Link 30 by NGO K.A.NE.

KENTRO NEON KALAMATAS

LiNK

december 2012

LINK

De c em ber 2012

Holiday Edition

Editorial “If you have come to help me, you are wast- ing your time. But if you have come because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us work together. “ Aboriginal activists group

I could say that the above-mentioned quote represents a lifetime philosophy, of respect- ing the others. Said by a group of people that suffered the luck of respect by a whole “modern civilization” has a very important meaning, especially for us working on the non-profit sector. Christmas is coming, and people believe that they should save the world in just 20 days. TV spots and newspapers are full of images, quotes and big words for philanthropy and charity. Big organizations are “forced” to organize their charity activities at that time following this parallel “commercial” Christmas spirit. They have no other option though. People do remember their sensitive side only during sentimental celebrations. It reminds me the attitude of all those development NGOs who are building a school in a poor African country but they don’t train the teachers or the religious organizations, building a hospital for the community, not with the community. When they leave the place, people are left alone. Like after Christ- mas in our western societies.

Please Please don’t get me wrong. Of course I believe that we need to assist the ones in need. Of course we need to support the organizations asking for charity, especially in this deep financial and ethical crisis we are going through. There are people around us who cannot feed their children, have no house, have no job and the charity organizations are offering them at least a part of the basics. But this is not the solution. The solution cannot come by living in a society that allows its people to reach to this moment, having nothing and being desperate. Solu- tion can only come to a society, which can work together, sharing common values and believing that freedom can only be reached if everyone is free. And this is our “job” in K.A.NE. and the Youth Centre of Kalamata. To create the proper environment for all of us, to share, exchange and work together in order to become more free, happier, and more aware of our potential. We grow wiser because we are together. And the more we are, the wiser we become. This is our Christmas spirit. Not the fancy lights and the colorful decorations. Not helping the others, but trying to work with them and improve our lives all together… because we believe in them and because our celebration has no value if they cannot celebrate with us. Filaretos Vourkos

Future Activities Article by Manuela

-NewWorkshops-New Workshops- You may know that in K.A.NE association, you are more than 1 000 members… and our daily aim is to make each of you as satisfied as possible by the Youth Center. That is why we are always offering you new workshops, all different. So, are you ready to discover the new activities you So, will be able to join in the next weeks? First, First, since the first week of December, Jelena, the new volunteer from Montenegro, is giving Serbi- an lessons. Some of you have already decided to come every Thursday in order to learn this language from 21.00 to 22.00. There still are free places, so don’t you want to try to understand these funny letters, which are really easy to pronounce? Јесте ли спремни? The second workshop which is born 2 weeks ago is “Make up”. Yes, yes, yes, dear women, someone comes every week at the youth center to teach you how to wear lipstick, or which color of eyeshadow is the best for you… Have you never dreamt about learning how to make up yourself on the perfect way, and for free? If yes, don’t wait and come to register register to this new workshop, that take part on Wednesdays from 16.00-18.00! Another language workshop has arrived in your Youth Center a few weeks ago. It is one of the most spoken languages in the world, difficult to pronounce but easier to learn… Can you guess? German is at the Youth Center on Monday 19.00 & on Thurday 22.00! Come and register to learn the language of one of the most cultural’ town of Europe: Berlin!

- Events – Events – Events – Events - If If you have to remember one important date in De- cember (yes, except Christmas), it is the 10th of De- cember, which is the Human Rights day. For this important occasion, the Youth Center and its volunteers will organize an event around the human rights topic, with lots of activities for children as well as a projection of Video-Art movies about human rights, given to us by the organizers of Miden Festi- val. So come to the Youth Center of Kalamata from 17.00 to 20.00 to glance at the way we found to celebrate this day. Christmas is coming, and, as you know, the Youth Center is everywhere! You will find us at the ΠαιζώΔρομος, this Christmas market on the main square of Kalamata. We will have a small nice house were we will organize a lot of different activities for children. We also will have an exhibition near our house. I have heard that Santa Claus will maybe come, but he told me to keep the secret. What is sure is that there will be a lot of surprises! So now, you do not have any excuse, you have to come on the 15th and the 16th of December in our Christmas house. We really can’t wait to be there! As every year, we want to celebrate Christmas in our way, together, by a really nice and crazy party. This year it will be on the 22nd of December. We have begun to think about what we can organize to make this Christmas Party unforgettable, and we have too many ideas!! But the better is to keep it secret… so join us at the Youth Center the 22nd of Decem- ber, ber, and you will see Christmas with another eye, OH OH OH! A last announcement (maybe the saddest) is about the closing of the Youth Center during Christmas holydays. So keep in mind these dates:

The Youth Center will close from the 23rd of December to the 6th of January. Merry Christmas to each of you, and see you in 2013.

Two-day event: "Youth &

Article by Geogria

Social Youth Development - K.A.NE. successfully organized a two-day event about "Youth & European work policies" on Saturday 1st and on Sunday 2nd of December at "REX" hotel in Kalamata. The event was part of a series of events under the program "Work in Progress". “Work in Progress” is a project funded by Europe for Citizens program that involves 11 different countries and consists of 6 different international events in: Greece, Slo- vakia, Malta, Bulgaria, Romania and Italy. This project seeks to answer to the general situation in Europe about the world of work, which reflects a closed market that affects especially the younger generations. People, who are new in the labour market, don’t know how to "exploit" their skills and professionalism, so they are lost and disappointed. disappointed. The aim is to encour- age actions and awareness at a local and European level about the topics of the project, in order to make people more conscious about their opportunities and role in the civil society in Europe, especially under the light of European strategy 2020.

Over 100 young people attended the two-day event. Most of them were students from the University and the Tech- nical Institution of Kalamata. 30 of them also participated in the seminar that took place on Saturday morning, 1st of December. Participants from abroad who were representing youth organizations in their countries as well as volunteers in the Youth Center from abroad and local people formed two teams, in which they discussed the work realities and the work policies that are followed in their countries. The 3 different types of learning, the importance of lifelong learning process and the participation processes in educational seminars and conferences were presented and ex- plained.

European Work Policies" The topics covered in this event and the people that presented them are the following: Mrs. Anag- nostopoulou, English counselor for schools in the municipality of Messinia, who presented the lifelong learning program and its goals for the year of 2013, Mrs Arapi, coordinator of European programs and trainer of K.A.NE., who presented the European programs of mobility of which young people can take advantage, focus- ing especially on the European Voluntary Service programme (EVS), Mr. Vourkos, coordinator of K.A.NE., who presented the topic of social entrepreneurship and a successful example which is K.A.NE., Mr. Giannakeas, business consultant for European sub sidized programs, who presented the European policy and the subsi- dized programs that are available for the young people, Mrs. Tsint- zou, responsible for managing the liaison office of University of Pelo- ponnese, who presented the ways that students can find job in uni- versities and Mrs. Tzanetaki, phi- lologist and trainer for adults, who presented the ways that young people re-act to unemployment.

LOCAL volunteer Interviewer: Irene Interviewee: Olga 1. Present a little bit yourself: How old are you, what did you study, what are you doing right now in Kalamata? Καλησπέρα! Καλησπέρα! I’m Olga Solomakou, i am 28 years old and I’m from Kalamata, I have studied Political Science and Public Ad- ministration at University of Athens. For the last three months i have been unem- ployed so i have plenty of free time to dedi- cate to dancing lessons and to some com puter seminars. 2. How and when did you know about the Youth Center? About three years ago a couple of friends participated in a workshop at the Youth Center (Spanish if i remember correctly), until then i had no idea what this organization was and how it worked, so they gave me all the information i needed. After that, everything came naturally, i mean i joined the the Youth Center and i became a part of this big family. 3. What is your connection with the Youth Center at the present? At the present i spend my time at workshops that they really cheer me up, such as salsa and swing dance lessons. Also I’m willing to help every way that I can the guys at the Youth Youth Center like Septem- ber, when it opened its doors and volunteers were needed to welcome the citizens of Kalamata, to inform them about K.A.NE.’s action and final ly to help them make their registration to the Center.

4. Have you ever been volunteer before? Where? A few years ago i used to coach volunteeringly a local basketball team of young players, i did that for almost a year but I had to moved out of Kala- mata because of my studies so i couldn’t keep doing this. 5. What are your feelings about volunteerism? There is a quote about volunteerism that it says: “Volunteering is the ultimate exercise in democ- racy. You vote in elections once a year, but when you volunteer, you vote everyday about the kind of community you want to live in.” I think that I couldn’t find better words to express my feelings. 6. How do you think the Youth Center has changed your life, and the life in Kalamata? The Youth Center is a way out of my daily rou- The tine. It’s a place with lots of positive energy as there are happy young faces everywhere. At the Center I have the opportunity to meet new people from different countries. We can share our experiences, our culture differences and probably our worries and this really broadens our horizons. To tell you the truth, i feel it like a our big family where everyone is well welcomed.

EVS volunteer Interviewer: Taaniel Interviewee: André 1. For first could You please say briefly something about You. (name, from, hobbies etc.) -- My name is André David Sousa Tavares (yes... big name), I’m Portuguese, I live in Estoril 2/30 min- utes away from Lisbon. I like to listen and to play music, to watch and to play sports, I love to help and teach in any way I can. I like to meet new people, new places and new cultures, its very amazing what we can learn with each other differences. 2. How it happens that You are here & for how long You will stay? I studied Physical Education, but in Portugal is really complicated to get a job in this area, so I decided to come to Greece with Leonardo Da Vinci program and get some more professional abroad experience before continuing looking for job there. It was also one of my “dreams”, to have an abroad experience while young and I'm loving it, too bad it is is too fast! I’m here for 2 months already and I have just 1 more left so… tic tac tic tac =)

5. How would You evaluate Your work & is there something special You would like to accomplish before going back to Portugal as well? I'm loving my work here, even if it’s not in my “area” (physical education), the tasks I have to do are simple (no great skill requires besides knowing English), but even so, I like very much of the youth center environment, and I love to teach Portuguese here, to meet the local people that comes here for the workshops all this cultural exchange. I don’t have any special objective that I would like to do while I’m here before going back, but I would like to leave my footprint in this youth center and in this local community. I would also regret a lot if I go back home and I feel I didn’t enjoyed has much as I could from this experience.

6. 6. What have You learned during this two & half month so far in both your work & free time? Oh Oh yes… It has been a big learning experience, besides Greek language of course. This is a hard question, because it’s difficult to point knowledge that I didn’t plan or expect to gain. I learned a lot of course about Greek culture, that of course I’m loving, I learned a lot from each new person I met, it’s amazing what we can learn from each other’s just from sharing experience’s and histories, histories, not just with Greek but also with other volun- 3. What is Leonardo Da Vinci program & who can teers and other nationalities, most of my learning’s are take part of it? due to knowing new people, new places, new situations, Leonardo Da Vinci Program it is somehow connect- it’s really difficult to describe exactly what I learned, but ed to Erasmus, but it is targeted to graduated it were a lot in this past two and half months. people, to give them some short time professional experience abroad. So if you are graduated or you 7. Name 1-2 things You really want to do in Greece already have some professional experience and before going back to Your country? never had an abroad experience, Leonardo Da Vinci Well one of the things I really wanted to do, I already did it’s the program for you. (to go to Athens and visit and see everything), but I still want to go to a hiking expedition to Tygetos mountain, I 4. What is Your impression of Youth Center? only saw it by car, but it’s really beautiful. Also I would I’m I’m really loving the work they are doing here, their still like to go to Nafplio and Korinthos, or Stupa, Pilos, philosophy, the fact they want to give local people Kiparissia. more autonomy, they want to get young people in- volved, motivates them to learn and to teach by 8. Do You already have any plans for future? their own will, everything free of charge, in a very Right now, I don’t have any certain plan but basically, I Right tolerant and open minded environment. Actually I will keep looking for a job in Portugal and everywhere think that, if every city in Europe would have a else, but If everything goes as predicted (not finding youth youth center like this, the world would be a better one), maybe I will try to start my own or keep doing place! That’s why maybe I will try to make a new youth exchanges and volunteering, but never stop and one in Portugal when I get back to my city. never give up =)

EVS Volunteers answering: Questions by Manuela

1/ Can you tell me one thing (decoration, tradition, costume, food, singing, event…) that you think is typical of your country for Christmas. Irene / SPAIN: In Spain it's traditional to put a Nativity scene instead of the Christmas tree, even though during the last years we are also accepting this other tradition. Inès / FRANCE: For me, the most famous French dishes for Christmas is oysters, foie gras and capon. Ieva / LITHUANIA: Lithuanians still have Ieva saved many pagan Christmas spells. We put straw under the tablecloth (one who manage to pull out the longest straw will live longest);; make paintings with candle wax on the water (shows your future);; count beans (if you take an odd number (with your eyes closed) – you‘ll be alone, even number- you‘ll find love);; go to be listen to animals talking (they get that super- power only during the Christmas night!) and many more magical things.. Manuela / FRANCE: Before Christmas, in a lot of French town, there are “Christmas market”. It consists in a lot of small houses settled on the main squares of the city, and there, you can drink hot wine, eat chestnuts, sausage, cheese, regional specialties... and in a town like Toulouse, you always meet one of your friends who is already there. Kaja / SLOVENIA: Something that should be on every table for Christmas is a traditional cake called "potica", a nut roll usually carefully 'rolled' by our grandmothers. Loïc / FRANCE: The food I think is typical, in my country. For Christmas we eat a lot of things, like Foie Gras, smoked salmon, snails, oyster….

HOW IS IT IN

Gianluca / ITALY: I don't know what is typical now in Christmas in Italy.. I can say that in the north of Italy, we go to the celebration of mid- night in the church and after that we stay with friends to make wishes, chat, have a drink together, and exchange gifts. Also on Christmas day we meet for lunch and eat, for example, "zampone and lenticchie" (which is disgusting for me), a dish based on salami from pig's leg and lenticchie, a kind of cereal. Taaniel / ESTONIA: The Estonian word jõulud (Christmas) is of ancient Scandinavian origin and comes directly from the word Jul and has no real connection with Christianity. Jõulud as the winter solstice, when the day is the shortest and the night the longest used to be celebrated between December 21 and 25. Dorian Dorian / FRANCE: The "Arènes de Nîmes" are decorated by lots of colors light. There is some show with this. Leo / GERMANY: For Food we Bace Little Cookies with chocolate sugar or other things. Jelena / MONTENEGRO: Christians tradi- Jelena tionally believe that on that day all of which occurred during the year were at loggerheads, should reconcile and forgive each other insults inflicted. On the evening of Christmas Eve people in countryside light the fire with oak tree because the fire of oak branches symbol- izing light and heat which heated and make family members closer to each other. In cities on Christmas Eve, also respects the logs in the habit of entering the house. The Orthodox be- lievers for Christmas making the Christmas bread, called cesnica, and it is broken into as many parts as there folks. In those bread they puts a coin of silver or gold that symbolizes the gift of Christ and the small part of Christmas tree.

YOUR COUNTRY? 2/ What will you give to your mother for Christmas?

3/ What was the worst Christmas present you have received?

Irene / SPAIN: Probably clothes and a book. Ieva / LITHUANIA: Hmm.. a greeting call? Manuela / FRANCE: Probably some soap made with Kalamata’s olive oil and also maybe a bracelet from Greece. Kaja Kaja / SLOVENIA: I started doing crochet here in Greece, so if I, by the time I go back home, manage to knit a scarf, this will be my gift to her. Loïc / FRANCE: Love. Gianluca / ITALY: Maybe I'll send home some Gianluca gifts. I'm thinking of buying a bottle of olive oil from Kalamata, which I know is considered really good. Taaniel / ESTONIA: I would give her big and really warm hug, not because it's Christmas, but because I really miss her. Dorian / FRANCE: I don't really know, proba- Dorian bly some decoration from Greece. Leo / GERMANY: My present for my Mom is book from Dan Brown (Iluminati).

Inès / FRANCE: I received a carpet with fishes from a fair trade shop when I was young. So, I cried all day. Ieva / LITHUANIA: All the presents are good ( as long as they‘re given with love(: ) Manuela / FRANCE: When I was around 16 or 17, I Manuela have received a huge ugly orange photo album with a lighthouse made with cardboard and shells glued over. I have sold it a few months after Christmas. Kaja / SLOVENIA: A pack of new Slovene euro coins when they introduced them in 2007. Loïc Loïc / FRANCE: Underwear or necktie, I never wear necktie. Gianluca / ITALY: Actually I don't remember if I have ever received a bad gift in my life. Usually I only remember good gifts. Taaniel / ESTONIA: If to talk about presents in Taaniel general I think the worst ones are the ones that are made by obligatory or without sincere wish to make them. Dorian / FRANCE: A Robe from my grand mother...

4/ Do you come back to your country for Christmas? If not, with who are you going to celebrate Christmas? Irene / SPAIN: Yes, I will come back to my country for Christmas to be with my family and friends! Inès / FRANCE: I'm not going back home to my country. So, I will probably celebrate Christmas with Loïc, his friends, and maybe a friend of mine will also come to Kalamata. Ieva Ieva / LITHUANIA: No. I plan to celebrate Christmas with my friend Mr.Computer - talking with my family on webcam.. and probably drinking kisielius (warm, pink Lithuanian drink). Manuela / FRANCE: I will come back to France and celebrate Christmas with my family, at home! Kaja / SLOVENIA: Yes, I am going home to spend Christmas with my closest relatives. Gianluca / ITALY: I'm not going home, and for the moment I have no idea of what to do for Gianluca Christmas. Maybe if the other volunteers are here, we can do something together. if it's a sunny day, I would like to go to the sea and swim, so I can say that I have been in the sea on Christmas. Leo / GERMANY: I stay here for Christmas because my family lives here in a small town Ag.Dim- itrios in Mani. Jelena / MONTENEGRO: No, I'll stay here for NY and Christmas. I don't have some plans for hol- idays yet. Probably one my friend will come here for NY and we will see where we gonna be.

EVS Volunteers answering: Questions by Manuela

1/ Can you tell me one thing (decoration, tradition, costume, food, singing, event…) that you think is typical of your country for Christ- mas. Irene / SPAIN: In Spain it's traditional to put a Nativity scene instead of the Christmas tree, even though during the last years we are also accepting this other tradition. Inès / FRANCE: For me, the most famous French dishes for Christmas is oysters, foie gras and capon. Ieva / LITHUANIE: Lithuanians still have Ieva saved many pagan Christmas spells. We put straw under the tablecloth (one who manage to pull out the longest straw will live longest);; make paintings with candle wax on the water (shows your future);; count beans (if you take an odd number (with your eyes closed) – you‘ll be be alone, even number- you‘ll find love);; go to listen to animals talking (they get that super- power only during the Christmas night!) and many more magical things.. Manuela / FRANCE: Before Christmas, in a lot of French town, there are “Christmas market”. It consists in a lot of small houses settled on the main squares of the city, and there, you can drink hot wine, eat chestnuts, sausage, cheese, regional specialties... and in a town like Toulouse, you always meet one of your friends who is already there. Kaja / SLOVENIE: Something that should be on every table for Christmas is a traditional cake called "potica", a nut roll usually carefully 'rolled' by our grandmothers. Loïc / FRANCE: The food I think is typical, in my country. For Christmas we eat a lot of things, like Foie Gras, smoked salmon, snails, oyster….

HOW IS IT IN

Gianluca 5/ What does a typical / ITALY: I don't know what is typical now in Christmas in Italy.. I can say that in the Christmas dinner look like north of Italy, we go to the celebration of mid- for you? night in the church and after that we stay with friends to make wishes, chat, have a drink to- Irene / SPAIN: Crab salad, roast gether, and exchange gifts. Also on Christmas lamb, red wine, pineapple as dessert, day we meet for lunch and eat, for example, and champagne! "zampone and lenticchie" (which is disgusting Inès / FRANCE: As for me, you have for me), a dish based on salami from pig's leg to find oysters, pâté, turkey with pota- and lenticchie, a kind of cereal. toes, beans or chestnuts and for dessert a Yule log with ice cream and Taaniel / ESTONIE: The Estonian word jam. Apart from that, we usually eat a jõulud (Christmas) is of ancient Scandinavian lot of fruits like mandarins, lychees origin and comes directly from the word Jul and sweets with marzipan and wal and has no real connection with Christianity. nuts. Jõulud as the winter solstice, when the day is Ieva / LITHUANIA: There‘s a tradi- the shortest and the night the longest used to tion to prepare twelve different dishes be celebrated between December 21 and 25. (12 months of the year / 12 apostles). The most important ones: poppy milk Dorian / FRANCE: The "Arènes de Nîmes" are Dorian & kūčiukai. decorated by lots of colors light. There is some Kaja / SLOVENIA: It's rather low-key, show with this. with potica, hot tea and the same Christmas music playing in the back- Leo / GERMANY: For Food we Bace Little ground every year since my child- Cookies with chocolate sugar or other things. hood. Gianluca / ITALY: Pizza! Jelena Jelena / MONTENEGRO: Christians tradi- Taaniel / ESTONIA: Christmas is a tionally believe that on that day all of which public holiday and it leads to the pos- occurred during the year were at loggerheads, sibility to have a great time in good should reconcile and forgive each other insults mood to be with the family, enjoy nice inflicted. On the evening of Christmas Eve company and pleasant atmosphere people in countryside light the fire with oak without eating too much! tree because the fire of oak branches symbol- Dorian / FRANCE: Lot's of food, izing light and heat which heated and make Champagne, oyster, white wine and family members closer to each other. In cities foie gras. on Christmas Eve, also respects the logs in the Leo / GERMANY: A typical Christmas habit of entering the house. The Orthodox be- dinner is goose with dumplings and lievers for Christmas making the Christmas savoi cabagge and for drinking wine. bread, called cesnica, and it is broken into as Jelena / MONTENEGRO: The typical many parts as there folks. In those bread they Christmas dinner for me is with my puts a coin of silver or gold that symbolizes the family, without any guests. My gift of Christ and the small part of Christmas mother made some of the traditional tree. dishes and we spent a nice evening together.

YOUR COUNTRY? 6/ What do you plan to do for the New Year, and where? Irene / SPAIN: I will have dinner with all my family as it's the tradition in Spain and we will eat the "12 lucky grapes" together at 12:00 at night to celebrate the en- trance to the New Year. After that, for sure to go partying with my friends until late! Manuela / FRANCE: It is really cool because this year, since I am in Greece and not in France to prepare the New Year, my friends and my boyfriend will organize it without me, and I will discover it when I will come back! For now, I just know that we will celebrate it all together. Loïc / FRANCE: Some of my friends will come in Athens for the New Year. My plan is to make a lot of party with them. Gianluca / ITALY: I don't know, maybe I'll go to Crete, or maybe I'll go to Athens. It would be really nice to see the fireworks from the shore of Kalamata or the acropolis of Athens! Taaniel / ESTONIE: I'm not much of a planer, will see how time rolls.. Dorian / FRANCE: I will just make a party in Athens. Leo / GERMANY: For the New Year I think I stay in Kalamata because a friend of me comes to Kalamata.

(PART2)

Seminar Article by Loic Last 2 weeks in the Kentro Neon Kalamata were marked by the Europe and cultural sharing. All the workshops continued to work and more and more people came satisfied by the initiative.

During one week, from 4 to 11 November, 24 youth workers come from 11 countries came together to take part of seminar organized by KANE at the Youth Center of Kalamata. This seminar was was about the formal, non-formal education and informal Learning. It was a opportunity to share the different experiences, to learn about the difference between non formal and formal edu cation. The group was very productive and motivated to participate at all the activities around this topic. A lot of tools were created during this seminar and also net- work between the partici pants.

Intercultural night At 16th of November, in the Kentro Neon, there were the intercultural night organized by all the EVS volunteers. Through the program: different food, drinks and music, everybody could discover something new about countries of volunteers'. For example: The French volunteers made crepes, quiches, and share wine and cider, the For Italian volunteer made dessert Tiramisu, and tried to do a Polenta, The German made a strudel. After a little presentation about all stands, people started to try and share different stuff brought. After that French people started to sing a famous song from France, and after the Italian made a crazy dance and the public learned dance from Portugal and Estonia. The night finished with dance party with good atmosphere, and a lot of people. Now we wait for the next party. Article by Loic

TITLE

Hosting Organisation I'm going to talk about a hosting and sending organization called UNAREC : Union Natio- nale des Associations Régionales études ET chantiers. Unarec is the national union of the regional associations « Etudes et chantiers » (studies and camps) established in Bretagne, pays de la Loire, Ile de France, Auvergne, Midi-Pyrénées, Lorraine and Rhones-Alpes. Etudes et Chantiers organises international camps for teenagers and adults, they exchange volunteers with some organizations abroad in around 60 diferent countries and they are also developing integration camps. My organization which I travel with is « Etudes et chantiers » Auvergne in the center of France. I have done two international camp in Germany and in Italy. An international camp is a voluntary service for a short term (between one and three weeks) in another country. The goal is to realize a project with a group, generally composed of 15 volunteers from diferent countries. Most of the camps are based on environment-friendly initiatives and practices.

In Germany, I did Land Art in a park for children in the Black forest. We had to build benches, wood structures, a path and to paint on dustbins etc. Besides, last summer, I went to Italy for 2 weeks as a volunteer in a music festival to finance a alternative radio. So, I helped for the preparation of the food stands and the organisation of the festival. These workcamps were very interesting for me, as far as you have the possibility to meet many people from all over the world, to become more open-minded towards certain cultures and to discover diferent and alternative way of life...

If you want more informations about my association : http://www.unarec.org/

UNAREC

Article by Ines

Who We Are?

Hi everybody! I am Fotini and you have probably seen me some time or other in the Youth Centre. I moved to Kala- mata in July 2011, and started working for K.A.NE. My decision was easy, as I knew the city well (I finished high school here) and I was already familiar with K.A.NE., its work and activities and, of course, the Youth Centre. I am happy to be able to support its work and be part of K.A.NE’s and the Youth Cen- tre’s team. See you around!

My name is Angela, I am 23 and I come from Crete, a beautiful island in the south of Greece. I passed the last 6 years of my life in Athens, study- ing Management, Health Administration, Media & Communications but I still haven't found what I want to do in my life. Searching for new experiences and motivations, I decided to spend this year in Kalamata to live, work and interact with volunteers from all over Europe and offer my services to the local community by participating in KANE's projects.

I am Filaretos and the last 7 years I am working in the field of non formal education as a volunteer, youth worker and youth trainer. 4 years ago, I decided to create the Youth Centre of Kalamata, in order to initiate the youth work in Kalamata and promote active citizenship as factor of change. When I am not abroad for work, you will find me at the youth centre, in which, my biggest complaint is, that I don't have enough time to participate in any workshop...

My name is André Tavares, I am from Portugal, and I live in Estoril, 20min away from the capital, Lisbon. I’m in Kalamata for 3 weeks now, and I’m going to stay for 9 weeks more. I’m here because I signed in the “Leonardo Da Vinci” program which allows me to have a short duration professional experience abroad Europe, so the Youth Center (K.A.N.E.) received me, and now I’m working with them in some coordination tasks, office duties, helping to prepare and organize events, and I’m also teaching Portuguese in the youth center. Thank you, Greetings from Portugal.

Who We Are?

Γεια σασ ! Με λενε Λωικ. I’m 27 years and I come from Melun in France( little city near Paris). My project is the Youth Center. I will work in Youth Center during 1 year, I will be in charge to French lesson, and I will help in workshop for kid and maybe other things during this year. I am a very open-minded and passionate person who likes music, cinema, circus and all forms of arts, and motivated to set up innovative projects of animation. I wish to work on various artistic disciplines and to use the artistic practices as tool of Insertion and Education. From my point of view, developing the link between culture and social intervention is an original instrument. The culture is indeed the best way to integrate people in the society and at work. It allows persons who are facing to social problems to develop a positive dynamic and to solve loneliness issues. See you later on the youth center. Γαει!!

Salut ! I am Ines and I come from Vierzon a small city in the center of France. I have finished my high-school studies this year to do my EVS in Kalamata. I have already done voluntary work in Italy and in Germany. That’s why, I chose this project, in order to meet people and to have a great experience in an association abroad. Besides I am interested in Greek culture and the rich heritage. Now, I am working in the Youth Center where I am going to teach French and guitar. I also hope to create a band and have a good time.

Hi! I am Irene, I am Spanish and I will be working at the Youth Center of Kalamata. I am 27 and it’s not the first time I live abroad but Greece it’s a country where I have always dreamt to live in! I studied An- cient Greek History and Litera- cient Greek History and Litera ture, so I think I arrived at the perfect place! I also did a Master in education and I think teaching is a way of learning in itself, so I am really happy to organize the Spanish workshop and I am sure we will learn a lot from each other! Obviously, we will do many activities during this new adventure in K.A.NE, so be ready for that!!

Zdavo ! My name is Jelena Scepanovic, I am 27 years old and I live in Podgorica in Montenegro. I studied biolo- gy and then I worked as a sales manager. I love Nature and any activites in relation with Nature. Now, I am working in the Youth Center and I will stay in Kalamata for one year. I chose Greece for my EVS because I think that I can learn a lot there. Besides, I like Greek language and Greek cultural heritage. I think that volunteering in Greece can help me to develop my skills and knowledge from my field and also help me to improve my general knowledge about Greek history and culture. I choose to do EVS now because I really needed a change, to do something different and I have always found the experience a very rewarding learning curve. All this activities helped me to improve my interpersonal skills. Well, during this year, I think I'm going to miss my friends, my family and my mother's kitchen.

Who We Are? I am called Taaniel, youngster from Estonia, the most northeast Baltic country surrounded largely by sea, Russian, Finland and Sweden. I have finished high school in Estonia, after that I studied a year in Denmark. I like to bike and snorkel and Kalamata is perfect place for that. From this Autumn I started to work as EVS volunteer unteer and as a part of my project I am sup- posed to help with center's website and also design this newsletter You are reading now - I hope You like it, and if You have any construc- tive critic, thanks to say, proposals etc. - all of it is welcomed to address evsTaaniel@gmail.com. Smile :)

I am Manuela, I am a 23 years French girl. I come from a southwestern French city named Toulouse. I am in Kalamata since the 5th of September and I will live here during 11 months, that is to say till the 4th of August. My project is the communication and the organization of the movie festi- communication val which will occur in July, 2013. But during all the year, I will organize some projection nights in the youth center andvt on Plateia Othonos. And I will also some- times be in the youth center to help the other volunteers if they need. In France, I study communication and journalism, and that is probably why I really like to meet new people, speak with them and set up new projects all together. I hope this year will be full of this kind of events!

Giasas! My name is Leonard Pristl, I come from a little city in central Germany called Bamberg where I have passed the last three years of my life. Until my 15th year, though, I was living in Greece, in a little village called Ag. Dimitrios, and for this reason I speak really good Greek. As a volunteer, I will be working in the KEKIKAmeA in Kalamata this year. Now I am 18 years old and in I love going for skiing in the winter, I love the white mountains and the nature but I also fell in love with the sea and the beaches here. I decided to come again to Greece to make my EVS project becaused I missed the good weather and the Greek lifestyle and because I like to work with children.

Hello to everyone! My name is Georgia. I am 24 My years old and I am originally from Kalamata. I spent the last 5 years in Athens doing my Bachelor in Management and Business Ad- ministration and the last year in the Netherlands continuing my studies for a Master's degree. I am glad to be back to Kalamata after all those years, especially since I am a new member of "K.A.NE.". I am happy to be part of this organization because I have the opportunity to learn about European mobility programs and be part of an international community! I also like taking part in workshops in the Youth center. So far I participate in Tai Chi but I hope I take part in more workshops later on.

Who We Are? Hello everybody! My name is Gianluca and I’m just arrived in Kalamata. I’m an Italian guy of 28 and I have finished in February my university, in Anthro- pology. So, I have decided to come in Greece as a volunteer to work with children, because I like them (I had work with children for ten years), but also because I’m interested on the life in Greece and the Greeks themselves. I’m really happy to be here and my first impression ofthe association and the volunteers is really good! I hope to be useful for the project and for all of you!

Hello, I am Dorian, I come from France and I am 21 years old. I really like to dance, specialy swing and rock'n roll which I practiced for 13 years before my EVS. I came to Greece because I really love this culture, and I want to live in this very beautiful country. Now, I am working in a Horse Riding School for disabled children. It is a very interesting project, I feel useful and it is gonna bring me a good experience for the future. I arrived in Kalama- ta on 5th september. My first month was perfect with sun, beach and new friends. I hope I will learn a lot of things about other culture, languages, … Enjoy your lifeS, Dorian.

Γεια! I‘m Ieva, 18 years old girl from Lith- uania. I work on Natural Farming & Environmen- tal Awareness project. I‘m entirely in love with Mother Nature, so don‘t hurt her or you‘ll have to deal with me! I’m looking forward to spreading “green ideas” in Kalama- ta, also, you can join my Lithuanian lessons in the youth center. I spend my free time exploring secluded places around, so if you know any secret mountain path- ways, nice empty beaches or cozy little villages, let me know (:

Zdravo! I’m Kaja from Slovenia and I’m 22. I’m a last year student of so- ciology and an ac- tivist for the rights of LGBT people. I love to read, sing, do yoga, travel and go out dancing with my friends. I like making pastries and even more so I like to eat them. I’ve done voluntary work before but going all the way to Greece to do so is kind of on the edge of my comfort zone - that’s what makes it is all the more exciting. I’ll spend my working days on a farm and right now I’m just looking forward to see or- anges on trees(!) for the first time .

EDITOR: MANUELA GASCON GRAPHIC DESIGN: TAANIEL STOITSEV BACKROUND PICTURES FROM: EGE JÜRIS FILARETOS VOURKOS FOTINI ARAPI GEORGIA GIANNAKEA ANDRE TAVARES ANTZELA LENAKAKI DORIAN AGNEL GIANLUCA BARBIN IEVA MEDINYTE INES DUPONT MIAULT IRENE PENA HERRANZ JELENA SCEPANOVIC KAJA NAPOTNIK LEONARD PRISTL LOIC MARCHAND MANUELA GASCON TAANIEL STOITSEV

Contact details: K.A.NE., Social Youth Development Youth Centre of Kalamata Plateia Othonos 10 Kalamata 24100 Greece e-mail: info@ngokane.org url: http://www.ngokane.org facebook group: Κέντρο Νέων Καλαμάτας/Youth Centre of Kalamata

The volunteers responsible for this publication are hosted in Greece in the framework of the European Youth in Action programme, Action 2- European Voluntary Service. This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publication [communication] reflects the views only of the author, anvd the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.