1. We are a group of 15 students in the 9 th grade coordinated by the English teacher Aurelia Bazbanela. We have been doing volunteering work for a year and it has been a real pleasure for us to get involved in such activities.

2. * We have a partnership with the orphanage “COCORUL”, which is close to our school and we go there anytime we can. There are 13 children between 5 and 9 years old. The latest visit we paid them was in March, when the students gave them some presents (trinkets) made by them and some fruit and sweets. * They were very pleased to see us and to play with us and we could read happiness on their faces, but, unfortunately it was just for a few minutes, as some of them started to cry and to touch the students as if they didn’t want to let them go. It was very touching and that moment really moved us all. We paid them some other visits, bringing them presents and spending some quality time with them.

3. Here are some of the students’ opinions:  Rafaela: The happiness on their faces was amazing but, behind their priceless smiles there was deep sadness because of the lack of affection. I was glad I could bring happiness even for just a few moments. I know I did something right and I will repeat this experience whenever I have the chance.  Madalina: It was a special moment, but also sad, because all the children were very surprised to see us and some of them started to cry. They were very pleased to see us, and they also liked our presents. I think they felt the warmth of a family. It was a nice moment and we were glad to give them a little bit of happiness.

4.  Anca : To me, this experience was a new one and at the same time an unpleasant one because I had to see all of those kids having a sad look upon their faces because they don’t get the chance to receive a gift or at least a visit from someone too often. I felt bad to see them like that and I think I would have felt even worse if I were them.