My awesome and unforgettable EVS in Latvia
It’s incredible how fast time can pass by. Especially when you are doing something great and exciting as your EVS project. Yes I’m volunteer but why I did it? It’s the most frequently asked question because I had nice life in Tbilisi (Georgia), full of happiness and love. I have wonderful friends, a good job which is creative, fun and offers different activities. Despite all of these I was crazy for an adventure, to live somewhere differently, challenge myself and feel like I am taking all opportunities that life gives. Then I heard about European Union initiative of the Youth in Action program I said why not? For me it was some kind of experiment for refreshing my life but it’s most important and useful decision that I made to level up my personality. I left my family, my job, my friends and my usual lifestyle, but I never regretted about it, even just for a minute. I’m in Liepaja, Latvia since May 2010 as an EVS volunteer. My project can be described as 5 months full of joy, feelings, friendship, activities, adventures, experience, cultural shocks and tears (at the beginning because of homesickness, missing my family, my friends and at the end because of starting to think that it’s over, soon I will miss my friends in Liepaja with whom I have a lot of nice memories).
How it was and what means EVS for me?
Being volunteer isn’t easy, everything and everybody is new, but you should be ready for everything, be flexible and adapt easily. On the other hand being volunteer is awesome, especially if you are from EU partner country, where youth and environment are on the back side because of other more important problems. It’s opening a door to new life and opportunities, with your improved skills and knowledge. After EVS you’re starting to think become more active; do a lot of stuffs and most important you feel more confidence, you see your place and huge space of opportunities in front of you. EVS opened this door for me, gave more then just amazing experience, learned important things and made my heart and mind flaming. So now I have no choice and wish to step back, I’m going forward to this open door to share my experience, to act and react, to show youth their opportunities and power. For sure I will strongly recommend young people to participate, because it’s a huge experience in different fields. It’s a chance to get involved in a real process of multicultural learning, acquire skills for you personal and professional development. It brings mutual understanding and friendship between you and young people from different countries. Also it’s a unique opportunity for non-formal and in-formal education, for making up your mind and growing faster.
What will I say to next volunteer in NGO Radi Vidi Pats?
You are super lucky to get there. You will feel kindness and love like in a big family. It will open you alternative views; this small and active organization can offer you huge experience, open space for learning and chance to improve different skills. From nice people in Radi Vidi Pats you will get allot just open your mind and heart but don’t let your values to fly away. In this organization you will meet Agata (the head of organization), Stass (the hand of organization), Asnate (nice girl who is always ready to help you) and little Davis who bring positive energy with his smart and tricky eyes and big, big smile … you will love them. Thanks for them adaptation was easiest for me, they introduced me to local community, youth organizations and other volunteers in our city. But maybe first time it won’t be easy for you to understand Stass’ jokes, the sentences he’s using all the time, or why he’s thinking too much even if not needed. Why Agata isn’t giving direct orders, detail information or explaining what she’s waiting from you. Don’t loose time thinking about it because they aren’t typical, at the same time they are super flexible for your character. People in this organization will give you open space, they will put you on the crossroad and then you should react, but don’t repeat my mistake, don’t loose your time and react quickly. Work out what’s happening, where you are standing and which way you’ll choose. They won’t push you or give direction; they will just support and guide you. But all is up to you my friend don’t wait for someone who will give you “to do list”, switch on your mind and imagination, don’t be afraid to speak out your ideas, do what you want but don’t think that you’re the Boss, keep balance! At the end you will be thankful of such attitude, because it makes you stronger and sad at the same time realizing that they gave you more than got from you. It’s like this, just don’t forget about it and say thanks to them. I promise you will enjoy being with them and love them. You will be happy to be involved in youth exchanges, trainings or other project organized by Radi Vidi Pats. For next volunteer in Liepaja I will strongly recommend:
To do her/his best to get to the Positivus Festival
Try to be traditional Latvian during Ligo celebration
Visit old nice ladies in Liepaja and they will astonish you by their traditional Latvian songs and dances.
Meet Egita Zelve and her friends, who will add more colors to your new life in Liepaja
Follow 3 R’s: Respect for self, Respect for others and Responsibility for all your actions
And be better for Radi Vidi Pats than I was
My EVS project over full filled my expectations. It was most successful and productive project in my life. Radi Vidi Pats helped me to level up my skills, knowledge and attitude. I feel a bit guilty, I wasn’t as creative as I wanted, and confused at the beginning because of their life and working style, but know I will miss it and for sure will cooperate with them in future. It doesn’t matter where I will be or who I will be I will always remember these people, with feeling of love, respect and of course thankfulness. And you can be next lucky volunteer in this amazing organization, with amazing people so be smart and don’t lose this chance.
By Eka Kakulia, Georgia
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