Finally my doomsday came
Since I was child I had a dream-
To work with people as a team
To help those poor who are in need
It seems so easy to help a kid
Time showed – it’s a big challenge indeed.
Young soul wants to travel, to have fresh emotions
Always searching inspiration and truly devotion.
So, when the time for summer came-
I was looking for fame.
Thanks God my childhood woke me up
To become a volunteer a decision was made up.
I will reveal a secret that has no measure
Being volunteer is the biggest pleasure.
It’s such an unbelievable sensation
To share your experience with European nations!
You will find new life-long friends
Play new games, create jazz bands
Have excursions and promotions
And no limit to youth options!
Try new cuisine, learn useful words
Picture wild animals and birds.
Though the most important thing
Shines like diamond in the ring
You help people- and they are grateful
You share love-the cap of happiness thus full.
You is an ambassador of dear motherland
You build a treasure house and future never ends.
Want to have a lot of fun?
To EVS office quickly run.
European Voluntary Service-is up to you
What you wish – you will pursue!
All you need is energy and smiles
Desire to travel thousands, thousands miles.
Finally my doomsday came! Finally the happiest day of my summer came! I don’t know what to
expect. It is my first time that I am going to Turkey to save the world from the garbage. My granny is weeping over me, all last night she was sewing traditional Turkish long dress for her beloved granddaughter Nadinka. She blessed me and gave her wedding ring that shines for one kilometer distance. My granny is afraid that I might be lost somewhere, but it is not strange – she reads too many horror stories. My long-legged, blond friend Marta threatens to sell me for thirty camels in the bazaar, she is happy – it is also her first volunteer experience.
The air smells adventures. In the airport we met seven marry boys who were coming back from Kazantip (Ukrainian Black Sea festival). They are tired, sleepy with no money in pockets. For being very good boys police took them to prison for some time. I asked if they want to come back next year. Yes, of course- it is the best festival in the world – was the reply. Two-hour flight and we are in Antalia – beautiful Turkish city. It is extremely hot; the sunset is amazing, we are in the middle of nowhere and got lost. Though in a minute hospitable people came and helped us: ten hours in their car and we are in place. Then this Turkish couple took us to their restaurant and gave the most delicious sweets I have ever tasted. They did all this for free and only because we were their guests. Quests-are gifts in Turkey.
It is midnight. Marta and me are in Oren – the air smells, sea salt and watermelons. When we finally met a family of our camp leaders I had a feeling it was my own family. When we got to know these people better I felt I would stay in Turkey forever. As we were the first to arrive the best room in house was our. First day me and Marta were standing on the balcony, suddenly my eyes caught a smile of old man – he was calling us. It turned out that he is a sea dog and makes beautiful wooden earrings. He just wanted to hear about your hobby – and immediately created a miracle – earrings that suit your personality and image. He made a pair for every girl in the camp. I look at my pair – wooden anchor – symbol of hope and my heart is going back to Turkey. I think of a man whose kind eyes always observed our camp searching ways to help us in something, to do something that will please us and support in a foreign country.
On the second day I was lying on the beech and suddenly something hard landed on street lamp – it was a man with parachute at that time somebody screamed in Japanese I turned my back there was a girl with a backpack three time bigger than her.
“What’s your name?”, – I asked.
“Miki!”, she exclaimed – and widely opened her eyes. She loved life so much and the whole camp loved her.
We did a lot of job for Municipality. Firstly, we were cleaning an old school under the hot sun, everybody did their best, but in the end of the day we were tired and sleepy, but the way people smiled, thanked us gave strength and inspiration to keep helping people more and more. While we were cleaning the beach small girls and boys came to us and started helping. I was moved to tears when I saw how these small angels were keen to uprooting trees. Our Korean boys looked like fathers with 15 small children sitting near them and listening attentively.
We spend evenings in cafes listening to traditional local music. Near me sits Turkish girl – Asha fortune telling on aromatic coffee, Spanish boy is playing the guitar and I’m eating an ice-cream even bigger than my hand – the owner of the restaurant presented an ice-cream for us every day. What else can I wish? Love? Even love was present. Y-a-s-h-a-r-a-b-i ! Y-a-s-h-a-r-a-b-i!!
This is a name of driver of orange track that took us every evening from work. I met my Tractor boy as Spanish girl called him in this track. He spoke English just a little bit and I spoke a few Turkish words. Thought I knew he was the one as he came and join our camp, worked as hard as he could to help his local community. We danced, smiled at each other, worked together. It was strange but so good. Camp lived its own life – with happy days and sad days when somebody had fallen ill. Most important we all learned how to support each other, how to understand each other without words. By helping others we learned how to help each other. We worked playing, and played working. There were two games in camp secret killer and secret friend. It was so funny when Marek tried to kill my friend Marta with a plastic fork in public transport. It was so nice preparing gifts for your secret friend.
Usually we spend whole nights singing, dancing or chatting near the fire. It was so hard to wake up next morning. Though even me who likes to sleep sooooo much woke up with enthusiasm. It was understandable there is no time to waste –our mission is to help, to represent your country and to take the most that host country suggests you. We had meetings with the mayor of the city, higher authorities, and journalists. There were new activities and tasks every day and no time for boredom.
The friendly camp atmosphere inspired everybody to restore the old football stadium, houses and accommodations for the footballers. I remember being so proud to see that sportsman from all around Turkey came to live there. Camp leaders even organized a championship between our camp and professionals. Friendship won)). Just imagine the best goalkeeper was my friend Marta!! She in her colorful dress played so good – I was shocked. I knew her personally for five years and I was amazed how active she was in camp, her leadership qualities were growing day by day. Volunteerism reveals our best features. Seeds of kindness that were once sown in our souls give growth more and more while you are helping others. It is not easy, but so worth it!
Camp made me stronger, more active and open-minded. It is the best chance to discover the whole beauty of close interpersonal relationships.
Marta and I were the first to come and the last to live. Every hour one or two person left, and I felt like they are taking away with me a part of something invaluable- their ideas, thoughts, smiles, but no it is not true- all the volunteers will remain in each others hearts forever. I don’t know what life will throw at me today, tomorrow, next weak, but what I know for sure is that while looking at our camp pictures I have an inspiration to work harder, live happier and organize volunteer project in my own country. Project also encouraged me to learn Turkish and improve my Spanish and English skills.
by Nadiya Pavlyuk, Ukraine
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