Ialoveni students performed poems, dances and songs to welcome Claudia Partole, a popular Moldovan author of children’s stories and other books. She spoke at the local library. Don’t miss Champa receiving her certificate. (The video is also on YouTube at https://youtu.be/_eRms9fmshU.)
Videos
Diamond Challenge Finals
Aspiring young entrepreneurs from across Moldova competed in the final round of Diamond Challenge. They pitched their ideas, hoping to win $1,000 and a trip to America. The team I mentored, buk, finished second in the business category. You can see them in the video below (on YouTube at https://youtu.be/v74RjurF3EU). Who finished first? Watch and be inspired.
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Funny Peace Corps Videos
It helps to have a sense of humor if you’re a Peace Corps volunteer. Over the years, volunteers around the world have produced funny videos about their experiences. Here are three of my favorites. If you know of other funny Peace Corps videos that could be added to this list, please add a comment and share your suggestion.
The third video, “Poop in a Hole,” is no longer on YouTube but is available on Facebook here.
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Video: Christmas Parade and Show
Ialoveni, Moldova, celebrated Christmas on Saturday with a colorful parade and Christmas show. People played accordions, beat drums, sang songs and danced around a big tree — all before moving down the street to the Casa de Cultură for the official performance.
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Video: Welcome to Ialoveni
Ialoveni, Moldova is a great place to visit and do business. That’s the message of this short video I produced for the Consiliul Raional, where I serve as a Peace Corps volunteer. The video, now posted on the council’s home page, is in English to help attract foreign visitors and investors. You may recognize the narrator’s voice.
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Video: Dedication Ceremony
Ialoveni celebrated its 580th birthday with its annual “Zia de Hram” event. A highlight was the dedication of a new bust in front of the Consiliul Raional, where I work. The bust honors Ferdinand I, king of Romania 1914-1927, a period when Moldova was part of Romania. I produced this 5-minute video about the dedication ceremony.
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Video: Student Performances
Student from schools across Ialoveni raion — where we live — performed on Friday afternoon at a cultural festival honoring Andrei Vartic, for whom Champa’s school is named. I produced this 3-minute video featuring some of the highlights from the first hour and a half of the event.
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Video: First Bell Ceremony
Every school in the Republic of Moldova celebrates its opening on September 1 with a colorful ceremony called Primal Sunet De Clopoțel, or First Bell. Local leaders and school officials give speeches of encouragement, students perform songs and dances and, finally, bells are rung as everyone cheers. This brief video shows highlights from the school in Ialoveni where Champa has begun teaching.
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Video: Independence Day
On Saturday, the Republic of Moldova celebrated its 25th birthday as an independent country. Champa and I joined the celebrations in our new home, Ialoveni, and at the nearby winery of Mileștii Mici, home of the world’s largest wine cellar. This video captures some of the highlights:
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Video: Student Performances
Champa and her fellow members of the English Education group in Peace Corps Moldova 31, along with their partner teachers, wrapped up their practice teaching on Friday with performances by their students in Costesti. I made this short video so you can enjoy the fun, too:
