Caroline & Andy – EVS in Georgia2020-01-16T16:43:06+01:00

Caroline and Andrew, EVS in Georgia

Caroline and Andrew went to Ozurgeti in Georgia for their voluntary work. See how their stay was going and how their work in the organization there looked like.

The beginnings…

 

The first event we took part in as volunteers was Polish Day. We organized games and plays connected with the history and culture of Poland. On the occasion of International Kitchen Day, each volunteer prepared delicacies popular in their country. As representatives of Poland we prepared dumplings, fish in Greek and apple pierogi. The tasting for all Ozurgeti residents was organized in the square before the cinema. In December it was time to celebrate Volunteer Day together with volunteers from Georgia. We prepared short interviews about volunteering and also a quiz about the EVS program.

Hungry?

February was under the sign… of food. As part of a common breakfast, we organized a tasting of various sandwiches for the inhabitants on the square in front of the cinema. We promoted a healthy diet. On the occasion of Fat Thursday, together with young people from the disabled center, we baked favorites and cookies.

 Something for women

On the occasion of Women’s Day, we distributed flowers to all women we met on the street, in the supermarket, in the office or on the marshmallow ? In the evening, we organized workshops for women – according to the home prescription, we made fragrant bath balls.

(Karolina) Zumba Dance classes were very popular. I conducted classes at school (one group) and at the children’s centre. Together with volunteer paula (with whom I co-managed the Zumba) we were invited by an American volunteer to a town near Kutaisi to lead the Zumba for local women. We succeeded ?. About 10 women came to the class, which I consider a success – it is known how difficult it is to motivate people to act, especially in small towns.

Film… (Caroline)

The film workshop consisted of two parts: theoretical and practical. During the classes

The youth had the opportunity to learn the secrets of production and film directing. Workshops from meetings typically „theoretical” turned into meetings where participants could record short films based on their scripts. The classes were attended by many people at the beginning, but eventually the films were prepared by 5 people aged 13-15. Within the framework of these workshops we organized two events: a film screening in a café in Ozurgeti, during which residents had the opportunity to watch animated films by students of the Film School in Łódź and the Film Competition, during which participants could show their films based on their own ideas. The films were evaluated by an international Jury (volunteers from Germany, England, Poland, USA, Georgia).

For almost 8 months in Georgia I learned first of all patience. To children, but also to adults. If it rains – you know, kids will not come to classes. Sometimes there are also organizational problems (adults cannot get along with each other) and you have to wait to start your workshops. I also learned humility to my work and ideas. At first I thought there would be crowds at my workshops – eventually 5 people come to the film workshop – now I appreciate it. because these are children who are interested in this subject. If I inspire at least one person to act – for me it is already a success.

Because sport is healthy. (Andrew)

In a village near Ozurgeti, I taught basics basketball, mainly in Russian, because some of the children speak different levels of the language. I noticed that thanks to my classes, local youth started playing basketball more often and undoubtedly many of the participants in my classes improved their basketball skills and deepened their knowledge about the rules of the game itself.

The assembly for the animal shelter in Batumi

We also joined in the promotion of a fundraiser organised by our colleague, also a volunteer. After two months we managed to raise money for Georgian animals! We showed the history of Batumi shelter in a short film:

What about language?

Carolina: After only 6 months of learning Russian I was able to get along freely with Georgians, because most of them know the language. I was able to get along without any problems with marshrut drivers and even negotiate prices 🙂

Andrew: After few months I could speak Russian on an advanced level. Apart from the course in organization, a lot gave me a chance to learn this language on my own (by means of books, websites) and to talk to the local community or other people during the journey, whether in Georgia or Armenia.

We also invite you to watch a film documenting EVS Karolina and Andrew in Ozurgeti!

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