Project CURA Romania

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Project CURA Romania

• By Bump Olson

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Country Details

• Romania was one of the satellite countries behind
  the Iron Curtain of the USSR and was run by a
  strict Communist regime.
• During the fall of communism in the late 1980s
  the country revolted and overthrew its
  government.
• The country is split by mountains and surrounded
  by other third world countries making it
  difficult to recover.
• Rich history with a mesh of many cultures.
• Due to many factors, Romania has the lowest
  quality of living of any European country.

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How does Project CURA fit?

• Dr. Jefferies son (Tim), is a peace corps
  volunteer and is currently stationed in Arad a
  city of around 125,000 people located near the
  western border.
• He has asked Creighton University to help. I
  think Project CURA is a good start if we can make
  it happen.
• Many areas have been left behind as the country
  tries to rebuild its infrastructure using very
  limited funding.
• The social/medical infrastructure is based upon
  a socialistic foundation that had been the norm
  until 1989 (Unfortunately there is no money or
  facilities to warrant such a system)

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What can we do?

• In the fringe cities, many homeless children live
  in the allys and sewers due to abandonment to
  the streets.
• Under this medical system/economy many children
  are placed in government run facilities
  (orphanages) if they are abandoned, physically
  handicapped, mentally handicapped, or just sick.
• These facilities are poorly funded and trained
  staff is overstretched.
• They need caring people willing to help.

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What can we do?

• According to Tim, just being there and
  interacting with the people can help show them
  that there are other ways of living (besides the
  communist way).
• Several aid groups to Romania volunteer in
  orphanages or go to the streets playing
  with/feeding/washing the abandoned children.
  Also, classes in birth control methods, and
  classes in parenting for single young mothers
  have been effective in combating the problem.

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Costs

• Four Week Trip Student estimated at
• 900-1000 airfare/US hotel stay over,
  200-250 student donation towards the chosen
  projects, 100 passport fee, 120 travel
  insurance, 500-800 spending money for lodging,
  food, recreation, ADLs.
• Approximately 1,700 - 2,270 including airfare.
• Tentatively, three weeks of volunteer work and
  one week of leisure travel at the end of the
  volunteer experience.

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Lodging Options

• Still up in the air.
• Options include potentially renting an apartment
  if the Peace Corp can recommend accommodations.
• Hostel w/ the same amount of beds as our group
  size. Fairly cheap (12 per bed per night)
  however maybe not as luxurious for those that
  require a lot of privacy since amenities such as
  the kitchen and bathroom facilities are shared.

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Travel and Safety

• Romania has made significant progress in
  complying with the European Unions standards and
  will most likely become a full member this
  spring.
• A Visa is not required for stays under 90 days.
• English is taught early within the education
  system and is a second language of many
  Romanians. Less chance of getting stranded.
• Rail system throughout the country making travel
  easier for those that can afford it.

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Trip Potential

• This is a brand new Project CURA venture and will
  require participants to be motivated and vocal in
  its development.
• A minimum of four volunteers will be required
  with a trip maximum of eight.
• The more participants going will drop the price.
• So far I have focused upon humanitarian efforts
  working with children and new mothers however
  there is potential to volunteer in other
  capacities as there is need everywhere.

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Questions?

• Drop me an email if you would be interested in
  leading this trip detailing why you would make a
  good emissary for Project CURA to Romania and the
  Peace Corp.
• Anyone interested in potentially joining the trip
  should let me know via email as well so I can get
  a list set up.
• If there are too many people interested we could
  potentially look at splitting the trip or setting
  up multiple rotations.
• bumpolson_at_creighton.edu

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