Meri Tsitskishvili - "Forest Tale" ESC project in Bulgaria

I have heard about the volunteer program a long time ago, I have heard a lot about how great opportunities the experience and knowledge of the volunteer program will give you, but I have never had the courage to take this crucial step. 

However, when I read about the forest tale, ESC project that involved a group of volunteers from different countries began on March 19 and ended on May 17 in Varhovrah, Bulgaria. Project mission was to promote and encourage an ecological and sustainable lifestyle through and intercultural perspective.

I had never heard of Bulgaria before, all I knew was that it belonged to the Black Sea countries. I realized it was my chance. I am from an industrial city where ecology is a major problem. This project gave me the opportunity to learn about ecology and find a solution, the most important of which was to attract people interested in caring for the environment. The project gave me a lot of opportunities to work with the team, plan activities and take care of the environment, but the most interesting was to make a small film that left a small message to the public - take care of the environment. Also culinary and traditional days, which shared many cultures and allowed me to imagine my country, where we prepared many Georgian dishes, as well as prepared Khinkali for sixteen people and taught Georgian dance, which many volunteers wanted to learn. After which many volunteers expressed a desire to see Georgia.

It was unforgettable to discover Bulgaria while traveling to its beautiful cities or villages, I prepared a dazzling traditional Bulgarian cheese that is very tasty. We hosted a fire team with whom we were preparing the scenery and one evening we saw a fire show. The project was loaded with lots of exciting activities, I learned to work with the camera and I learned to shoot the right shots.

I can confidently say that my life has changed dramatically during these two months. I want many young people to experience volunteering, as similar projects offer young people another stage of development and opportunities

8 month in Georgia

It seems like yesterday when I arrived in Georgia and saw my first Marshrutka. Even though that first it was from a hotel room where I needed to stay in quarantine because of… you know (I swear I will not use the name). Then time started to fly and now it has been almost 8 months since I arrived in Rustavi, Georgia. First time everywhere, new people that I have never seen, food that I have never tasted.

Then, I travelled around, met a bunch of new people, tried a lot MORE of Georgian cuisine and wine (both awesome) and saw a bit more that Georgia has to offer. I started my own lessons and activities with the local youngsters and we managed to maintain some contact even in the harder “online/curfew” times. I had lessons for the economy and environmental sciences (both from my field of study and interest) and I met up with the people from the Czech embassy, who are working here in Georgia, not only in international development but overall in diplomacy (also my field of interest). And with some we become friends. I encountered the local groups of volunteers not only from Rustavi but also from Tbilisi, Gori and Ozurgeti (and online with people volunteering in other countries east from my homeland). Together we have some nice adventures, but as time is flying, some of us are slowly on the way to other places further away or closer to our common time in Georgia.

I have to admit that even though Georgia did not give me what I expected when I applied, it gave me valuable time to do whatever I wanted to. I have not used it fully yet and there is always room for more discovery and exploration and better time management (something that I struggle deeply with). I used that time and invested it where I see potential. With all this in mind, I know that I am not the person that I used to be before I came here. I have grown up and from now on I will always have Georgia on my mind and in my heart. 

It became a game-changer in my life and even though I do not know where my other paths will lead me to I will be glad If at some point in the future it will be to Georgia again.