The year of living generously: The lessons of social engagement against COVID-19, as seen by Asociația Prematurilor

EESC Info has asked Asociația Prematurilor (a Romanian premature babies association), the Romanian winner of the EESC Civil Solidarity Prize, to tell our readers how the project was born, how people have responded to it and how the prize money will help their organisation grow. In this interview, Diana Gămulescu, the association's president, answers our questions.

What prompted you to start your project or initiative?

We were in touch with the doctors to see what they were doing, how they were, what the situation was, how they were doing, and if they had what they needed, and that's how I found out that they were scared, that they didn't have protective equipment, disinfectant, etc. and that no-one had even promised them that this would happen soon. The darkest scenario is for the virus to enter hospitals and maternity wards with neonatal units, or into intensive care for newborns, which would require intervention for survival. So we took the initiative and set out to raise funds from donations and sponsorships and buy as much equipment as possible, as a temporary shield for them, for the babies and their parents who were very scared and exposed. I didn't know how much we would raise and how many sections we would help, but I said let's start somewhere…

How has your project been received? Have you obtained any feedback from the people you helped? (Can you give us an example, if you have any?)

We received feedback from the doctors and the words speak for themselves: "Thank you for your involvement and support in these complicated times! The babies in the Targoviste Maternity Hospital, through the professionals, thank you! All our respect and good wishes to the Asociația Prematurilor! Preventing the transmission of infections in a maternity hospital is a safety prerequisite for patients. Thank you again for your involvement!" Respectfully, Dr Anca Georgescu, head of department, Neonatology, SJU Targoviste Hospital, Dambovita.

How will you use this specific funding to provide further help in the community? Are you already planning any new projects?

We will continue to make donations to the maternity hospitals in Romania and to invest in the health of vulnerable babies.

What advice would you give to other organisations in terms of achieving results with such activities and programmes?

I don't know if I can give advice, but I can make some recommendations: to be professional in all aspects regarding a project, to be transparent as an organisation, to persevere and be empathetic regarding the needs in the community, to be careful, and to be proactive.