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To survive as a community, people create spaces to come together. Places to share traditions and cultural values. Music. Dance. Language. Food. Play. Story. It’s the same in Transylvania, Romania, as it is around the world.
First U of Yarmouth, Maine, and Unitarian Kaláka ask for your help to create and expand gathering spaces in three Unitarian communities in Transylvania. Varosfalva, in the video above, is one of the three communities raising funds through our Faithify campaign.
In Transylvania, “kaláka” is the practice of working together – like barn raising in the old days – to accomplish shared goals. Each of these community-building projects will be achieved locally by village volunteers, matched with your financial support.
How will the funds be used?
1 To create a safe play space for children in Városfalva
Since the village school was closed, there are no play spaces for children in the Unitarian community of Városfalva. This “kalaka” project, initiated by parents, creates a vital playground, a safe and healthy environment essential to a child’s development – an oasis of freedom.
The new playground will serve the village’s 30 children, as well as parents, village elders, and young people of all ages. All will benefit from this communal gathering space, and all are eager to volunteer in some way to make it happen.
“Remember your childhood…”
“We plan to build the playground with volunteers and we want to buy all the equipment from local companies to support the neighboring economy… Remember your childhood and the joy you had on playgrounds. Every child deserves such an oasis of freedom.” – A Városfalva volunteer
2 To raise the walls on a new church hall wing in Torockoszentgyorgy
Urgently in need of expansion, the church hall is the center of Torockoszentgyorgy life, hosting the growing number of community groups who gather there: youth groups, the women’s association, children’s workshops and more.
Volunteers will construct a new wing with running water for a kitchen and bathroom, meeting rooms, and space for communal celebrations. With this project, the village is determined to preserve its traditional way of life.
“We have started to lose our traditions…”
“In the last 70 years, the world has evolved and we have started to lose our traditions. Our goal is to bring back those traditions with kaláka projects like this. We began building a new wing for our Community Hall two years ago. We hope that this year we can raise the walls, brick by brick.” – A Szentgyorgy community member
3 To restore the community hall in Brassó
In Brassó, the Hall of Brotherhood is where villagers in surrounding communities gather to celebrate and solidify their Unitarian Hungarian roots. Groups come together – 100 to 200 each week – to dance, sing, learn English, play music, make handicrafts, and share precious time with each other.
After 35 years of use, the hall is in desperate need of renovation. The floor is slippery and uneven; walls need re-plastering; and tables and chairs have deteriorated. Restoring this hall will transform this community.
“Where traditions and cultural values are transmitted…”
“This hall is where traditions and cultural values are transmitted. The room is used continuously and now needs extensive renovation to remain safe and attractive. Through this communal effort, the Brotherhood Hall can once again serve our community.” Brassó community leader
Please help! These kaláka projects provide places to gather, play, teach, learn, celebrate, and work together – helping to preserve Unitarian village life in Transylvania.
Thank you!
Stretch Goals
Updates
Project FAQ
UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CONNECTION
Unitarian Kaláka is a nonprofit, community development organization led by volunteers who share a commitment to the well-being of our fellow Unitarians in Transylvania, Romania. We are supported by UUs in congregations across the country, including our home congregation, First Universalist Church of Yarmouth, Maine. For many years, we have dedicated
ourselves to forging relationships and learning more about the roots of our faith in Transylvania. We focus our fundraising efforts on small projects that will have meaningful, positive impacts on the lives of Unitarians in another part of the world.
Our Partners
We collaborate with the Székelyudvarhely Community Foundation (SzKA.org), an innovative and deeply committed nonprofit based in Székelyudvarhely, Transylvania. Unitarian Kaláka participates in SzKA's Give-Get-Do! community development program to support the cultural and economic vitality of Unitarian villages in Transylvania. This is our third year of participating with Give-Get-Do!
4 thoughts on “Raise Up Unitarian Culture, Build Places to Gather”
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05/08/2018From West side UU Congregation where we care about our sister church!$100.00
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05/07/2018$10.00
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Anonymous05/07/2018With happy birthday wishes to Marge Pete!$75.00
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Anonymous05/07/2018$250.00
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05/07/2018$100.00
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05/07/2018In honor of Marge and Pete Titcomb - Happy birthday!$50.00
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05/07/2018$100.00
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Anonymous05/05/2018Matching Gift--Thank you Donors!$150.00
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Anonymous05/05/2018Matching Gift-- Thank you donors!$150.00
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Anonymous05/05/2018Thank you to Bev Smrha for this donation!$50.00
First Unitarian Universalist Church of Yarmouth, Maine
Thank you to all our generous donors! We are almost 1/3 of the way there…3 weeks to go. We will make it!
First Universalist Church of Yarmouth, Maine
You did it! We met our goal of raising $3,500 to support three community building projects in Transylvania. We are so grateful for the generosity of all our donors. Thank you. And stay tuned! We are going to stretch our goal so that we can do even more and support the partners who help make this happen. Ann
First Universalist Church of Yarmouth, Maine
We are so grateful to the generous supporters who helped us meet and exceed our goal. Many families in Transylvania will benefit from your generosity…and there are still two days left in our campaign! Ann
First Universalist Church of Yarmouth, Maine
Thank you Westside UU Church and everyone else who has given so generously!