Romanian girls, speaking with hands

Photo: Kristjan Teedema

«We already donned lighter jackets,» smile Dana Popa and Gabriela Petruta. In native Romania, it’s real spring and not some strange afterwinter like here. «We’re turning Estonian.»

The young student-ladies, in Tartu for two months already, volunteer at Tähe Youth Club. Initial weeks being hard, physically, due to having to use both arms trying to make themselves understood. By now, everybody’s used to this, the kids eagerly waving back.

Especially the smaller ones, with a patchy command of English – to put it mildly – are the more eager communicating with the volunteers. It’s harder to make contact with teenagers… who are shy about their language skills.

The more talkative Ms Popa says the kids keep trying to teach them Estonian. Like a small girl from Roiu, who trained her to say «Kõik on korras!» (It’s OK). The young teacher, being extremely strict, is not quite satisfied with her pronunciation.

The Tartu experience is special, for both and in many ways. Never before have they had to deal with kids, sole experience being their own little relatives.

Secondly: a youth centre, for them, is a totally new idea. «We don’t have youth centres,» said Ms Popa. «Kids sit at home, at computers. Or just hang out in the streets.» Some youth attend hobby groups, but that’s largely all they are offered.

Thrice a week, the Romanians spend time in Tähe Centre, fellowshipping with kids, organising events, having an art class, teaching Romanian language and culture, and doing lots of other things as well. On Thursdays, it’s their turn to visit the Roiu youth centre, also having art classes.

While foreigners often complain on unfriendliness of Estonians and difficulty to get conversations going, these two have been spared that. Equally good, they get along with the youth centre folks and roommates at Raatuse hostel. Indeed, they have made a bunch of friends, here.

The Tähe Youth Club head Triin Raudoja said she was quite worried about how the girls would make it here – all in vain. She thinks their key to success is being real active communicators, seeking contact at every opportunity.

The youth centre newer filled in a project to get volunteers – the girls showed up via AIESEC. The cooperation is planned to continue, the next goal being bringing volunteers to the communities of the county.

Dana and Gabriela will be around for two more months. During which, they plan to engage the youth in fixing up the disco hall and start writing a blog – non-stop. It is also up to them to organise the traditional May 17^th Tähe Club Day – quite international this time, looks like.