I MAY only be 12, but I have discovered the responsibility to change something for the better lies with all of us – no matter how small and insignificant we might feel.

My parents work with East Cowes-based charity, MAD-Aid, where there is a quote on the wall by John F. Kennedy, which reads: “One person can make a difference, and everyone should try.”

I like helping others and I have just been shortlisted to become an #iwill ambassador, which is a nationwide scheme for young people aged 10-25 who are passionate about making a difference in their communities.

In May I went on a humanitarian aid trip to Moldova with my parents and other volunteers from MAD-Aid. While I was there, I liked helping to deliver food, medical aid, children’s clothes and even toys to families at some of the many projects that MAD-Aid supports.

Isle of Wight County Press: Outside the Mother and Child Institute. Outside the Mother and Child Institute. (Image: Kate Couch.)

The trip has made me appreciate how lucky I am and how different life is in Moldova, which is one of the poorest countries in Europe.

We visited the Mother and Child Institute – the main children’s hospital in Chisinau – where MAD-Aid has pledged to raise money to renovate two neonatal wards which haven’t been upgraded since 1986 and are in a poor state, with tiles falling off the walls, dangerous wiring and a ventilation system which hasn’t worked for years.

While at the hospital, I met Gabriel Nebunu, a famous Moldovan pop star, as well as British ambassador for Moldova, Steven Fisher – they were helping to raise awareness of the state of the two wards.

Another one of the things MAD-Aid does is collect medical equipment which is no longer needed from across the UK and deliver it to those in need in Moldova – this includes wheelchairs, mobility scooters and much more.  

Isle of Wight County Press: Gabriel Nebunu (left) with Matthew and his dad, Hugh.Gabriel Nebunu (left) with Matthew and his dad, Hugh. (Image: Kate Couch.)

Isle of Wight County Press: Delivering vital supplies in Moldova.Delivering vital supplies in Moldova. (Image: Kate Couch.)

We delivered a mobility scooter to a young man in a village who had never had one before – he was so excited because it meant he could leave his home and go to the local shop!

I visited MAD-Aid’s Phoenix Centre in Riscani, which includes a day centre for children with special needs. I enjoyed a craft workshop with the children, and I had a swimming lesson with some of the youngsters with disabilities.

At a Ukrainian refugee centre in Mihaileni in northern Moldova, I met two Ukrainian children, and I offered them a choice of toys and other things. The little boy gave me the biggest smile as he ran off with a packet of sweets and the girl chose colouring pens – when we went to leave, she gave us each a drawing she had done.

Back in the UK, I joined Ukrainian families on a visit to Cineworld in Newport, as part of MAD-Aid’s work to help Ukrainian refugees living on the Isle of Wight. You might also spot me helping at MAD-Aid events this summer.

I kept a diary of what I did in Moldova, to help me remember, so that I can tell my friends about my experiences – and hopefully inspire them to do something for the good of others.