{"id":14702,"date":"2026-06-03T10:28:01","date_gmt":"2026-06-03T07:28:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ata-ro.eu\/?p=14702"},"modified":"2026-06-03T10:28:01","modified_gmt":"2026-06-03T07:28:01","slug":"a-story-that-began-eight-months-ago","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ata-ro.eu\/en\/news\/a-story-that-began-eight-months-ago.html","title":{"rendered":"A story that began eight months ago\u2026"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"
Sometimes people simply arrive in a place.<\/strong>
And sometimes people bring life with them.<\/strong><\/p>

Eight months ago, eleven young women from eleven different countries arrived in Cristuru Secuiesc as part of the 11th edition of the \u201cDevelopment Support from Transylvania\u201d ESC project. At that time, they were strangers to one another. Different languages, different stories, different dreams.<\/p>

The 11th edition of Development Support from Transylvania turned out to be special in many ways.<\/p>

For us, these eight months became much more than a volunteering project. It felt more like a long story that we continued writing together day after day. A story filled with laughter, tired but happy evenings, shared dinners, spontaneous adventures, and moments that will never be forgotten.<\/p>

The first days were all about getting to know each other. New rooms, new streets, a new language, new people. Then, somehow, almost without noticing, everything changed. Shared breakfasts turned into long conversations. Activities became inside jokes. And strangers became people who were there for each other even on the difficult days.<\/p>

And in the meantime, something truly beautiful happened.<\/p>

During these eight months, the volunteers reached more than 800 children through workshops, English-language activities, cultural programs, and non-formal educational sessions. They were present in schools, kindergartens, community events, local programs, and the activities of the Three Doves Association.<\/p>

The kindergarten activities became an especially important part of the project. The children quickly got used to and grew attached to the volunteers. The games, songs, and creative activities always brought joy and positive energy. These moments gave not only the children new experiences but also meant a great deal to the volunteers themselves.<\/p>

Another important element of the project was the Travelling School program, where children had the opportunity to discover English, other cultures, and creative activities in a playful and engaging way. Interactive workshops, team-building games, and cultural sessions brought color and inspiration to the everyday lives of many young people.<\/p>

But this project was never only about workshops and events.<\/p>

It was also about the moments when a real community was formed.<\/p>

About baking gingerbread together before Christmas.<\/p>

About handing out flowers in town on International Women’s Day.<\/p>

About career guidance sessions organized for local young people.<\/p>

About inspiring conversations with women and about women.<\/p>

About the theatre group, where many participants found the courage to truly open up for the first time.<\/p>

About the workshops at the Christmas Market.<\/p>

About the weaving and furniture-painting activities created together.<\/p>

During these months, an Instagram page was also launched to share the atmosphere, stories, and everyday life of Cristuru Secuiesc from a different perspective. A volunteer blog was created as well, where the girls could share their thoughts, experiences, and emotions.<\/p>

There were exhibitions, barbecue evenings, spontaneous picnics, and movie nights.<\/p>

There were shared breakfasts before busy days.<\/p>

Countless birthdays celebrated together.<\/p>

Long evenings filled with conversations on the sofa.<\/p>

Quiet moments of rest in the garden after demanding days.<\/p>

Together they travelled to many places:
to the Christmas Market in Sibiu,
to Harghita for skiing,
or to learn how to make traditional Transylvanian laska.<\/p>

They also took part in the \u201cThe Angel Brings It\u201d Christmas campaign, delivering gifts to children.<\/p>

There were hundreds of kilometers travelled by bus, bicycle, on foot, and by plane.<\/p>

There were evenings filled with laughter and endless conversations.<\/p>

And of course, there were difficult days too, when they found strength in one another.<\/p>

I believe this is what made the project truly special.<\/p>

Because by the end of the project, we no longer saw eleven volunteer girls.<\/p>

We saw eleven people who had found a home alongside one another.<\/p>

And when the time came to say goodbye…<\/p>

the tears came too.<\/p>

Those honest, quiet tears that only appear when we know something truly meaningful has come to an end.<\/p>

And yet, somehow, it did not really end.<\/p>

Because genuine human connections do not disappear with a plane ticket or a farewell hug.<\/p>

These eleven young women left a piece of themselves here in Cristuru Secuiesc.<\/p>

And I believe we left a small piece of Transylvania in them as well.<\/p>

Thank you for everything.<\/p>

For your smiles.<\/p>

For your energy.<\/p>

For your hugs.<\/p>

For the endless conversations.<\/p>

For your work.<\/p>

And for the love you brought into this community.<\/p>

You will always remain part of the Development Support from Transylvania family.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Sometimes people simply arrive in a place.And sometimes people bring life with them.Eight months ago, eleven young women from eleven different countries arrived in Cristuru Secuiesc as part of the 11th edition of the \u201cDevelopment Support from Transylvania\u201d ESC project. At that time, they were strangers to one another. Different languages, different stories, different dreams.The 11th edition of Development Support from Transylvania turned out to be special in many ways.For us, these eight months became much more than a volunteering project. It felt more like a long story that weSEE DETAILS <\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":14700,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[226],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\nA story that began eight months ago\u2026 - Youth Association from Transylvania<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ata-ro.eu\/en\/news\/a-story-that-began-eight-months-ago.html\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"A story that began eight months ago\u2026 - Youth Association from Transylvania\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Sometimes people simply arrive in a place.And sometimes people bring life with them.Eight months ago, eleven young women from eleven different countries arrived in Cristuru Secuiesc as part of the 11th edition of the \u201cDevelopment Support from Transylvania\u201d ESC project. 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