"Scouting was literally preparing us for any circumstance"
Raluca Popa, 25, Scout leader coordinating support at Romania’s northern border
NSO: National Organization of Romanian Scouts
By Knowledge Network – Staff member
In late February 2022, as war broke out in Ukraine, 25-year-old Scout Raluca Popa and her friend Mihaela didn’t wait for orders. At 9:00 p.m. on the 26th, they packed up their car and drove three hours to Sighetu-Marmației, a border town in northern Romania.
We weren’t exactly sure what kind of help we could give once we reached the border, but we didn’t want to just wait for instructions. Families were suffering and we wanted to act immediately.
From spontaneous response to coordinated support
When they arrived, they saw exhausted women and children—scared, confused, and emotionally overwhelmed. They began by offering transport and support, but quickly realised that a more structured approach was needed. “That night, we returned home and messaged our Scout group to mobilise a whole team for the next morning. We told everyone to wear their Scout uniforms to give us credibility”. By the following day, they had formed a full operation of young volunteers delivering emergency support at the border.
Building a network of compassion
The Scouts facilitated safe transportation to other cities, accommodation placements via a growing host network, and on-site psychological first aid, especially through a Ukrainian-speaking Scout parent: “Her presence was invaluable. She spoke their language, listened to their stories, and helped us understand their needs. Most importantly, she gained their trust.”
They developed a rotating team of drivers, field coordinators, and translators. Scouts from cities across Romania joined, placing this response above all other personal priorities.
We involved our families and communities, and activated our networks to make sure refugees could feel at home.
Transitioning into long-term support
Soon, humanitarian organisations set up formal operations at the border, and the Scouts became part of the coordination effort—supporting UNICEF at the Blue Dots and extending their reach into refugee and migrant centres and transit hubs. “It was extremely humbling to see different organisations and religious groups working hand in hand. Everyone united toward the same goal—protecting people.”
We worked day and night that week, but we found it remarkably rewarding. Gaining the trust of refugees solidified our motivation to continue.
The Scouting spirit in action
For Raluca, the experience affirmed everything she had learned in Scouting: “Scouting is the reason we chose this path of service and peacebuilding. The camps we organised, the tents we slept in, the responsibility we took on at a young age—it all prepared us for this moment. Scouting was literally preparing us for any circumstance.”
She now sees Scouting not only as a youth movement but as a mobiliser of peace, care, and resilience in times of global need.
About the author
The Knowledge Network – Staff member
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