Last Saturday, some of the volunteers and international students of ESN UniBucharest had the opportunity to participate in a tree-planting event in the town of Caracal. This meaningful day was made possible by EcoAssist, the organization behind the event, and our invitation from ESN ASE-CMP Bucharest.

This project aimed to reforest 8 hectares of land with 38.000 saplings, including species like oak, white oak, acacia and Pennsylvania ash. More than a thousand volunteers from different associations, schools and institutions near and from Caracal came together for this ambitious event, their efforts rooted in a commitment to making a real difference for the environment.

We set out from Bucharest early in the morning, energized by the promise of contributing to something lasting. Upon arrival, it was both impressive and humbling to see so many people already working on the land and to see the greatness of this project. We were greeted with warm cups of coffee, hot tea and snacks, alongside the tools we would need for the day: gloves, shovels, water. We were then instructed on how to plant the trees effectively, and the process was easier than most of us thought, who had little to no experience when it comes to planting.

Working side by side, we planted saplings along a vast stretch of land, each tree representing a small but important step towards a greener future. As we planted each tree, it felt good knowing we were doing something beneficial, something that would improve the air, the soil, and the land around us. The atmosphere was peaceful and motivated, we chatted while working and had the chance to get to know each other better.

After we were done with the work, we were treated to a traditional Romanian lunch featuring barbecue and beans with sausages. By the time we headed back to Bucharest, we felt not only physically fulfilled but also deeply connected to the cause and happy with what we’ve accomplished.

 This event is a reminder of the great power of small actions when taken together. By planting trees, we acknowledge our shared responsability of helping to build a cleaner, healthier world, one sapling at a time. And this is what ESN is all about, bringing people together to create positive change!

- written by Teodora Fefea

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