a cross-community venture. Since 1992 our schools have been sending groups of teachers and Sixth Form pupils to Brasov county in Romania. These groups have delivered huge amounts of aid to vulnerable, impoverished children and adults in children's homes, schools, disabled centres and villages.
UPDATE : ST. LOUIS GRAMMAR SCHOOL YEAR 13 VOLUNTEER RECRUITMENT COMMENCES SEPTEMBER 2025
WHY OUR STUDENTS GO TO ROMANIA
A unique opportunity to raise funds, personally spend those funds and then directly deliver aid those who are much less fortunate.
A transforming opportunity for personal growth and development of transferable skills such as leadership, teamwork, proactivity, communication and organisation.
An unforgettable experience of a different culture and its people.
A very significant addendum to future applications and interviews for university courses* and jobs.
* From September 2025 onwards there will be three new, compulsory UK university application questions for entry to all courses, one of which is - "What else have you done to prepare outside of education, and why are these experiences helpful?"
The experiences and challenges provided by the Romania project would provide an ideal basis for responding to this question.
WHAT DO WE DO IN ROMANIA ?
Purchase large quantities of aid from local wholesale outlets.
Visit a variety of places to deliver this aid and interact with the young people in :
children’s homes
disabled centres
schools
Visit a village and deliver a bag of groceries to every family in need.
We have a long term, cultural link with a Romanian high school which we visit every winter.
WHERE DO WE STAY IN ROMANIA ?
During the winter trips, we stay in a large family owned house which is several miles from any town and is a quiet, safe haven. All rooms are warm and clean with toilet & shower ensuite. Food is prepared to suit a western diet. Alcohol is not permitted on the premises.
WEBSITE
https://www.facebook.com/p/Casa-Elim-100052590134110/
During the summer trips we will stay in a mountain resort hotel which has been used by N. Ireland school groups for many years.
WEBSITE
https://www.anahotels.ro/poiana
SECURITY
Romania is a relatively safe country. The crime rate in Romania is roughly on a par with the UK and Ireland.
There is a small risk from thieves so all students are instructed to walk in groups of at least three at all times in towns and cities.
DATA
https://www.numbeo.com/crime/rankings_by_country.jsp
TRANSPORT
We travel in a small fleet of minibuses and coaches owned and operated by a local family firm. All buses are equipped with seat belts.
WEBSITE
FOOD
Brasov has a wide variety of inexpensive restaurants to suit all tastes – Italian, McDonalds, Steakhouse, KFC etc
LANGUAGE
A very high proportion of Romanians speak English. However all students are required to learn a few basic phrases in Romanian. There will be an interpreter on each minibus.
MEDICAL & INSURANCE
Parents must consult with GPs to ensure that sons/daughters receive any country relevant vaccinations before travelling to Romania.
There are hospitals close to our accommodations and the GHIC card is valid in Romania.
We organise basic travel insurance. Any student may independently arrange additional insurance cover if required.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST ?
The total cost varies from year to year. The number of students who volunteer affects the cost per student. Larger groups usually pay less per person. So students will be informed of the cost soon after the number of volunteers has been established and will be free to withdraw from the project if the cost is not suitable.
When it is feasible to do so, we book elements of the trip directly in order to reduce cost.
WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE PRICE ?
The price includes :
Travel insurance
Flights to/from Romania
Coach transfer to/from airports
Accommodation including bed, breakfast and evening meal
Daily minibus transport within Romania
Daily interpreter services. One interpreter on every minibus.
The price does not include :
Daily lunch - Brasov city has numerous restaurants to suit all budgets from McDonalds upwards.
Extra sundries such as snacks, gifts etc.
DO TEACHERS ACCOMPANY THE STUDENTS ?
As for any school trip, teachers will accompany the students. Each trip will usually include at least one teacher with previous experience of the project.
RULES
We expect all students to behave as young adults at all times.
Our Rules are enforced to ensure that all students are :
SAFE
RESPECTFUL OF ALL OTHERS
RESTED AND FIT FOR THEIR DAILY TASK
No alcohol to be purchased or consumed.
Males and females must never be in each other’s rooms at any time.
No smoking.
Pupils must be respectful to and follow instructions from any leader in the party.
Attendance at all events across the week is compulsory.
Pupils should treat all residents and property with respect.
Pupils should always be in groups of three or more in town.
All medical information should be passed to a leader.
Pupils should not leave the accommodation without permission.
Every pupil must remain in his/her room after curfew.
Attendance at all meals is compulsory.
The group garment must be worn in transit to Romania.
Celtic or Rangers shirts, scarves etc. are not permitted on the joint school trips.
DO VOLUNTEERS HAVE TO UNDERTAKE FUNDRAISING FOR THE TRIPS ?
Yes our volunteers will be required to raise funds for the trips.
A minimum fundraising target will be established at the beginning of each year. In previous years our volunteers have always exceeded their combined group target.
As well as raising funds, these activities develop transferable skills such as leadership, teamwork, proactivity, communication and organisation.
CAKE SALES
CHURCH COLLECTIONS
COFFEE MORNINGS
STREET COLLECTIONS
ETC. ETC. . . . . .
TABLE QUIZZES
MUSIC & DANCE EVENTS
RAFFLES
SCHOOL MOVIES
ENDORSEMENTS BY PREVIOUS STUDENTS
“A unique and fulfilling experience . . . I cannot stress enough just how amazing this opportunity is . . .”
A.D. Winter 2017 & Summer 2018
“A life-changing experience as well as a very rewarding one”
C.M. Winter 2019
“ Joining the Romania team has definitely been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.”
C.M 2017-2019
"This is an opportunity of a lifetime and I would encourage anyone in Year 13 to embrace it!"
E. M. 2024
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