DOR program marks 18th edition: Diaspora youth reconnect with Romanian roots in Holercani
Nearly 200 young people from the diaspora, along with children from the Republic of Moldova, are participating in a ten-day program designed to give them an authentic experience on the banks of the Nistru. This is the 18th edition of the DOR government program, which offers participants the chance to explore the beauty and cultural diversity of the country, form new friendships, and improve their communication skills in Romanian.
The participants at the camp held at the pension in Holercani, Dubăsari district, are aged between 12 and 17. The young people returned home during the holidays from Canada, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Greece, Turkey, Ireland, Italy, Great Britain, Portugal, Romania, Spain, and the USA.
“My name is Elsa. I am from England, I am 14 years old, and I came to DOR to make friends from Moldova and improve my Romanian.”
“My father is Turkish. I was born in Chișinău, and when I was 3 years old, I moved to Turkey, where I lived until I was 17. Today, I am returning to Moldova for university.”
“I am Andreea. I am 14 years old, and I come from Italy. I was born here. Coming home makes me very happy; it brings up many emotions and makes me feel at home in my native country.”
“Life in Belgium is very interesting, but I sometimes miss Moldova because it is my native country. I was born here and lived the first five years of my life, which were the most important ones.”
Mădălina has participated in four editions of the DOR program. Now settled in Switzerland, she is part of the mentoring team.
“Both experiences are special. We learn a lot about Moldova,” says Mădălina Gherasim, a representative of the diaspora.
The parents who visited their children at the camp also expressed strong emotions.
“We are happy because our children, through this camp, have an extraordinary opportunity to speak Romanian and get to know the traditions of Moldova.”
“He read less in Romanian and only spoke it at home. We were very pleased that he communicated with his peers from different countries, including those from the Republic of Moldova, allowing him to reconnect with our traditions.”
This year, for the first time, the DOR program will be held in two parts, from August 4 to 13 and August 16 to 25.
“We have artists and influencers involved this year to make it interesting for the children. We will also take them on trips to the Parliament, the Presidency, and the Government, which they will find interesting,” explained Ana Calinici, State Secretary to the Government.
The DOR program, launched in 2013, is the only government initiative dedicated to reconnecting younger generations from the diaspora with the Republic of Moldova. Over the years, more than 1,100 children have attended this summer camp.
