Vasile Cocirla, volunteer at the Youth Center in Anenii Noi: ”Young people are the present and their potential must be harnessed now”

He is passionate about traveling, enjoys exploring new places and cultures, and, as he puts it, is a "lover of theater." He adores sea buckthorn tea, and music and dance provide him with a unique means of expression and "wings" to rise above challenges.

He joined the Anenii Noi Youth Center in 2021, invited by the former volunteer coordinator to attend the first meeting of that year. He admits feeling quite stressed at that time, uncertain if volunteering was suitable for him or if it defined him as a person. "The Anenii Noi Youth Center had something special that captivated me and made me want to stay involved."

Speaking about his motivation to engage in the Center's activities, Vasile mentions that it stemmed from a personal desire to find a place where he felt safe and connected with people around him. "I had tried various hobbies, but I often abandoned them due to a lack of connection with the group or team. I believe it's the values of the Center that attracted me the most, such as the friendly attitude towards young people, as well as responsibility towards the environment and animals. Furthermore, here, I found acceptance and appreciation of the authenticity of each person who comes to the Center and participates in activities. All of these motivated me to get involved and become part of the team," emphasizes our hero.

Vasile expresses his deep love for animals, actively participating in their care by volunteering at the "Island of Hope" dog shelter in the neighboring village. He believes that this volunteering experience is crucial for those who want to better understand the role of these beings in our lives and to remind us that, like us, they also need a home and care.

"In the Live Museum, we managed to reach people's hearts and make a change."

In 2023, as part of the program supported by Terre des hommes Moldova, with the assistance of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Swiss Government, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Research and the National Youth Agency, 17 teams composed of young people, adults, and teachers from 15 districts of the republic participated in the YouCreate program. Its goal was to identify various community issues and find solutions. The Narnia team, composed of several young people from the Anenii Noi Youth Center, including Vasile, actively participated in the "Live Museum" initiative.

"We chose the theme of stereotypes with the team because we noticed the negative impact they have on our society." Vasile acknowledges that initially, the young people did not know how to approach this sensitive topic. However, inspiration struck spontaneously during the summer camp, part of the YouCreate 2023 program. "While our ideas initially did not focus on changing the community, we started discussing how we could be useful to society. That's when the concept of a museum with elements of theater and 'living' actors emerged," says Vasile.

The young man further explains that the development process of the "Live Museum" was intense and quite challenging. "Our mission was to transform the Youth Center into a work of art. Everything had to be done from scratch and in a limited time. This involved rehearsals, preparing the space, setting up and arranging lights in each room, and creating scenery, and audio elements. It was an impressive team effort." Our hero adds that the acting experience the young actors from the Center had during the presentation event was unique, allowing them to observe visitors' reactions in real time. "Some carefully analyzed the rooms and characters, while others passed quickly. Interpretations varied based on the 'stones' (stereotypes) each visitor had," says Vasile. "The project results were surprising. We managed to reach people's hearts and guide them towards change. The feedback we received from them was an indicator of our success. Through the 'Mind Stones' initiative, I improved my ability to think creatively and innovatively and developed project management skills and team coordination. I learned to make quick and effective decisions in unforeseen situations or under pressure. This experience also provided me with a perspective on the role of art and theater in addressing social issues," adds the young man.

"Young people are the present."

Speaking about the younger generation and how their involvement in various activities can contribute to the development and change of communities, Vasile believes that young people are the ones who need to actively engage if they want to see and live these changes. "They are the ones who bring new ideas, stimulate innovation, and provide creative solutions to existing problems. Young people are the present, and their potential should be harnessed now," emphasizes Vasile.

We asked Vasile how adults react and what they think about the initiatives organized by young people. "They support us enthusiastically and get involved just as actively. In my community, public authorities are quite receptive and open." He also mentions that when facing various challenges in the process of implementing various ideas, he turns to youth workers, the Tdh team, or colleagues with experience in project management. "They are an invaluable resource for me," concludes the young man.

"The experience from the Center has helped me develop leadership skills."

We were curious to learn from Vasile how the experience gained at the Youth Center influences him as a person and helps him grow into an involved citizen in his community. "Youth centers offer alternative methods of learning and education. They helped me develop a civic spirit and better understand what social responsibility means. Over the three years, the Youth Center has become a second home for me. Here, I met people with the same interests and values, contributing to my personal development," Vasile concludes.