Great time in Georgia

Hello everyone, My name is Annemarijn and I am a Dutch ESC volunteer in GYE in Rustavi, Georgia for four months. Right now I have been here two months and I am going to tell you about my amazing experience so far!

In these last months I have had so much fun working at GYE. My colleagues are really nice and we always have a good time at the office. At times we play games with each other or just talk in our work breaks.

I give English conversation three times a week, once with kids and two times for youngsters and adults. With the kids I play games and make drawing while learning English. With the older group I talk about a lot of different topics, like traveling, the school system and sometimes just having fun like friends.
I also have drawing club for kids. The club is before school at 11 o’clock. We usually search for a drawing video on YouTube and go through the process step by step. The kids don’t really speak English so we communicate throughout hand gestures or someone translates between us. This can sometimes be difficult because there can be easily some miscommunication, but it is also a fun challenge and I learned that you can come a long way with just hand gestures.

Four times a week I go to a kindergarten in Rustavi with one other volunteer and we teach the kids some English by playing games or watching short movies and reflect on them. The kids can be very energetic and a bit too much at times, but they are also very sweet and really enjoy our lessons. So all together it is a good experience!

Two times a week I have Georgian lesson with an amazing teacher. We practiced what we learned the last time, learn something new and laugh a lot while doing it. Georgian is a difficult language, but I do really like learning it. Because you need the language much, you see your own progress very good and gives me motivation to continue.

On occasion we have some Erasmus+ Youth Exchanges or other types of projects, for example a Christmas market or setting up summer camps, and we all help to prepare and run them. These projects can be in collaboration with the Scout Center in Rustavi. Then it is even more fun because we get to work and hang out with all the volunteers.

My apartment is a 1-minute walk from the GYE office. I live with two other volunteers, one also from GYE and the other from the Scout Center. In the beginning some of us had to get used to living together, but right now it is really nice. The other volunteers are in the apartment across the hall from ours, so we hang out a lot and have so much fun! I really like everyone here and have made some really good friends. Not always everyone gets along, but we try to talk about it and fix it. So it doesn’t become a problem and up to now it worked.
I am truly enjoying the variety of nationalities I have met, because you learn more about the way things go in other countries, the culture and some national traditions. Even games or food can be so different, but so much fun to try!

Georgia is such a beautiful country, the nature, people and of course the food! I never thought I would feel so much at home here, as I do. Georgia really got a place in my heart and I will definitely visit it more often after my stay here. I am so very grateful for this amazing opportunity and know that I will remember this for the rest of my life!

Levan Aptsiauri - ESC volunteer's story

Challenges always benefit us and life is really full with surprises and unplanned decisions. A few months ago, I probably could not have imagined that I would be living as a volunteer in a foreign country that was unknown to me before, and this is how the relationship between me, Latvia and Radi Vidi Pats began. Not even two months after starting my volunteer service in a completely different environment, I remember many doubts, fears and an unclear emotional background were accompanying me during the way from home to Kutaisi International Airport, and the way from Riga Airport to the
destination was so foggy that it was difficult to predict anything. There were many questions right away, the most remarkable one was about my professional or personal development, because it was hard to break away from my (legal) field of expertise, in which I am still developing myself today, although after a short interview with my current project coordinator, the inner voice dictated to me all the time that this is exactly where I should be!!!!

Today I pursue my projects and ideas with a completely different mentality. I do my favourite work with great motivation and enthusiasm, and I don't feel tired. Thanks to the locals and the
people I already know, even the cold weather cannot affect my motivation and character. I was surprised by the excitement of these people towards Georgia, which led me to open a Georgian language circle in Latvia, and I’m also pleasantly surprised by their interest in my language. I have the opportunity to participate in activities to support Ukrainians who are living in Liepāja, where I teach English, and together with many other wonderful people we are trying every day to provide as much help as we can. I am actively involved in the socialization program in Liepājas Prison too, which is very challenging and requires a lot of responsibility, but gives a lot of fun as well. 

All this happened in 2 months, and I still have 10 more to go!!! Show must go on :D

Zhenia Sakanelashvili’s ESC story

Hello to Everyone. I'm Zhenia, a 20-year-old student from Rustavi, Georgia, and I'm going to share with you a short story of the happenings that took place in Krakow, one of the most breathtaking cities in Europe, which is also home to some of the loveliest, friendliest, and most supportive people. Krakow is a city rich in culture and history, with architectural excellence. Everything had an easy beginning. For years, I've wanted to take part in the ESC project. The comfort zone is the cause of why it remained only a desire. But when the moment was perfect, I submitted the Krakow application, I felt that I was ready and now here I am.

My project started in September and it'll take 10 months. It is difficult to condense all the benefits, but the environment that permeates both inside and outside of the school is the first thing I can mention. After facing many things, I can say now that, despite individual differences, there are no limitation to what humans are capable of. My host school is absolute heaven. It is impossible to go there and not transform. Even one day is enough to leave entirely changed. I've been observing the attitude toward kids every day for the past three months. THIS IS MORE THAN CARE.

In addition to the school's uniqueness, during these three months, I underwent a noticeable personality change. Furthermore, I met and got to know a lot of people from various nationalities and religious backgrounds, which improved significantly my intercultural communication skills and encouraged me to step outside of my comfort zone and bravely take on new challenges.

After completing this project, I will be certainly a completely different person who continually strives to have an active social life. I want to express my deep gratitude to ESC and GYE for providing me with the chance to join the large ESC family as a volunteer for this.

ESC in Rustavi - Laurin

Hello, I’m Laurin from Germany and I’m volunteering at GYE in Rustavi for one year. I have been here for already 2 months and so many great things happened already!

My tasks are mainly doing German conversation clubs for youngsters and young adults which I really enjoy, but also supporting ERASMUS+ youth exchanges by running energizers and get-to-know-each-other games and general support for the group leaders. The youth centre also offers other activities, such as national evenings or outdoor activities which I help with. In the future I will also assist teachers in one school for German and French classes.

Working with international people brings me a lot pleasure, it is so cool to have volunteers from different nationalities (although many of them are German) and Georgians and other European people. It helps to reflect on your own culture but also gives you so many opportunities to learn about other cultures.

I have already seen many different places in Georgia, I was in Kobuleti, Lagodekhi, Udabno, Stepanzminda and visited Tbilisi many times. What I like most about my voluntary service is that while I am doing a meaningful job, I still have enough free time to travel and explore the country. I’m so happy to be in Georgia because it is a completely new culture for me, everyone is so welcoming and the nature is incredibly beautiful.

Although I had some difficulties in the first weeks, I feel very lucky to have a safe place here in Rustavi where I can be myself as a queer person and have people around me who support me regardless of their nationality. I didn’t expect that, but I guess I’m generally surprised by the extreme comity of Georgian people, which certainly doesn’t exist in this form in Germany.

As I have just finished school, it is the first time for me to live in a foreign environment without my family for a longer period of time. I love my flatmates a lot, we support each other and have a great time together.

I’m very glad that I took this opportunity, there is no other place I would rather be than here now. 

Volunteering in Vilnius

Hello, my name is Vakhtangi, I’m 18 years old, from Georgia and I am volunteering for the European Solidarity Corps (1 year) project in Vilnius, Lithuania. 
I work as a volunteer at a day center “šviesa” for adult people with mental and physical disabilities.

My primary responsibilities as a volunteer are to assist center visitors with their daily needs, to help them during their classes, to provide them individual attention, and to engage in activities. I have a wonderful time with them, we are drawing, having walks, listening to music, constructing puzzle games, and so on. Especially now, during the summer we have so many exciting outdoor activities, on lakes and rivers. For example, last week we had a trip to the Lithuanian seaside city of Klaipeda, we spent a great time in the hot weather in the cool Baltic Sea. I have never met such warm, honest, and kind people as “visitors” of the center. They like spending time with us a lot. They are always ready and willing to share their emotions, thoughts, and, most importantly their works from the day. They give me wonderful emotions and sincere friendship. 

I am going to have a day of presentation of my country and I will definitely try to bake our country's traditional food  Khachapuri with my hands and taste it together with my friends at work.

I must mention that this project is a great experience for me, for several reasons: this is my first time to live abroad, the first time I live so far from my family, the first time I live with foreign-speaking volunteers, the first time I get used to create own independent life in a completely foreign country. Huuh…  It's a great challenge! I've been in Lithuania for four months already, and when I remember myself in the first days… :))) I see a lot of changes in myself, and I'm very happy about this rapid development. 

My sending organisation from Georgia is: Georgian Youth for Europe.

The project is coordinated in Lithuania by: Saltes.

Hosting organisation in Lithuania: Dienos centras "Šviesa".

Many thanks to all of them for such an interesting experience and opportunity. 

Warm greetings from Vilnius, 

Vakho Inasaridze

My time in Georgia

I have been living in Rustavi for three months now. I arrived on a cold February morning. Aleks and Nana picked me up from the airport and gave me a ride to my new home on Batumi street. In the beginning, I was a little bit lost in terms of my duties. I did not have much experience in the field of working with youth. But that wasn't much of an obstacle because I had great support from my coordinator and colleagues. Now I can say that I'm very well integrated with the team and, I get a lot of satisfaction from my work.

My daily tasks are mainly, conducting English lessons both one to one and in bigger groups. We also organize various educational and cultural activities. Besides that, I was involved in a couple of Erasmus+ youth exchanges. I'm very grateful for that experience I had now an opportunity to work with groups from Denmark, France, Lithuania and Latvia. Working with people from different countries, cultures and backgrounds brings a lot of diversity to my daily routine and is something I see myself doing in the future.

Besides work, there is also an extraordinary country to explore. I had an opportunity to explore Georgia before on vacation with my parents. I was amazed by both culture and nature here. When I found out that they are looking for volunteers here, I didn't hesitate for a second to send my application. Even though Georgia isn't a big country, the diversification of nature here is astonishing. You can wake up in the desert and go to sleep in a tropical forest the same day. I'm trying to explore Georgia as much as I can, but also the neighbour countries. I had an amazing trip to Armenia which was also my first time trying hitchhiking which was an experience that I'm going to remember for a long time.

I still have almost three months till I will go back to Warsaw. Without hesitance, I can say that decision to take part in the ESC project is one of the best decisions in my life. Every day I learn a lot not only about the work I do here or culture but also about myself. Meeting new people, trying different things and putting myself in new situations is something I think will pay off in future. I can only say that I strongly recommend to anyone taking the opportunity to volunteer in European Solidarity Corps, especially in Georgia.

Szymon

ESC in Rustavi - Katia's Story

Hello everyone! I am Katya, a volunteer at Georgian Youth for Europe. I came from Poland, even though I am originally from Belarus. 5 Months have already passed since I landed at Kutaisi in December to spend several months in Rustavi.

I had previously visited Georgia and was excited to come back! Georgia for me is a country of hospitable people and amazing nature and all these months I have spent here so far can only prove it.

My main activities as a volunteer include English lessons for youngsters and organizing various cultural and educational activities. For examples, in February we organized the first edition of YOUth TALKs, an adaptation of the TEDx format, where young people are able to share their personal stories. I have also organized a series of workshops related to Human Rights issues and political discussions on the topics such as the “Relations between Russia and Ukraine”. Apart from this, I am involved in some bigger projects such as Erasmus+ youth exchange that we had in April for young people from Georgia and France; I had a chance to prepare and conduct some of the activities. Currently we are planning a training course for Georgians about Hate Speech and how to deal with it.

My free time I usually spend with other volunteers from GYE or Scout Center or some GYE participants. Therefore, we sometimes explore Tbilisi together. I really love this city for the variety of things you can do there: I have been watched the spectacle in the theatre and visited an art exhibition. I have also managed to travel a bit and see the mountains in Guria and Borjomi and the seaside. But the most impressive for me were the mountains in Kazbegi as I have never seen such high mountains! The view was stunning! I hope to travel more and come to the neighboring Armenia as it is getting warmer.

I would encourage everyone to take this challenge to live in a new country as it is truly unforgettable experience!

ESC story - Shota Gelashvili

I can tell my story started from the Moment the plane landed in Vilnius. It was the 10th of January almost 3 months ago. From this moment I knew I had an amazing time ahead and I was not wrong. On the next day my coordinator took me to my work place at the Technic Center where we met my colleagues, children and the staff. 

It took me about two or three weeks to adapt with the new workplace, new people, new environment and the harsh weather of Lithuania, coldness and frost. The month started with already planned classes with children who are taught robotics, coding, new technologies, inventions and new programs. It was a wholly different experience for me. I've never been in touch with coding and programming. I had to learn everything from the bottom. We also had some chemistry and physics as well as some crafting classes. We are of course made robots again. I spent some time with all the volunteers and they are amazing, adorable, intelligent people. We plan meetings together, we moderate conferences together, we plan Mutual projects together which are going to be about minorities, their rights and future possibilities in post-soviet societies. In February , pretty much everything was the same. There are classes which are already planned. I have to help teachers check for supplies, charge all the robots and iPads, and come up with some new ideas regarding the follow-up classes. 

In the beginning of the March 4-5 days we had on-arrival training in Trakai (Lithuanian Bakuriani) . I met so many new people and new volunteers from other cities like Kaunas, Klaipeda, Panavejis and Vilnius. We spend time together. We came up with new ideas. We exchanged our opinions regarding their personal projects. In the end I got acceptance from some volunteers that we are going to plan one project together which will not be a personal project but a group project for all volunteers.

 After we arrived it's been kinda ironic. because we live 3 together in my apartment, me, one from azerbaijani, one from Turkey. In February Turkish girl had covid, in march azerbaijani girl got positive and now I'm infected too, so Covid doesn't give us any chance to travel around to see new places, at the same time the weather is not perfect shining, it's always cloudy and cold that we are waiting for summer to come. 

One of our teachers' ideas was to create a Lithuania country shape from computers and electronic details. I loved this idea from the moment she told me and we started working on the project. It was from February till March 11th. On March 11th Lithuaninans have another Independence Day. to be exact its independence restoration day. so this project took us 2 weeks to prepare all the materials for the shape, To make that shape smooth and representative. The project was so massive, the shape is about 2 meters in length and 1 meter in width. It drew the attention of national television and we were on one of the afternoon programs. The teacher and I were talking about how we did it, what the main idea was, what challenges we faced and also I mentioned about volunteering, the awareness in society and what volunteering means in general. so many people do not know about it as I'm not living in the capital. I live in a small city called Siauliai. We also mentioned the war in Ukraine. This topic is crucially important for Lithuanians as well as for Georgians because North's neighbor is Russia for us, and Lithuania has borders with Russian plus Belarus. 

I also have to mention my presentation which took place on 24th of February in one of the schools our Center has educational activities. I explained to little children where Georgia is, what language we speak, what Georgian people actually look like, and how the Georgian alphabet is completely different from everyone else's. They got so interested they learned some Georgian words such as, Gamarjoba, Madloba, Nakhvamdis. After that we had some quiz about Georgia, main questions like what the currency is, what the capital of Georgia is, what language we speak, and so on. The winners got some Georgian coins as a souvenir and they were so happy. With Legos we built Lithuanian and Georgian flags.

I also have to mention the interest people show when I say that I'm from Georgia, but actually I don't say that I'm from Georgia I say I'm from Sakartvelo, and they know what I mean by that because Lithuania is the only nation which decided to call us by our own name, as we call them by their names and it's Lietuva, not Lithuania. I feel included and warm-hearty welcomed here. 

I was planning a new lesson for kids in second and third grades with robots. Oh, they have to code the way on Georgian maps. For example they have to go from Tbilisi to Kutaisi or from kutaisi to Batumi, but it will be on a code map with robots, they have to use some symbols, front, back, turn and recording puzzles and get their own way through. Now I got tested positive with covid-19 so probably I have to stay at home for the next two weeks and I will have some time to think about and get my project more sophisticated and come up with new ideas as well. 

While I'm volunteering here I also study in Georgia Ilia State University online and this is 1 + challenge for me too. Maybe because of the distance, time difference and that overlapping schedule. But I do what I love the most, I talk with children, I'm in a creative environment and I meet so many new people who are absolutely adorable. In the meantime I made friends with future leaders. I would say as currently we are working on projects which will help European solidarity Corps raise their standards. To make it short everything is going great and we keep working. So my project is supposed to be 1 year. It's been just three months. I have nine months left. One fourth of my project is already covered and I used this period to get used to the environment, people, social rules and the country in general.

Ana Dekanosidze - ESC Story from Lietuva

Hi everybody. I’m Ana, 25 years old. I’m doing volunteering in Lithuania, Telšiai. Telšiai is a small city with beautiful lakes.

I work with youngsters to help their informal socialization. This is a long-term volunteering program and I will stay in this country for one year which I believe, is a perfect opportunity to get to know this country well, expand my horizons and acquire new skills.

I studied Cultural Studies at University and that’s why for me it is extremely important to meet new cultures and people. While I’m staying in Lithuania, I’m learning Lithuanian language which helps me to understand this culture and people better.

Volunteering is about giving and being happier, however, it can be challenging as well - prior to my arrival here, I was thinking that I would interact with youngsters in English, however the reality partially met my expectation; A lot of them do not speak English at all and thus, that was a huge challenge at the beginning of my volunteering. That’s why, I decided to find other ways to interact with them: such as entertaining and educational activities to improve communication with them.

It has been only 2 months since I am here and I already overcame challenges I faced, made friends and gain a deeper understanding of myself and the world around me. ESC volunteering gives you an opportunity to discover new passions in a relatively less stressful environment and helps you to broaden your perspective in many directions.

Nino Karanashvili ESC story from Poland

It has already been five months of my voluntary project coordinated by AKWEDUKT in Kwidizyn, Poland. I work in the integrated kindergarten, where children different diagnosis and healthy children go together. I am absolutely in love with my job. I like to help the kindergarten staff in daily life. Most of all I like to help the children to achieve a small daily success. We do handcrafts, we sing or play.  Now, wonderful spring weather gives us opportunity for walking and outdoor activities. Working in the kindergarten is the job where I find myself the most comfortable.

Together with AKWEDUKT organization, we made Culture Days for children in Kwidzyn. During two weeks, volunteers from different countries have organized particular days to introduce their culture with the children. We created very happy, interesting and memorable days for the children and ourselves.

Besides the job, I traveled in Malbork and Gdansk - wonderful Polish cities. Together with volunteers we celebrate birthdays and make parties when we share our cultures and emotions. Our coordinator organization AKWEDUKT has accepted many volunteers from Ukraine. We support each other as much as we can.

In future, I plan to organize Georgian and English workshops for teachers in the kindergarten. I also plan to travel in different European countries and finish my Master’s studies that I do online. Some of my co-volunteers plan to visit Georgia in the summer.

ESC story from Portugal - Natia Lelashvili

Ola! My name is Natia Lelashvili, 29 years old, from Sakartvhelo, also known as the nation of Georgia. I came to Portugal as a volunteer of the European solidarity corps not knowing what to expect, but my life has forever changed with this program.

Prior to coming to the program, I’ve always loved exploring the unknown, and worked in my country as a tour guide, offering people the chance to experience the remarkable beauty of my country. Selflessly sharing the things I love the most inspired me to get out of my comfort zone, and do the same, in a faraway land!

I didn’t know what to expect when I arrived, but I fell in love with the beautiful coastal cities, the warm hospitality, and most importantly, the feeling of life slowing down.

I was greeted in the program with like-minded, kind and fun people, who shared a passion for creativity, thinking out of the box, and exploring different ways of learning to push themselves forward.

During my time, the program has challenged me in many exciting ways that have made me want to continue to improve myself. The day-to-day tasks always felt like a new adventure, that ranged from dancing, teaching, solving puzzles and most importantly, working with the local youth to uncover modern day issues such as global warming, pollution, and ways to solve them to create a greener, brighter Portugal. Every interaction felt like a positive impact on the local community that left me with a sense of fulfillment!

Amongst our team, together we had a chance to experience the Azores, that instilled a sense of family and unity. All the leaders, mentors and mentees put work aside and explored the island life together, in a beautiful and relaxed setting. Together, we swam in volcanic hot water springs, indulged in meats steamed underground from the boiling volcano water, and interacted with the charming local people. 

My program will end in April.  I am honored and beyond grateful to meet such wonderful people, engage in an exciting project, and get a chance to open my eyes to a new culture and way of life!

ESC Story from Estonia - Tiko Bajelidze

Hello, my name is Tiko and I am from Georgia. My profession is psychologist, and for the past 5 years I have been working with kids with special needs. To be precise, kids with autism spectrum. I was employed as a behavioral therapist.  Also, for one year I was working as a teacher in special education needs in one of Public School.

I love to travel and don't like to stay in one place for a long time and when my friend told me about European Solidarity Corps Voluntary project, I realized that this will be an amazing opportunity for me to get experience and change my life drastically. I would be able to know people from different cultures and lifestyle and at the same would be able to show them my own culture.

As I was experienced in working with kids I decided to volunteer at school facility  but, at the same time, I wanted something that would be completely different from what I've already done in the past. And that is how I ended up in Estonia in the city called kohtla-jarve. My hosting organization is Kohtla-Järve maleva põhikool, middle school. I am assisting my coordinator in organizing different off-study activities, planning international projects. In the last 2 month our school hosted 2 international delegations, that were part of Erasmus+ program. Those meetings topics were about ecology. Students from different countries shared with each other their countries experience in this particular theme. I often organize cultural evenings where I try to tell students about Georgia and Georgian culture. With my colleague volunteers I often take part in events that are organized by our leading organization Vitatiim. 

I want to say that this project really helps youth to get very important life experiences, to become more tolerate and accepting towards every human being.

ESC story from Estonia- Mariam Nebieridze

Tere! I am Mariam, 22 years old from Georgia, an ESC volunteer in Tallinn, Estonia, and I would like to share my story. Before I started my volunteer project, I got a bachelor’s degree in International Relations and recently applied to a Master’s program in Gender Studies. During my studies in Georgia, I was involved in various non-formal educational activities and volunteering programs, and I decided that it was high time to challenge myself, and use my skills usefully. That’s why I decided to become an ESC volunteer, and in May, I received the exciting news that I had been selected as a volunteer in Estonia for 11 months.

Now, I am a volunteer at Kesklinna Noortekeskus, this is the youth center that offers lots of opportunities to youngsters and promotes non-formal educational activities. It’s already been more than 3 months since I arrived in Estonia, and I can confidently say that every working day is exciting for me. My coworkers, youngsters, and environment, on the whole, are amazing, and I’m sure that this is the place where I can get not only a life-long experience but also learn various aspects of youth work and evolve my skills.

Most of my volunteer work includes getting involved in the center’s daily activities as well as contributing my own ideas. For instance, I’m organizing cultural evenings. So far I've held Georgian and Greek cultural events, and it was a great pleasure to introduce my country, its history, culture, and cuisine. Furthermore, every week we implement various events thanks to the Youth English Club, funded by the local youngsters; on their own initiative, I had the opportunity to hold a workshop about ESC and volunteering in general. Additionally, we carry out some outdoor activities, even during the period of working remotely, turned out to very interesting for me.

Additionally, I’d like to emphasize another immense benefit of volunteering that is expanding my social circle. Heretofore, I’ve met a number of like-minded volunteers, youth workers, or youngsters that not only broadened my network but also increased my social and relationship skills. Thus, I believe that by the end of my volunteer work, I’ll be full of new ideas and will continue doing youth work in my country.

Finally, I’d like to mention that ESC projects are great opportunities for young people to broaden literary horizons and contribute to becoming a better version of themselves. The opportunity to make at least a small contribution where needed, meet people from different parts of the world, adapt to a new place, discover and live in a winter wonderland - Estonia is what I’ve always wanted to have, and I’m grateful to everyone who has given me this chance.