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RETHINK, RESHAPE AND AWAKE THE COMMUNITY IN NEA SERMILI THE PROJECT WAS IMPLEMENTED AS PART OF THE EUROPEAN SOLIDARITY CORPS
THE BEGINNING The beginning was like a test. It was time to adapt to new conditions, circumstances. To face a different reality. Completely different from the one I left. My name is Malwina and I am from Poland. I took a part in a long-term volunteering for The Hives Project foundation in Greece.
When I arrived in Greece, I started to get used to it and talk about current tasks at that time. In the beginning my job was creating content and graphics and gathering information. FIRST TASKS I prepared infopacks for upcoming projects, created visual designs for our posters, leaflets and banners for upcoming events, including the European Solidarity Corps conference in Athens or The World Café project for local people.
THE WORLD CAFÉ PROJECT •For the world cafe project, I also prepared graphics and content, but I also got acquainted with the methodology of theworkshop work. It was a very interesting initiative, which was supposed to broaden the perspective during the conversation with the local community. The theme of the project was communication in male- female relationships. For each of the people participating in the project, I prepared a separate topic that we were supposed to talk about. And the World Cafe method itself was not intended to solve any real problems, but only to bring new ideas and broaden the perspective of both participants and organizers. •However, the most important lesson for me was establishing relationships with local organizations in search of a place and participants for the project. I certainly learned a lot when it comes to organization and interpersonal communication.
EXCHANGE ACTIVITIES I don't think anyone has any doubts that the thing that brings people together the most is cooking together. That is why we also organized a preparation of Polish dumplings for Greek friends on the occasion of Easter.
EXCHANGE ACTIVITIES II Easter in Greece takes place a week later than in Poland. That's why this year I had the opportunity to experience this time twice! And of course, it was not without cooking with the Greeks. Here, however, the traditional dishes look a bit different, because on the occasion of Easter in Greece people eat lamb leg roasted on a spit. And of course, the tzatziki sauce must not be missing on the table!
SOME FREE TIME •A trip with the European Solidarity Corps is not only about work and projects. I had plenty of opportunities to spend a wonderful time in nature. Admiring sunsets, swimming in the sea, getting to know Greek culture and people! Greeks, but also people from other countries. For me, the most important aspect in my experience has always been and will always be people. It is thanks to them that you can learn a lot about culture, habits, but also about yourself. It was here that my greatest adventure in getting to know myself began.
FIRST AID WORKSHOP The Hives Project is dedicated to raising awareness among the local community on the many topics. One of our ventures was to organize a first aid workshop in one of the local cafe. Apart from taking pictures, which I was responsible for during these workshops, I learned a lot of interesting things about first aid.
THE WHITE RABBIT HOSTEL Over time, my duties changed to even more social and with the move to the White Rabbit Hostel for the summer season, new and even more cooperation-developing tasks were added. Here I was also responsible for maintaining order and space. Performing typical tasks that are performed in a hostel for tourists, such as: cleaning, washing dishes, helping with cooking or cooking together, preparing rooms before the arrival of guests or helping in the garden, such as watering or pulling weeds.
YOUTH EXCHANGES WORKSHOPS Between 17 and 23 June, we organized youth exchanges workshops for people with disabilities from Greece, Croatia and Italy. I was involved not only in helping with the implementation of the space and main cleaning works, but I also encouraged the participants to take part in activities. The workshop itself was amazing. Their task was to create a safe space for people with disabilities or excluded for other reasons, to help them open up socially, to support them in finding themselves in society. And give them some fun and a break from everyday life.
YOUTH EXCHANGES – FACE YOGA WORKSHOPS •During the workshop, I organized and led my own face yoga workshops for participants. Everything took place on a beautiful beach next to our hostel.
WORKING IN AN OFFICE IN ORMYLIA, CHALKIDIKI. •I started from the cleaning the entire office. During my stay, we also started a new project called Time to Move in the cooperation withthe EuroDesk program. And a new volunteerjoined our organization. It was my last month of my adventure with European Solidarity Corps.
THE END OF MY PROJECT •During my trip there were challenges as well as beautiful moments. I met many wonderful people, learned a lot about Greek culture, people, customs, but also about myself. How I react in different situations and how I can develop further. I am most grateful for the fact that I was given a lot of time that I could use to be creative in creating initiatives. It is definitely an experience that I will remember for the rest of my life.
