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by Lauren Colyn, Don DeGraaf, Ph.D., and Diana Certan
Campsite and Outhouse
Construction in Retezat National Park Ecological Project
IMPACT members
sought to bring to an end the environmental degradation from the proximity
of Cabana Rusu and to better serve the guests of the Retezat National
Park by building a “Leave No Trace” campsite and outhouse
facility. This idea was based on the seven environmental principles promoted
by Leave No Trace Inc., U.S.A. (www.lnt.org). The core philosophy of
each principle is based on respect for nature by using good judgment
and awareness of one's actions while partaking in outdoor activities.
The young participants of IMPACT studied these principles and decided
to put them into practice.
Restoration of City Hospital Park From Lupeni
This project is an initiative of IMPACT youth club, supported by the
manager of Lupeni Municipal Hospital. Together with Young Life Europe,
they implemented an ecological project aimed to restore the hospital's
park. The funds needed for this project were provided by Young Life.
The hospital management provided the necessary tools and electricity.
Because the park was in an advanced stage of degradation, three days
of hard work were necessary in order to finalize this project.
More Sport,
More Health
The IMPACT members became aware of the need to restore the
school sports grounds and therefore thought of a project that would directly
address this problem. For that reason, they applied to the “DisneyHand” program
financed by Youth Service America and obtained a $500 USD grant to support
their project. With this money, the IMPACT members renovated the sports
grounds of the two schools in Uricani and bought the materials necessary
for maintaining their sport grounds in good condition. The project involved,
besides the IMPACT members, other youth who decided to join the team
and thus learned about the helpfulness of community service projects.
Don't Give Bribes: An Anti-Corruption Campaign
in the Jiu Valley
This project intended to raise awareness of the long-term negative effects
of smalllevel corruption. Themes: What is a bribe? Why do we need to
give bribes? Why shouldn't we give bribes? What can we do to stop
it? It was a free show meant to offer an example of youth initiative
in the Jiu Valley (one of the most corrupt regions in the country), and
to offer practical solutions for rebuilding democratic values for sustainable
development.
Jiu Valley HIV/AIDS
Forum The HIV/AIDS forum was organized
on the occasion of World AIDS Day. The IMPACT members in Lupeni wanted
to show their support and solidarity for the people who live with this
horrible disease as well as educate those who are not infected or those
who have lost a loved one. This event was organized with the hope of
facilitating the exchange of information and communication between different
organizations that deal with this issue such as regional and national
NGOs, local authorities, groups of people and families affected by HIV/AIDS,
teachers, and clerics. Source: www.new-horizons.ro/impact/sample_projects.asp
Originally published in the 2008 March/April
issue of Camping Magazine. |
