Η Χριστίνα μας γράφει για το πρόγραμμα EVS από τη Κύπρο !

Dear Followers,

hi! 

My name is Christina Zeri and i am doing my EVS in Nicosia, Cyprus, hosted by the organization  OTI https://www.otinternational.org/  in the EVS PROJECT “YOUTH DEVELOPED EDUCATION”.

I am already in the middle of my project. As member of the group of volunteers, our main task is to organize events aimed to inform young people on issues that concern them. Due to my profession, as a physiotherapist, I manage events relating to people with disabilities. 

 At the organization the other volunteers have to do Greek  lessons and I am the teacher!

 

 Also I am helping voluntarily with the Wheelchair Basketball team of Nicosia with the name “Nicosia Team Rollers”; 

I help the team in their various activities and I organize events to promote the sport. 

I participated as a speaker at the conference held by Cyprus Paraplegic Association relating to the value of team sports for the disabled.

 

As volunteer I took part at the Special Olympics Games of Cyprus, one gorgeous experience for me.

I had the opportunity to participate in a training organized by the host organization entitled “Democracy in Crisis”, as assistant. 

At the on arrival training we celebrated  the 20 years of the EVS on the streets of Nicosia holding balloons and designing with our bodies the initials of EVS.

 

 

 

 

 Soon the team of volunteers we will begin our work the on line newspaper, the on line radio station and the cafeteria of the Youth Center of the organization.

I would like to thank  my sending organization EDRA (www.edra-coop.gr) for the help during all this period.

 

For me this experience of  EVS is excellent so far because through this project I am developping at personal and professional level, as well as I have the opportunity to develop skills that i did not know that I have in general! 

Thank you!!!!

Stefania is reporting her first experiences from Lithuania, as EVS volunteer !

Stefania is reporting her first experiences from Lithuania, as EVS volunteer !

 MY JOB:

"I am working in the Public Library - Klaipeda in different departments. I have different kind of work to do every week. I am working at the book lending department, giving and getting back books, scanning, putting codes and make registrations. Also, I work in the children’s department, where I have contact with children from 5-9 years old, and I prepare for them different topics to discuss in English, we draw together and we read books…Also, I work for the covers or any other kind of booklets the library may need... or I help librarians to fix the old books in the book storage department...once a week, I use to go  to hang posters concerning events of the library, at coffee houses that youth use to go and at universities in the cities....and sometimes, I provide my help to the music department where the staff also help me practice my language skills.."

However, the first month was not easy for Stefania. 

She reports : “ I had to find on my own a new apartment and then to get the “ok” by the hosting and coordinating organization to move … I had to buy by myself all the equipment for the house needed, except from bed and chairs, that the hosting organization brought for me... the first month was stressful. At least, now, after almost 2 months I live in good condition. I have my own room and a bed. Kitchen and bathroom is ok. I can cook and live in healthy conditions”..

Stefania took part in the on arrival training: “It took place at a nice training centre, situated in a small village, in the nature … It was very interesting to meet the trainers (from other organization), they were nice people, we had a lot of workshops and games that opened our minds and help us set our goals… We also had a long day hiking in the nature, transformed in a non formal education activity.

Some of the people , the most “risky” dive into the cold lake..and we cooked 23 people together some Lithuanian “snacks” …

 

Nice team, nice topics, nice experience.

So far, Stefania has travelled around, for visiting one of our volunteers, being in Poland at that time:  

 “Before our departure, I had been in contact with Leonidas who was going to do his EVS in Poland..and I decided to visit him there. I stayed over 2 nights and we had really good time. I met some of his house mates..we hang around the city, in the parks, in museums, and I had the chance to taste some polish dishes.

 "I am preparing my new trips.."

                          ... and it is just the beginning for Stefania!!

My EVS!

I can’t remember the first time I heard about EVS, but I remember that I always knew that I wanted to volunteer. I regularly checked different EVS offers and in March 2014 I finally found a perfect project for me.

My project lasted 8 months and now as I’m back in Estonia I always look back on the project with a smile on my face. I think adapting to reality and to new situations is a very important characteristic to have when you are moving to a foreign country. Usually new beginnings are not easy and also for me it took some time to get used to my new job and a new life. I remember thinking that even though it can be hard at times in the end it’s going to be worth it. I think one of the most important lessons I learned was that if felt great to stand up for myself and by doing that I gained a lot of confidence. 

I often think about the patients who I spent time with. They were all always so friendly, cheerful and full of life and love. I most enjoyed the moments that happened spontaneously, when the patients danced and sang along the music, when I draw and solved puzzles with them or when I would just listen to music with them. Simple things like that would always make the patients so happy and it also taught me how small things in life matter a lot. 

Already during my first month I took part of trips, excursions and different events. I think it’s important to start doing things, visiting new places as soon as possible, as the time will go so quickly. I am very happy that I had the opportunity to spend my summer there as it was full of sunshine, travelling, parties and meeting with a lot of new people. I enjoyed all the trips to different islands like Mykonos, Zakynthos, Crete and to different cities like Thessaloniki and Nafplio but it also always felt great to be back in Athens. For me Athens felt like home already in the first months, I really liked living in this city and being part of this historical place.

During my time there I met with many amazing people and made a lot of wonderful memories. Athens and the people I get to know, will always have a special place in my heart.

Laura Piperal

Emily writes about her experience as EVS volunteer in our organization!

Emily writes about her experience as EVS volunteer in our organization

Emily comes from Germany and she arrived in Greece in January 2015, to take part, together with other 3 volunteers in our project, in the Day Care Center and the boarding house of EDRA.

Emily is hosted in the EVS house and she states:

"I feel absolutely comfortable and I am more than happy in the apartment with the girls!"

The activities in which she takes part during her voluntary service are helping the users making their coffee every day, drawing with the users, helping them making bracelets, necklaces, masks, things for the Easter bazaar, earrings, handicrafts, ecc or playing children games.

At the boarding house, as Emily writes " we are playing cards and other games, mostly we are drawing, we are making puzzles or masks" 

All the volunteers are making use of their free time ..so, Emily joined different Erasmus trips (Patras, Delphi) and one event of EDRA. 

 "I am happy to know my “new” friends!

 "I am looking forward to the coming time!"