Agnieszka, EVS in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Carpe Diem
As it turned out after our arrival in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the headquarters of our organisation Carpe Diem was undergoing reconstruction after the 2014 flooding. The interior of the building was in a raw state, so at the beginning our work consisted of small works to clean up the place and make it more accessible and cosy for the local people, volunteers and employees. The first undertaking was to make an inscription: „Norwegian Youth Center Carpe Diem” with the logo, preparing the center for the official opening and to meet with representatives of the Norwegian embassy.
Because the Polish language is not so terrible.
Since the centre became fully operational (i.e. after renovation after the flood, cleaning, interior furnishing, etc.), language courses have started. The languages we have been conducting were: Polish, German and English. We had 2 groups from each language, twice a week. Our personal success and joy is Gordana – a mature woman who has beautifully learned how to use endings in Polish. Great satisfaction!
Cinema evenings
For several months we organized film screenings in our center. We displayed new films as well as cinema classics. Most people came at the beginning. We also had a „children’s cinema” for some time, but unfortunately, due to lack of interest, this idea didn’t work. Due to lack of equipment, the film screenings were suspended. They were to be resumed, but despite the purchase of the necessary equipment, there was no such possibility.
LGBT
In February 2016, we organized an anti-discrimination event, mainly aimed at LGBT communities, but not only. The preparation of this event caused much controversy among the local community. We met with aggressive verbal reactions. A colleague and the head of the organization received a lot of negative news on the fejsbuk, we were hooked on the streets. Although not many people came to the event itself, it was worth it. It was the first undertaking of this kind in Dobój. The discussion started and we were told that it was extremely important that we started a loud debate on this topic.
Here is an article on this topic, which appeared in the local media:
One of the aims of our project was community service and integration and cultural exchange. Doboj, although it is a multicultural city, is struggling with prejudices on many levels – ethnic, religious and national. To meet this problem, we often hold talks and discussions with the inhabitants, which aim to open the minds of the natives to the advantages of the cultural wealth of the Balkans and to mutual respect and understanding. Through our polemics, we try to eliminate local excessive nationalism.
Fat Thursday
Our activities for the benefit of the local population were aimed, among other things, at introducing Polish culture and our customs. That is why we organized an event in Carpe Diem – Fat Thursday. We baked crispy, fruit dough and donuts, so called cakes with a hole. The event was varied by the screening of the Polish film „Fat Thursday”. The event was varied by the screening of the Polish film „The Day of the Snorkel”, which was very much appreciated by the audience. We also try to refer to the topic of Polishness during the cooking classes, during which we told the participants the recipe for delicious dumplings with cabbage.
Promotion of EVS and Erasmus+
During our project we organized a number of events promoting EVS and Erasmus+. We presented the opportunities offered by participation in projects, what procedures should be followed if you want to qualify, how it looks like „from the kitchen”. We talked about our attempts and search for a project for ourselves, about our disappointments and successes – small and big ones. In the meantime, we have been and are also available to interested people, we offer advice and help. Through our presence and activities we have become an inspiration for other young people – both in Bosnia and Poland. During our classes we very often discuss EVS. One of our charges was chosen for a project in Poland. Another person is looking intensively for a project for himself (unfortunately it is not so easy for Bosnian citizens, but all the volunteers are very committed to it and we do our best). Our friends in Poland are also interested in EVS. Among other things, two people have already left for their projects, another one is searching intensively and is ready to leave.
Cooperation
Carpe Diem, during our stay, established cooperation with another local organization. Members of the Red Cross came to our Centre many times, where they organized their meetings and prepared for first aid competitions, in which they are more and more successful. Some of them also belong to the folk group. We were invited by them to one of the rehearsals of this group, during which we were presented with a traditional dance of the circle in many versions.
Poetry evenings
In order to give an opportunity to those interested in poetry, we organized poetry evenings with the local poet. We discovered one exceptional talent. Unfortunately, as is the case in the Balkans, the project died quite quickly of natural death due to the lack of interest in further cooperation by the trainer. Balkan straw fervor.
The wall of unification
Doboj, which is a multicultural city, is inhabited by Serbs, Bosnians, Croats, Roma people and a small Jewish community. The divisions by nationality, religion, ethnic group are still present among the local community, and the theme of war is constantly alive. That is why we placed inscriptions in different languages: Serbian, Bosnian, Croatian, English, Polish, Russian, Ukrainian and Italian on one wall of our centre, in order to start, although to a small extent, the process of reducing the divisions here.
Cooperation with the Polish consul
We have also established cooperation with the Polish consul, Mr. Robert Ambroziak. He learned about our stay in the Balkans from other Polish volunteers and therefore decided to visit us in Dobój. After this visit we were invited by the consul to the Polish embassy in Sarajevo. Mr. Robert showed us around the capital and the surroundings. We had many common plans for our future cooperation, including participation in an event organized by the Polish embassy in Tuzla and work on a family festival in Dobój. Due to the change of consul these plans were not realized.
Carpe Diem finally visible
Due to many difficulties in finding our organization, we decided to carry out an individual project, consisting in repainting the wall in front of the entrance to the building. Thanks to this undertaking, no one has any problem with finding us anymore. What is more, now the surroundings of Carpe Diem look more accessible and friendly.
Charity Dinner
Together with another EVS volunteer we organized Charity Dinner, to which we invited all our students and friends. The idea of the evening was to have a dinner together, coffee and to collect donations, which were used to buy things needed for the activities in the center.