LINK #122

LINK november 15th 2018

N°122

NOVEMBER

Editor: June Extremiana Designer: Carolina de Melo Crista

#LINKEXPLORE 3

CONTENT Contact About us Youth Center program

5 EVS, K.A.NE. 6 Who are we?

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VOLUNTEER'S FREE TIME Workshops in Youth Center. 14 Free Time in Kalamata 15 Trips in Greece 16 NEW BEGINNINGS Niek Den Boer Marco Piga June L. Extremiana Ivan Doer Elodie Fremaut Carolina de Melo Christa

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ADDITIONAL TOPICS My Sending Organisation My Project Interview with a Local Volunteer Interview with EVS Volunteer

Lunteren, Netherlands Sardinia, Italy Valencia, Spain La Valletta, Malta Lille, France Porto, Portugal

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K.A.NE. EVS: Alexandra Morin Anna Khighatyan Carolina de Melo Christa Caroline Gouveia Cintia Marues Daniel Payne Elodie Fremaut Ivan Doer June Laborda Extremiana Marco Piga Marine Kafer Neda Mijovic Niek Den Boer

Staff members of K.A.NE.: Filaretos Vourkos Jelena Scepanovic Nancy Kanellopoulou Nantiana Koutiva Antonia Vrioni Georgia Griva

@kane.kalamata

WHO ARE WE?

carolina

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elodie

niek

My name is Carolina de Melo Crista. I am 21 years old and i already finish my studies in business communcation.

Now, i am doing like a gap year in order to decide what i’ll do after.

I love to travel, to meet new people and to see sunsets. Doing sport, watching a good movie or beeing with friends are the best ways to spend my time.

Bonjour ! My name is Elodie. I come from France. I’m social worker educator since 2014. I’m in Kalamata for 6 months. I’m volunteer in a dog shelter and also, in a therapeutic horse-riding. I’ve decided to do this SVE for discover a new country and news cultures, acquire news skills, share my knowledges, to improve my english, meet other volunteers from other countries.

I am Niek, I'm 30 years old. From a small town in the Netherlands called Lunteren. I will be a volunteer for 12 months here, in Kalamata.

In my freetime, I like to create, read good book or scientific article (psychology, philosophy, history etc), or watch good art-house movie. Sometimes I like to make photographs.

CAROLINE

marco

june

My friends call me Carol, but my parents like Caroline better. Although I was born in Madeira Island, I always felt my home was the whole Earth. Belonging to a huge, weird and kinda unique miscellaneous family, I grew up surrounded by lots of culturally (and other -lly’s) different people. From African and Latin American roots to my Portuguese hometown, exploring diversity, nature and discover amazing new places have always been great passions of mine!

I’m Marco, 21 years old. I come from a little town in the south of Sardinia, currently living in Kalamata for two months to discover the life around there and learn everything I can from the people in and out the EVS! We’re now 6, all different, in the same house: everyday there’s a new memory to build together. In my free time I like to read scientific articles (mostly about linguistics and geography), enjoy the nature (I love hiking), and try new activities, often in the Youth Center of the city.

My name is June and I´m 23 yrs old. I´m a law graduate and in February I will start my master to be a lawyer in the area of Human Rights and Enviromental Law. Currently I´m living for two months in Kalamata volunteering in the “Re-Think Farm Project”. I was born in Valencia but this last 3 years I´ve been living in Bristol, Paris, Bournemouth and Bolivia.

Volunteering and traveling are two of my passions and in my free time I like to read, draw, go to the movies and take pictures with my camera.

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ivan

daniel

cintia

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Who am I? A human being, or, an evolved animal?

It's really hard to give an explanation by using only words. So, I'll prefer to let my actions speak louder than my words. But you know what? I'm Passionate about Life and Nature. I spend a lot of time studying human behavior, what is a sort of a hobby for me. My biggest motivation is to learn from life and make my eyes see wider. I decided to quit my job, so I could catch the opportunity to experience something unique in Greece.

Hello, my name is Dan, I’m 19 years old, and I come from Manchester in the UK. I’ve lived in Manchester all my life and will be living in Kalamata for 2 months helping at the youth centre and the dog shelter.

Manchester’s a musical city and that’s one of my biggest interests! I love to spend my free time listening to electronic music, producing it, DJ’ing or playing instruments. I decided to take part in an EVS project when I was in Romania for an Erasmus+ mobility of youth workers course.

Hey! I’m Cíntia, i’m 23 years old and i’m an Occupational Therapist. I’m from Leiria, a city in the centre of Portugal, but i was born in Switzerland, because my parents were immigrants there. I have a sister nine years older than me and a niece with 5 months old. I love animals, i have 2 dogs and 1 cat. Being a scout is a big part of my life, that allows me to travel, have adventurous activities, learn, teach and volunteer in different areas. I also love music and to go to concerts whenever i can.

anna

marine

neda

Barev! I am Anna from Armenia. Honestly, in 28 years of life, this is my first time abroad in Europe. I am going to stay 8 months here in Kalamata and it is a long time for me to discover everything in Greece: live, love, experience new emotions, meet new people, create new stories, explore new streets. This is a great way and opportunity to get to know me, myself, to discover something new in and outside.

After this project, I am going to make a short movie or a video about my story, my EVS, my vision, dreams and goals.

Bonjour! My name is Marine, I’m 28 years old and coming from France. After studying Business Administration, working in Marketing and travelling the world, I will now stay in Kalamata for 10 months, working at the office of K.A.NE. I decided to volunteer here to get to know the functioning of an non-profit organisation and to set up my own European Projects!

During my free time I like to play volleyball, go diving or read fiction books. This year, you also gonna find me at the German language workshop.

Hi, I’m Neda and I come from Montenegro. Activism has been my passion since high school days so I’m thrilled because of the idea of working at the K.A.NE’s office and help to create more opportunities for young people. Some of my other passions are traveling, dancing and good music and I hope I’ll get the chance to nurture all of them in the following 9 months.

Can’t wait to discover the Greek way of life and get to know the country!

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K.A.NE.

FILARETOS

jelena

NANTIANA

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Hello, I am Filaretos Vourkos. For the last 15 years I am working in the field of Non-formal education as a volunteer, youth worker and youth trainer. 10 years ago,I decided to create the Youth Centre of Kalamata, in order to initiate youth work in Kalamata and promote active citizenship as factor for change.

Hi, I’m Jelena Scepanovic,an EVS coordinator in K.A.NE. and a volunteer of the Youth center. I came from Montenegro in 2012 as an EVS volunteer. I really liked the idea of the youth center and the work that K.A.NE. does, so I decided to stay and be part of it.

My name is Nantiana Koutiva and i am working in KANE as project manager.

I have studied greek philology and I am teacher of greek language as well. I love travelling and organizing festivals.

Nancy

antonia

georgia

Hello World! I’m Nancy and I’m working in K.A.NE since 2017 as a Project Manager and EVS/ESC coordinator. I’m passionate about meeting new people and exchange knowledge, experiences and ideas. I love the fact that many young people visit every year my hometown Kalamata and contribute to our society.

Hello! I’m Antonia and I’m 23 years old. I studied business administration in Athens and now I’ve been working in K.A.NE. as administrative officer. I’m really enthusiastic to be a part of this team and work together so that young people have more opportunities to meet different people and cultures, exchange ideas, travel the world and open their hearts to new adventures!

Hello, my name is Georgia Griva. For the past 5 years I am a youth worker and project manager. This journey in youth field started in 2014 with my first youth exchange and my EVS in Istanbul. I am proud to be member of K.A.NE. which represents my vision and my values as human and as active citizen.

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VOLUNTEER'S FREE TIME workshops in youth center ELODIE I’m in Greece since the beginning of August. I was looking forward to the opening of the youth center. I registered for salsa. This dance has always attracted me and it is an opportunity to try. This dance allows me to clear my mind. I love it. Also, i registered in the English class to improve. I teach French for the advanced level. It’s rewarding to share my knowledge.

NIEK In the youth center i am sharing my language in the dutch class. I can share the advantage of having a native speaker around! I enjoy this hour, the interaction with the students is what makes it fun.

IVAN There is plenty of diversity in the Youth Center’s timetable. For me personally, the most attractive workshop is kick-boxing, also is the only workshop that take place more than once in a week.

Salsa classes, that gives you the basic knowledge about the steps of dancing since first attendance.

And why not to visit the “Greek for beginners”? If you will stay a long time in Kalamata, that might be a useful one.

MARCO The Youth Center is so full of opportunities! I could try ukulele, traditional Greek dances, dutch, but my weekly loved rendezvous is tai chi! Every Monday I can relax and breath out all of my thoughts, with the moves of an ancient Chinese art. In few days we'll have new classes too: capoeira and bartending, so see you there!

JUNE The workshops in the Youthcenter makes my week so much fun and interesting. On monday I´m doing tai-chi, I´ve been wanting to try it since few years and I couldn´t be happier because at the end of each session I feel so relax and connected with my body. On tuesday I have Movie Science X (the teacher is the EVS volunteer Ivan), I was really surprised because I didn´t know what to expect but I´m 14

learning a lot of interesting things about the movie making. And last, on Thursday I have Advanced French (with EVS volunteer Elodie), it´s really nice because she is a really good teacher and the group has a really good level.

CAROLINA I decided to experience one workshop that I never tried, the kick boxing, and another I am used to, The Salsa, in order to improve my dance skills. I am really enjoying the Kick boxing even when i get sick in those days, or feel really tired. I am learning how to defend myself and there i feel that i expelled my bad energies. In Salsa, i feel like a bird when comes the Spring, happy and free.

free time in kalamata ELODIE Kalamata is a vibrant city. There is so much to do. I like hiking with the Hiking Club, have a drink on a terrace, go to the beach or simply read a book... And of course, go shopping!

NIEK When I arrived in Kalamata it was 1 of september so I could enjoy to be on the beach in the sun.

Now the weather is starting to change and I am finding new ways to spend my free time. But it is never about the place but always about the people.

IVAN It’s always an option to simply get out of apartment and take a sit in a local bar. Beer with potato chips are always a good combination. For more adventurous people it’s nice to take a walk to the beach, or, take a trip to the mountain. At the end, why not to go somewhere to eat.

Big portions and tasty food will make your evening.

MARCO Where can I start? Clubs, parks, restaurants, a lot of bars, cinema, international shops, super friendly people in the street, so nice that you can just enjoy your time walking around, meeting new friends, and greet new people! Ps. If you're a fan of Latin music, take a look at Anais Club in Iatropoulou (near Bistroteca) every Thursday night.

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JUNE After my work I usually feel tired but also really calm and with energy to do other things. On my free time in Kalamata I like to go to the beach, take a coffee, go to the cinema, read a book or simply walk in the center. I also like from time to time to take a sweet bite in places like the Blossom Owl or to take a beer. I just love to be around Kalamata, and the good weather always allow you to take a walk.

CAROLINA I leave my work at 4 pm then I arrive at home and I need to cook, eat and clean. So, only from 5 pm I have free time. Sometimes I decide to rest a bit ,another times ,watching a movie. However, when i feel more energy, i like to go out, to take a walk at the beach or meet the other volunteers. And of course, to attend to the workshops.

trips in greece ELODIE I arrived on august 7th. I visited beautiful cities with other volunteers, alone or with a Greek friend.

Pylos, Polylimnio, Stoupa, Koroni, Kardamyli and Monemvasia have a special place in my heart. At home in France, the horizon is flat. Here, there is a lot of mountains ! It’s so different!

The Peloponnese is full of wonderful panoramas.

NIEK For coming here I made a road trip from the Netherlands. I saw a lot of beautiful places and when i crossed the border of greece I had the feeling Ii arrived to a destination where I started to feel like a tourist ! I decided to stop when I saw a nice beach with a beautiful view . I also visited the waterfall of Polylimnio. I stayed the night to see it in the morning. It was empty and a beautiful place to wake up and start your day.

IVAN How lucky you need to be to arrive in Pylos exactly in the day of celebration of historical battleship that took place somewhere in 19 th century? Well, some of us were lucky enough to catch this moment. It’s better than just a regular visit. You face a lot of people of different nationalities and take a free tour on an navy marine cruiser.

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MARCO The Peloponnese is a wonderful place to travel around: I've been to Polylimnio, Pylos, Voidokilia, Verga, Methoni, and of course I've turisted in Kalamata. Every of these places was such a good spot to create memories (and nice photos!). This week I hope to go to Diros Caves, Monemvasia, Sparti and Mystras, but the time is never enough: shame!

JUNE Peloponesse has a lot of nice cities and spots to visit. So far I went to Polylimnio which are an amazing waterfalls where you can swim (I did it and the water was frozen, around 7º). Also we visited Pylos and Voidokilia beach. Pylos it´s a really cute town near the sea and I strongly recommend to go to Voidokilia because it´s really beautiful and the water has an amazing turquoise color. The last place we visit was Koroni, which is a little town with a castle in a cliff (in my opinion looks like a Game of Thrones location).

CAROLINA Me, June and Marco, decided to travel each weekend. So, in the first week we just start to discover the city, kalamata. In the next week, we came to Polylimnio waterfalls, and was really funny. I have stories to tell about it. In the week later, we visited Pylos and Voidokilia beach. We came on the holiday. So, many things happened in the city , like belic historic celebration, and there were some things didn’t work. The city is small, but beautiful. The sea gives happiness to city. There a lot of bars, restaurants, and good views. Was sunny, so, i enjoyed.

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MY TOWN

lunteren, netherlands

Lunteren is a town in Gelderland, the Netherlands. It has a railway station on the line between Amersfoort and Ede. It is well known for three conference centres in the vicinity, including Het Bosgoed, which mostly hosts academic conferences and De Werelt Congress Hotel.

It is also famous because the Geographical Center of the Netherlands is located northeast of the village, and because the National Socialist Movement in the Netherlands ("NSB") held their annual Hagespraken (propagandistic open-air meetings) there between 1936 and 1940. In 1938, the NSB built what is known as the Muur van Mussert ("wall of Mussert") there, which was planned as the first step in a large conglomeration of buildings and monuments for the party.

NIEK DEN BOER 18

MY TOWN sardinia, italy

Beni bennius in Cabuderra!

Or, in other words, “Welcome to Capearth”. We’re not psychopaths, anyway, we don’t think we are the bosses of the world, but the city just took its name from the region of Caput Terrae, the southernmost promontory of Sardinia. Well, you can see a lot of graffiti saying “Cabuderra rules!” , scattered around the city, but come on, that’s also culture! So, main sights: flamingos, the beach, beautiful mountains, the rugby team (super popular here), saltworks, and the best place where you can eat: … grandmothers’ houses!

About free time, Capearthers love to go running or hiking, and depending on the season you can even look for food in the mountains, like berries, snails, asparaguses, mushrooms, almonds, oranges, 19

and even birds; and small salted birds (like robins), are a typical specialty of the area.

The town is not too big, but together with the small hamlets around, the municipality reaches 24.500 people. There are a lot of buses, especially to reach the capital, Cagliari, and you can move freely by foot or public transportation. Cabuderra is also the sardinian municipality with the highest percentage of foreigners and you can actually feel this because of the accents and the surnames, and if you’re a guest, you will see the differences in the house, because sardinians for example, usually want a fireplace, the TV in the kitchen and not in the living room, baskets on the walls as decorations, and of course, you will notice the difference on the menu.

I don’t know if anyone of you will ever come to my town, but be prepared to enjoy simple things and people, and live in a relaxed way, even if the locals seem so stressed: they will never admit they love the city, but give them a month abroad and you will hear them missing so much Sardinia and all the small things they are used to complain about. Love and hate go always together here, be prepared.

MARCO PIGA 20

MY TOWN

valencia, the city of fire (spain)

Although, I was born and raised in a little town called la Eliana with 18,000 inhabitants that it´s 20 minutes by car from Valencia, when they ask me where I am from I always say from Valencia. That´s because even I love la Eliana and it´s a really cute town with cafés and rock bars, I spent more of my free time and I study in Valencia.

Valencia is the third biggest city in Spain and one of the most beautiful in my opinion. Valencia was even the capital of Spain during the second Republic!

Valencia is the perfect travel destination, it´s not an expensive city (you can sleep and eat for affordable prices) and has a lot to offer.

THE OLD CENTER The Old center it´s called “El Carmen”, it has a lot of ancient buildings and also is the meeting point of the Erasmus parties. You can visit the Central Market, the cathedral, “La Lonja” and a lot of amazing art museums (like el Centro del Carmen).

Also there is a lot of graffitis and street art. El Carmen also has a lot of bars and cafés, my favorite one is called “Alma Libre” and you can have an amazing açai.

In “El Carmen” the old and the new live in harmony.

BIKING THROUGH “EL RÍO” One of my favorite activities is biking and Valencia is the perfect city because it´s flat and we have the old basin of the “Túria” river converted in a beautiful garden which cross the city, so you can cross all Valencia by bike through a beautiful river.

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CITY OF THE ART AND SCIENCE. This area of Valencia was designed by the famous architect Santiago Calatrava.

It´s formed by different buildings as the Hemisferic (IMAX cinema room and planetarium), Museum of the Science (interactive museum of science, perfect to visit with kids), L´Umbracle (a garden with sculptures), el Oceanográfic (the biggest aquarium in Europe). This area is beautiful, and you can just be around and take a pik-nik if you don’t want to pay for the attractions.

L´ALBUFERA L´Albufera is a natural park only 10 km from Valencia and it´s where the Paella was invented. It´s the biggest lake in Spain and with a great ecological interest and a huge variety of aquatic birds. A perfect day in L´Albufera would be eating a Paella in the town near by “El Palmar”, take a barge trip and see the red tones of the sunset.

RUZAFA Ruzafa is my favourite neighbourhood, it´s what we could call the “hipster” neighbourhood. It has a lot of cute cafés, art galleries, vintage shops and libraries and is where I usually meet with my friends. Also it has a lot of cool clubs if you are into indie or rock music. My favourite café is “Dulce de Leche” where they do the best cakes in Valencia GASTRONOMY In valencia the King of food is the rice, we love rice. Our star dish is la Paella of course, but we have many other dishes with rice as “Arròs del senyoret” (rice with seafood), “Arròs a banda” (rice with fish, sea food and alioli: this one it´s my favourite),“Arròs al forn” (rice with potatoes, tomatoes, sausages and blood sausage) or “Arròs negre” (rice with squid and his ink). Another traditional food that you can´t miss is the “horchata” with “fartons”, the best place in Valencia is “Horchateria Daniel”. La “Horchata” is a drink make with chufa (a plant), sugar, lemon and cinnamon. You should drink the horchata eating “fartons” that are sweet long soft buns. Also, now that is the trend of the brunch, in Valencia we take “el esmorzaret” that consist in eating between the breakfast and the lunch a meal that usually consists in a “bocadillo” with olives, peanuts, a drink and a coffee.

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LAS FALLAS FESTIVAL AND MUSIC FESTIVALS. The most known festival from Valencia is “Las Fallas” that runs from the 15 to the 19 of march, it´s a touristic event and since 2016 is intangible cultural heritage of humanity by UNESCO. Each neighbourhood of the city has an organised group of people “Casal Faller” that works during all the year and they build “la falla” which is eventually burnt. Many events are going on this days, we have during all the month of Marchat 2 pm in the city council “las mascletás” an explosive barrage of coordinated firecracker and fireworks displays. Also we have “La Nit del Foc” (the night of fire), where there are firework displays in the old riverbed of Valencia. And the main event “La Cremà” on the night of the 19th where these falles are burnt as huge bonfires. It´s the most amazing time of the year, the streets are full of people,

colours and gunpower.

Also in Valencia we host a music festival called “Festival de les Arts” where in the past editions has come bands as Crystal Fighters, Mando Diao, the Vaccines, Kakkmaddafakka or the Fratellis. It´s an amazing festival because it´s in the city and I went two times and I wasn´t disappointed.

JUNE EXTREMIANA 23

MY TOWN

la valletta, malta

THE CAPITAL Valletta is the capital of Malta. It sits on top of Mount Sceberras and has wonderful examples of baroque architecture dating from the 16th century. Valletta is the largest harbor town in Malta and from The Upper and Lower Barrakka Gardens you’ll get incredible views of the Grand Harbor.

BARRAKKA LIFT If your cruise ship is in the Grand Harbour, you will want to go to Valletta, or you want to go to the Valletta Waterfront from Valletta city, then the lift is the way to go.

Not so easy to find but saves a lot of steps up or down.

PJAZZA TEATRU RJAL A very major renovation to the entry point of Valletta has included this controversial decision which changes the site of an historic open-air theatre. The jury is still out on that decision: Maltese critics point out that it provides no shelter from the hot 24

FORT ST ANGELO On the one hand all the Forts are the same, however, they are not. Yes, they have history with tales of battles won and lost, massive walls and great views. What made Fort St Angelo stand out was the people who run the Fort.

SHRINE OF OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL The dome of this church dominated the Valletta skyline.

It is very light and airy inside which is much different to the other churches in Valletta.

Well worth a visit, it has a beautiful dome roof and alter. A lovely piece of calm on a busy and hot day.

SIEGE BELL WAR MEMORIAL It’s a nice monument but as always something you discover. The size of the memorial is awesome so it's worth making the effort to climb up the steps to the top. From the other side of the water it looks like nothing at all. Very atmospheric.

ST GEORGE SQUARE A big square with beautiful buildings and nine streets. Fountains for the children to play in. Shops and restaurants.

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IS-SUQ TAL-BELT VALLETTA FOOD MARKET It looks neat enough, but it is really a glorified airport food court with overpriced food and pitiable service. This is not a food market - it's just a series of food joints.

Plenty of other options around Valletta.

THREE CITIES

The Three Cities are not overly exciting from a tourist perspective and are very similar to the backstreets of the main part of Valletta. The streets are quiet but there is not loads to see. This might be good if you have lots of time to kill but otherwise there are better things to spend your time on.

IVAN DOER

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MY TOWN lille, france

I live in Orchies, near the belgian border. The city is between Lille and Valenciennes.

In this article, i will talk about Lille. Lille is the capital of Hauts- de- France, a region of Northern France. Today, cultural center and lively university city, it was once an important trading platform of French Flanders. The historic center, the ÂŤ old Lille Âť, is characterized by 17th century red brick townhouses, paved pedestrian streets and large central square.

CULINARY SPECIALTY The typical dish of the northern region of France is "welsh".

The welsh is a rich meal made from melted cheddar with beer that covers a slice of bread with ham and egg. To eat this excess of cheese, we dipped french fries.

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THE MOST IMPORTANT EVENT Braderie de Lille (sale of personal affairs). (This event brings together about 2 000 000 people. It’s an unmistakable meeting in Lille life. The restorers form a large pile of shells on the sidewalk. It’s the tradition.

«CITADELLE DE LILLE»

Built by order of Louis 14 to conquer the city, the construction of the citadel was carried out from 1667 to 1670. 110 hectares of the park of the citadel make it the biggest green space of the city, place of afauna and a flora varied.

The alleys of « old Lille » are full of charm. I love to walk there. It is a city that welcomes many students. Many events are organized. I like to walk in green spaces. It’s a colorful, warm and welcoming city.

ELODIE FREMAUT

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MY TOWN

porto "the invicta" (portugal)

For many people this sentence may not make much sense, but let me explain you from the point of view of a person that was born and raised here. Everyone likes this city because is really beautiful. However, what makes Porto special is the people. Portuenses are super friendly, welcoming and nice, that’s why everyone who visit the city loves it.

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In the past, it was a important place because of its historical value, the conquers and the brave soldiers. It's also important to mention that they had never lost their battles, so it is called “invicta”.

Nowadays, Porto is considered the second main Portuguese city which once was Portugal’s capital. Economically, culturally and educationally, Porto is very well prepared and developed. It is a nice city where to grow up, work and live.

It has many places you can visit from monuments, squares, cafes, shopping, parcs to fancy restaurants and you can also enjoy all-season events like São João, car races, sports events and RedBull Airrace. Portugal Fashion Week and Comiccon also happens here, so on. Actually, Porto has been recognized as best european city destination for many years in a row.

Francesinha, tripas à moda do Porto and Porto Wine are some of the most typical dishes and drinks. You may also enjoy your coffee while appreciating the stunning Douro River view.

Therefore, as a tourist you can explore easily Porto in five days, but it takes a lifetime if you wish to unveil all Invicta´s secrets.

CAROLINA DE MELO CRISTA

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MY SENDING ORGANISATION by

NIEK DEN BOER

We started this NGO out of the base from a reformed church in 1994. We started working with youth groups in 1987. In 1994 we did organize our first international Youth Exchange together with Romania and went on doing it. Since 2000 we started working with the youth programme. We are exploring new horizons since and started, in 2005, participating in CMS and after that started organizing and participating in Training Courses and other projects. We did send our first EVS volunteer to Sweden, and did send in April two volunteers to Malta. Since 1st of September 2012 we organised also hosting EVS in the field of working with mentally disabled. We are focussing more and more on vulnerable youth with lesser opportunities. We extended our organisational structure to give it more body and to make sure that projects always will pass in spite of any personal problems or situations. We want to expand our EVS hosting and sending and more people from the organisation started writing and leading projects.

Now we are in contact with three organisations for hosting EVS and this will stay the same for some time for sure. We now have agreement with 3 organisations in the field of disabilities to be their coordinating NGO; this means we will apply every

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year for three groups of 4-6 volunteers coming to the Netherlands. if in the next period of time we will also be able to manage a youth centre then also for that will be maximum 2 volunteers. This means that our maximum for hosting will be 20 in total, not in this moment, because for this February deadline we will apply for 14, but in the future it might grow till 20. This also is our maximum to keep the same standard for hosting that we are used to.

We will host all of them in Lunteren and in De Glind (7 km apart) because we still want to start a youth centre where the EVS will have a lot of contact with local community, by setting up language for language courses, dance classes and several other activities. Later, when we are ready we are going to apply (after discussing the final project with the National Agency) for 1 or 2 EVS also for setting up this youth centre and the activities and do a lot of promotion activities about Rock Solid and about the possibilities in the new Erasmus+ programme.

For now we apply for coordinating the hosting for the different organisations we are working with and of course, for sending new volunteers abroad. We are used to do team building activities every month with the whole group of volunteers and we want to keep this manageable too.

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MY PROJECT

by ELODIE

FREMAUT

I’m a social worker educator since 2014. I work with disabled persons between 20 and 60 years old. I wanted to bring a new dimension to my career, to enrich it, linking it with my interest and love for animals.

Also, my desire for travel, meeting new people, a new country were present since the first moment. I have approached an association near my city that was offering EVS opportunities. They proposed to me one project combining these two points (disabled people and animals) in Greece during six months. Currently I am working in a horse therapy center with disabled children and in the dog shelter. These are the two missions that I have here in Kalamata. Everyday I learn new things, I acquire new skills and I am also able to share my knowledge.

I think that we have a lot to learn from animals. Working with them has a lot of benefits for humans. This project is allowing me me to learn about myself, develop capacities such as : observation, adaptation, confidence in myself, openmindedness…

This project gives me the opportunity to live in a house with seven other people from different countries which allows us to exchange our cultures and our customs . We are discovering Greece together.

So, It’s very interesting!

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INTERVIEW WITH A

LOCAL VOLUNTEER by

JUNE EXTREMIANA

In this issue of LINK magazine, you'll get to know Eftychia Michalopoulou, a local volunteer.

How old are you, where did you born and where do you live?

I am 25. I was born in Kalamata and I live in Kalamata.

What are your hobbies or what do you in your free time?

I like dancing, I do a lot of dancing.

Mostly contemporary dance. Also I like hiking. I just like to get exercise, I used to do yoga as well.

Where and what did you study?

I studied in Kalamata, I studied Greek philology.

So there is a university here in Kalamata? What else can you study there?

Yes, you can study philology, history and archaeology. It is also de TEIP, where you can study Agricole Engineering and City Council Politics.

How did you started to be involve with the Youth Centre?

I have been attending workshops since 2012, not in a row but I have been attending dance classes. As a volunteer I started this year, two months now approximately.

Which workshops did you attend in the Youth Centre?

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To contemporary dance, conversational English and sign language.

What do you do as a volunteer in the Youth Centre?

I teach Advanced Greek for Foreigners also I have been preparing some texts for the Youth Centre.

How many students do you have?

In the list are eight, but so far, the maximum I had it is seven people.

What it is the most interesting thing about teaching this workshop?

For my class, since is for foreigners, I get to know international people and their culture, civilization, their languages, the reasons why they came to Greece, the reasons why they want to learn Greek‌ It is interesting because each person has its own story. It is also nice how they interact and understand each other, because they are all immigrants here in Greece. It is really nice to meet them. It is also really interesting that they are adults, because I am more used to teach to kids, it is a totally new experience. At the beginning I was really scared, but after the first class when I realise they still came to the second I was like: Okay, they like it, they want to come so I will try to do my best. It is funny because sometimes they call me teacher, they are older than me so it is weird, but it is also kind of cute. In overall the most interesting thing is that you offer something to others. I have been volunteer before the youth centre, like in the International Dance Festival of Kalamata or in my school´s library. It was different to the Youth centre but what I am trying to say it is that I am not unfamiliar with volunteering.

Why do you think is so many international people in Kalamata?

I think in general Greece is really popular abroad as a tourist attraction in general.

I mean probably the first thing you want to discover is Athens and the islands but since everyone is coming they are discovering new places like Peloponnese.

Kalamata provides a lot of activities for tourists, it combines the sea and the mountain. So, tourist they can do sports in the water and in the mountain. They are also a lot of traditional villages with traditional architecture and we have important sights like ancient Messini. Also, it is an interesting place because it looks like an island and it is not and it is really close to Athens, you can be there in less than 3 hours, it is really good communicated city.

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What it is your favourite thing about Kalamata?

I would say the sea, but I think I am a mountain person. But it is the nature in general, it is not only about the mountain and the sea, there are hidden places like Polylimnio if you have been there you know how it is. Also the climate, it is not only about the weather, the change of the seasons brings beautiful colours. You can be around most of the year without being cold.

Have you ever been living or studying abroad?

Yes, I was studying through the Erasmus Exchange one semester in the UK. What are the biggest difference that you founded between the UK andGreece?

Apart from the climate (laughs) and nature that it is really impressive. I really like the fact that people in the UK are organise, nothing like us (laughs) and also that they are really polite. They were not kind like Greek people, they were polite, because Greek people are hospitable and extrovert they offer their house or food.

But what I like of them it is that they are willing to help you but they would not stick their nose into your business, they will not ask more than what you asked. was living in a city smaller than Kalamata, but people there even if I know them they never criticise me, I was never pointed and they never talked about me in my back, because that sometimes happens here.

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INTERVIEW WITH

EVS VOLUNTEER by

MARCO PIGA

Carolina, 21, is a short-term volunteer working here in Kalamata; she lives in Porto, the most modern city of Portugal, and she’s very proud of her roots.

Today she will share some insights into her experiences.

Which is the thing you are most proud of, here?

To cook, to clean, to make all my things alone, to deal with people, to go to the supermarket: basically, I’m proud to do things I’m not used to. Of course I cook, but not every day, also, I wasn’t used to go to the supermarket alone. Now I feel more independent.

What are you missing the most from your country?

Food! A Francesinha! Basically it’s a heavy dish: you have two slices of bread, you put one in the plate and then you start to put things over, like beef (but sometimes pork), then ham, two types of sausages, and then you put another piece of bread; next there’s the cheese all over the bread, to cover the Francesinha. But the secret is the sauce: it’s not a normal sauce because you use a lot of things: you can put meat, beer, tomato sauce, in fact it’s like a mix of a lot of ingredients. And you have spread French fries on the plate. It’s really nice. Some people eat this with beer and other people with coke: never with water: it must be with something to contrast, a sweet thing and a salty thing. Also, I miss my mum’s cuisine: the rice, the fish, (I want to eat fish, I miss it!), desserts, and some cookies that are not here, 37

but there are in Portugal. And of course my friends, my family, but the top is the food!

Do you like the restaurant’s scene in Kalamata?

There’s a lot of diversity here, and I saw a lot of them because of the website I’m building, “Meet Kalamata”. My favorite dish here is risotto, in Kentrikon.

Can you advise a nice place to visit here in Peloponnese?

I cannot answer this because I didn’t finish my trips yet, but until now, I can say Kalamata, for sure; I liked Nauplius, and Pylos, the streets here are super colorful, with Greek flags everywhere, but I think Olympia will be very nice to see. I love Olympic games: I see them every time, so I’m putting lots of expectations on Olympia.

What’s the most curious historical fact you know?

I know that during the first world war, a sniper had Hitler in the scope. So if that sniper had killed him, maybe the second world war would never happen. But we don’t know. So it’s like “really? All history could be changed?”. Maybe another one would be worse, or better. We don’t know.

If you had a time machine, when would you like to go?

I would like to go to the past, not to the future, I don’t want to see my future. I want to go to see my childhood: I’m very curious about it, in a physical and psychological way. I’d love to see me in the kindergarten, but also in the teenage days.

If you could change something in your EVS? I would choose another project, maybe the horse center, or at the farm.

What’s your project about?

Now I’m building a website about Kalamata, about things to do, things to see, eat, drink, and where to stay: basically to promote the city and help the people find all the information in one place, and faster, in a concentrated way. Sometimes less choice is a better choice.

You think you will be different back in Portugal?

Yes and not. My personality will be the same, I didn’t change in anything, but I will change my attitude to my mum. I will help her more, because now I know how 38

to do more things in the house. So, I want to help her, because I felt a bit alone sometimes, like I wanted some help to do this and that in the house. Now I know how she feels sometimes when I don’t help her: now I want to be more present, to be there. For example, if she’s cooking, and I’m in my room, I will just come downstairs to help her: maybe she will say to me “ok, you can just eat” but I will be there with her, to make company at least, just this. For some tasks, I would like to help her, and together is faster, or at least, you’ll feel more comfortable because of the company.

Which are the first words you will say to your mother when you will be back?

I don’t know. I don’t think too much in the future. I will embrace her, also my dad, of course, and then, I don’t know, maybe I will start to cry.

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LINK

november 15th 2018

The volunteers responsible for this publication are hosted in Greece in the framework of the European Erasmus+ programme, KA1/youth - European Voluntary Service.

This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publication [communication] reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.