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Final presentation_Daniel Kwiecien

Feel free to check Daniel's Journey through the ESC Volunteer Project in Portugal.<br>

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Final presentation_Daniel Kwiecien

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  1. Volunteering in SOPRO 08.2023 – 04.2024, Barcelos, Portugal

  2. About the project Name: Picture it, Build Your Future ⚫ Origin: European Solidarity Corps ⚫ Duration: 8 months ⚫ Location: Barcelos, Portugal ⚫ Sending organisation: FRSP ⚫ Receiving organisation: SOPRO ⚫

  3. How it all began ⚫ After 3,5 years of working full time, mostly during a difficult time of pandemics and next to some unpleasant events in my life, I thought it’s time to refresh the idea of volunteering, which I had in mind since 2019. ⚫ Soon I was about to turn 31, so that was the last chance to get enrolled. The „now or never” situation helped me to take the decision – I wanna go!

  4. The place From the very beginning I was sure that I want to volunteer in Portugal. I had very narrow knowledge about this country and was curious what’s it like. ⚫ I managed to find an opportunity in northern Portugal, in a local NGO supporting local community – SOPRO, based in Barcelos. ⚫

  5. The activities within the project ⚫ Garden works ⚫ Warehouse ⚫ Local senior center ⚫ Various events

  6. SOPRO’s Garden SOPRO’s office is located in a house which has also a garden. ⚫ The idea is to gradually transform this area into a better looking place that will be more useful and versatile in the future. ⚫ In the summertime, garden requires frequent watering, to protect herbs and young trees from drying out. ⚫

  7. Warehouse Warehouse is a place where SOPRO keeps various goods. ⚫ Starting from old books and waste paper, through clothes and food of long expiration date, ending at furniture like bed mattresses or desks. ⚫ Volunteers help to receive and place donated goods, repack clothes from boxes to bags which will be taken by a company that sorts them. ⚫

  8. Senior center Located in the suburbs of Barcelos, gathers local elderlies to enable them socialising. ⚫ Seniors play various games (like bingo, boccia, uno or domino), sing folk songs along the man with accordion, or perform easy stretching according to the instructor's guidance. ⚫ The volunteers support transporting the seniors from and to their houses. During their stay, help the staff to rearrange the space or perform usual tasks. ⚫

  9. Various events Every so often SOPRO holds youth exchanges and training courses. ⚫ SOPRO also participates in gatherings of similar organisations operating nearby. ⚫ We the volunteers, take part in them and support where it’s necessary. ⚫

  10. Trainings Long-term volunteers are provided with two trainings which allows them to understand the concept of volunteering better and meet other volunteers as well. ⚫ I participated both on-arrival and mid-term trainings. First one was a compact group of around 20 people, while the second... ⚫

  11. Trainings …while the mid-term training took place in Lisbon, where it was connected with the International Volunteer Day. ⚫ That came down to a large event, with hundreds of people and program locations also outside the hotel. ⚫

  12. Free time & days off In my spare time I managed to see most of the Portugal’s recognisable places like Porto, Lisbon, Braga or Algarve - featured on the photos. ⚫

  13. Free time & days off I also found the time to explore villages and small towns nearby Barcelos, which in my opinion are even better! ⚫ Why? They are far more genuine than typical tourist destinations. ⚫

  14. A reflection Even though most tasks were easy to me, living abroad for 8 months, where nobody speaks your mother tongue was a challenge. But in the end, worth trying. ⚫ As you can find out throughout the project, it’s less difficult than you probably were assuming. ⚫ Simply remeber that you don’t have to be perfect to be good enough =) ⚫

  15. A reflection Long-term volunteering is also a right choice when you feel a need to step off the daily treadmill of studying or working. ⚫ To stop for a moment and review the life you left in your home country. ⚫ Who and what do you miss? Or maybe you don’t miss at all? ⚫

  16. Summary Volunteering within European Solidarity Corps is a great opportunity, both for they in their early 20s and they around 30. ⚫ It’s not only a fantastic adventure and possibility to get to know a different country, but also good time for your personal development. ⚫

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