ON ARRIVAL TRAINING. JENNIFER SOTO

So, last week was my on-arrival training in Warsaw.

I was very excited but at the same time I had no clue what to expect for the training.There were a lot of people from different countries and ages living in Polanddoing this volunteering experience abroad. 

It was a week full of activities, games, discussions, challenges and learning. We had time to hang out, explore the city, share experiences and embrace the cultural differences. They gave us many tips on having the best experience in Poland, how to adapt and solve conflicts, deal with the cultural shock and a few polish classes, too. We had a lot of fun. 

We had a time to share our culture and our super power. It was very interesting to teach and learn some words in different languages, do some yoga for beginners, rules of thirds in photography and basics of football. Learn the Georgian alphabet, the most traditional dishes in Turkey, important facts about Ukraine and the Spanish dance called Macarena. We also did puppets for shadow theater and much more.

The days passed by, we kept knowing each other better and became friends. 

For our last night in Warsaw we visited a couple of museums because last saturday was the International Museum Day and that meant night at the museums.

Museums have a different charm at night and the city looks spectacular, and surrounded by amazing people, looks even better.

 

HIGHLIGHT OF THE WEEK: My favorite part was the traditional polish dances presentation, I enjoyed learning some basics dance steps even though I’m not good at all. 🙈

From this experience I realize that, although all of us come from different countries and continents, we share social and political realities, some dishes, similar traditions, the aim for traveling, discovering the world, learning and keep learning, taking chances, exploring, and of course, helping and doing volunteering service wherever we are. That’s what got us here.

This week was to wide our vision of the EVS experience. It’s about voluntering, living in another country, exploring new places, make connections and, as a friend told me, it’s about growing and to become a citizen of the world.

:) 

-Jennifer Soto

EUROPEAN YOUTH WEEK

EUROPEAN YOUTH WEEK

Last 9th May we joined the European Youth Week 2019 in Warsaw University Library.

We participate in different activities and met other volunteers from all around the world, having a good time. To share our experiences and ideas. 

At the debate, we disccused about the importance of voting, the reasons why young people don't vote these days and what the politicians can do to motivate them 

It’s important to generate the spaces for young people to get involve and interested, to take full responsibility and participate, because, democracy is a series of small steps. 

We have to teach and empower the kids how develop the abilities to talk with the people in charge, in their school, communities and local governments, how be more comfortable around them to start working together. 

For the concert, Wojtek Mazolewski Quintet performed. It was the best way to end this day. 

You can check their songs in their official YouTube page, they are really good with very interesting mixes.

Activities in the day Care Center

Making Easter cards:
 One week before Easter we made Easter cards and passed them on to other children. We had many different decorations and papers to choose from, as well as some templates, whether eggs or Easter bunnies, anyone could make his card as he wanted. I helped the kids use the hot glue gun because they burned so fast. The children were very helpful and so each child made several cards, which they then gave away

Presentation about Germany: Children are curious, especially if someone comes from a foreign country, they want to know everything about the country, that's why I decided for a presentation and a quiz about Germany. The topics were very child-friendly, in addition to the general geographical situation, the typical leisure activities of children in Germany was an issue. The children were amazed that despite the other country there are many similarities, because German and Polish children love to play football. In the quiz then came general questions about Germany, the children were surprised that the favorite tea in Germany is mint tea and not black or green tea, as usual in Poland. The afternoon was fun for the children, they laughed a lot and learned a lot.

VOLUNTEER SERVICE IN SCHOOLS

VOLUNTEER SERVICE IN SCHOOLS

Today we visited  public school Jana Pawła II in Płocochowie with Tobias and Jennifer.

Jennifer explained how the school system works in Honduras and what are the main volunteer activities for kids in Honduran schools with Sylwia's help. 

In every school in Honduras there's a school government runned by the students and each one can vote for their favorite candidates. Also, there's a groups of kids that help in the election day with the process. Before the elections, the candidates even run a campaing and go to each classroom and present their proposals. 

Some schools have a Youth Movement coordinated by a school professor. They do diverse activites all along the year like: visiting the seniors bringing them clothes, foods and just to have a nice time with them, sometimes they play with them, activities to raise money for phsyscally disable kids or to do other activities with the community or also, celebrate Childres's Day in a countryside public school.

The kids were very excited to make the "German-Honduran" quiz. Toby was in charge to make the questions, they learned a lot and they were suprised to find out what the currency of Honduras (by the way, it's LEMPIRA)