Volunteer with The Down's Association Oradea - Romania

Down Association Oradea is a Romanian charity founded in 1991 by parents of children with Down Syndrome.

Their aim is to develop children and adults with Down Syndrome and to support the families who care for them, through social and health care, education and campaigning.

“Our vision is that of a world in which children, youth and adults despite their disabilities have equal chances to reach their potential, to grow in harmony in a society who respects the right of being different, unique and valuable, a community that treasures values like children and family, human rights, dignity, equality and trust."

The project would welcome the following volunteers to work with local staff and volunteers to build their skills.
• Social workers
• Special needs teachers
• Occupational therapists
• Sports and play therapists
• Physiotherapists
• Speech therapists
• Special needs nurses

Romania is a country of stunning natural beauty and diversity with a rich cultural heritage – striking mountain landscapes; unspoilt rural areas; historic cities – but broad economic poverty remains, especially in rural areas and in the south-east of the country.

In most communities, there is little social care and very poor health care – a situation exacerbated by ingrained attitudes to the physically or mentally impaired and resultant marginalisation. The government has introduced laws to support disabled residents and their families, but in reality the funding is inadequate for full implementation, and public perception is still that care financing should be diverted to those who can make a positive contribution to society, rather than improving the standard of living for all.

The country's medical and social services are impoverished, struggling to cope with the immensity of need, and many staff are ill-trained as well as being underpaid.

This is not to deny the progress made by government over the last decade, as well as further development through international and local NGOs – but there remains much to be done. Small and medium NGOs face challenges regarding human resources management, logistics, and planning.