LINK #121 by NGO K.A.NE.

LINK november 1st 2018

NÂ°121

NOVEMBER...

Editor: Carolina de Melo Crista Designer: Ivan Doer

#LINKEXPLORE 3

CONTENT Contact About us Youth Center program

5 6 12

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

WELCOME TO KALAMATA First Impressions 14 Greetings Differences 15 Intercultural living 16 NEW BEGINNINGS Marco Piga June L. Extremiana Carolina De Melo Crista Elodie Fremaut Ivan Doer Niek Den Boer

18 20 22 24 26 28

ADDITIONAL TOPICS EVS Mid-term 2018 My Sending Organisation Past Events My Project Interview with a Local Volunteer Interview with EVS Volunteer

Welcome to Greece! My Journey in Reducing Waste

Discovering Europe Since My Arrival The Beginning Of... It Always Starts with an Idea

30 31 33 34 35 38

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 Sheila Gomez

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

@kane.kalamata

WHO ARE WE?

carolina

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. 7

ivan

daniel

cintia

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! 9

K.A.NE.

FILARETOS

jelena

NANTIANA

Hello, I am Filaretos Vourkos. For the last 10 years I am working in the field of Non-formal education as a volunteer, youth worker and youth trainer. 6 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 KANE does, so I decided to stay and be part of it.

My name is Nantiana! I’m 25 years old. I live in Kalamata! I was living for 5 years in Patras! I was studying there greek philology and now I’m teaching greek to the youth center in Kalamata.

Nancy

antonia

georgia

Hello World! I’m Nancy and I’m doing my internship in K.A.NE as a Project Manager. I am really excited to be here because I was always admiring their work especially the Youth Center and Street Festival. I’m passionate about meeting people and exchange knowledge, experiences and ideas. I love the fact that many young people visit every year my hometown Kalamata and contribute in our society.

Hello! I’m Antonia and I’m 23 years old. I studied business administration in Athens and now I’m doing my internship in K.A.NE. as an office manager. 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 minds!!!

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.

WELCOME TO KALAMATA First impressions SHEILA Starting a volunteer in a country that is not yours can be complicated but my best impression of Kalamata as a mediterranean country , people are very welcoming, they involve you in their city and they make you feel good, the first thing I did is to dance traditional dances, to taste sweets and typical foods also to learn greek language.

ELODIE When i arrived in Kalamata, i thought , wow ! Big city with the new center, old center,beach… I was afraid that the city is « cold » with population. But in fact the city is not that big. I often meet the same people and i find quickly my landmark. By the way, the people here are warm, very friendly, caring with foreigners.

NIEK The first impression of kalamata is impressive to see the contrast in landscape and from the people . The mentality towards time was a warm welcome for me :) like the weather ! The people i meet are friendly and open minded! I enjoy to see how everybody is proud on the cuisine of greece and they are right to think so !!

IVAN For me it’s hard to speak about first impressions of Kalamata. Because I’ve been here before. Couple months ago, doing my short-term EVS. I felt the rhythm of the town. I felt with sympathy towards this place. Basically, this is the reason why I’m back.

MARCO The city is so alive! Every corner is filled with shops, bars, restaurants, clubs, and places to just enjoy life. Here I feel in a continuous summer holiday. The people is very friendly and relaxed, and kind with strangers. Kalamata is also very different from my expectations: it's intercultural, modern, and truly European.

JUNE My first impression of Kalamata is that it´s a town with a lot of life where I feel really relax and in an eternal summer. It's awesome to be able to go everyday to the beach and there is so many cute cafés! Before coming I wasn’t so sure what my project would be about, but it involves a lot of things I love like the environment, working with kids and crafts. So, I couldn’t be happier.

Carolina Actually, i am really surprised with the city. I thought was a small one, and i have changed my mind. The city is wonderful. A lot of restaurants, bars, places to hang out and meet new people. The beaches and the mountains are the perfect match for me. The food is really nice, the nightlife as well, and the people are super friendly. I couldn't ask better!

Greetings differences SHEILA The greetings that I would like to share “Μ’ αρέσουν τα ελληνικά”, ”Χαίρετα”, “Μαθαίνω ελληνικά εδώ και για 6 μήνες”, “Δουλεύω ως εθελόντρια”, Είμαι τριάντα χρονών”, Σας αρέσει; Ευχαριστώ πάρα πολύ!!!!! in Spanish languages we said: “Me gusta el Griego”, “Bienvenida”, “LLevo estudiando griego seis meses”, “Trabajo como voluntaria”, “Tengo treinta años”, “Les gusta?”, “Muchas gracias”. The greatest difference is the alphabet.

ELODIE In France, if we know the person well, we do two or four kisses (we are generous!) But four kisses is rarely. We can simply say « hello » if we are not close to the person. If we want to keep a distance with the person in a workplace for example, we shake hands.

NIEK There are not so much differences Here also say hello/Yia su!! It was funny to see how fast this place became a place where already in a month the locals started greeting me on the street

IVAN I’m from North!!! We just shake our hands. That’s all. Yup! And what have you been expecting from Latvians!? No kisses in the cheeks!

MARCO I haven't noticed big differences between me and Greeks, but between us EVS there are lots! Someone is not used to double kisses, and I'm not to hugs, but the major surprise is in times: for me it's normal to greet everytime you come or leave home, and when you get up, but here it's not like this. Maybe in two months I'll be used to it, who knows.

JUNE As a spanish person greeting with people from other countries makes me a little anxious. Usually when I met someone I'm scared that they think I´m too close for trying to give them a kiss or too cold if I just shake hands. And even when I found another nationality that also give two kisses (like italians), they started from the opposite way so it might happen that you found in the middle and almost kiss in the mouth!

CAROLINA In Portugal, we always kiss each other, 2 kisses, starting giving our right face, instead greece that start with the left one. Even if we don’t know each other, we always kiss. Shake our hands is only the business or formal events.

INTERCULTURAL LIVING SHEILA Since I arrived in Kalamata in April I have become accustomed to living in an environment with many changes between different volunteers who arrive and leave, the coexistence in the house is a bit unbalanced but at the same time is amusing.I currently have my routine and my greek local friends and it is difficult to think about finishing EVS.

ELODIE It’s my first experience to live with some people from different countries. This experience allows me to discover different cultures, culinary ritual Living in collocation requires concessions. Need a minimum rules for the good life of all. After, enjoy!

NIEK This is an experience on its own. The feeling that you walk around with the elegance of a elephant 16

in the jewellery store .no matter what you do there is almost no way that you don't let some pillars shake. We learn a lot from each other!! And in a beautiful way!! it is nice to share all of iT.

IVAN I like exploring the new cultures. This makes me feel the world wider. I share the flat with five different nationalities. Okay, with four. Because two of them represent Valencia, Spain. Eventually, we found the common “language” and it is not that hard to have some flatmates.

MARCO Everyday we can learn something new and compare experiences. Sometimes there are also arguments, but that's life. One thing that I complain about? Speaking only with eyes! Some people say that's too less, others say that's too much. Anyway everyone is asking me to just use words.

JUNE Living with people from other countries allows you to discover a lot of new things. It can be the recipe of carbonara from an Italian (and you realise that you have been doing wrong all your life), it can be being offer a tea (okay its not that weird but I'm not used to drink it) or you can learn a lot of bad words in different languages!

CAROLINA For me it’s super nice to live with other people from different countries. Sometimes this is also a challenge because we think and act in different ways. We already did intercultural dinners, but for now, just italian food. We will continue doing this dinners together. I’ll do the “Francesinha”, it’s a heavy plate, but, for sure they will like and ask me for more.

NEW BEGINNINGS Welcome to Greece! Καλωσορίσατε στην Ελλάδα! Or, in other words, "Welcome to Greece!". Our journey is already begun and we learned a lot of words, but it's always good to keep in mind the tips for a new language. The first step is to ask yourself if you actually have to learn a foreign language. This is a long term commitment and requires quite a high level of tenacity to achieve some level of proficiency. The time, effort and money spent on learning it can be fairly high. Love the language. If you want to succeed in something, never make it a chore. You will learn better if you have a real interest in both the task and the language itself, and that you enjoy doing those things. Develop a deep connection to the language or the culture (music, movies, food, whatever), and everything will be quicker.

Use the language. Speak the language. Read, write in it, maybe keep notes in that language. Set those little goals and then put them into practice. You should spend a minimum of several hours a week if you hope to improve. Also value kids' entertainment: simple phrases are the best way to start, for example, in Scooby Doo they do instantly what they're saying! And don't try to overachieve: diligence is the key; in fact 10 words a day are 3650 words a year: for sure enough to have a decent conversation!

Think in it. During the learning process is very useful to start using the target language’s monolingual dictionary as soon as possible. Of course at the beginning the bilingual dictionary or the translator are unavoidable, but anyway we have to start at some low point. And the dictionary can be virtual: with your phone you can highlight a word and instantly look for an explanation in the language itself. So the goal is to think in the target language as much as possible and try to compose sentences without translating. Full immersion. Try to survive in a foreign language environment: here in Kalamata we are all going shopping, doing sports, working on our projects, with a big share of Greek. From καληνύχτα, καλή όρεξη, κάτω και πάνω, ωραία, τέλια, and other basic words, to more specific ones, depending on your activities: at the farm which I'm working in, I learned μέλισσα, κυνόροδο, σπόρος, φυτό, νερό, αγρόκτημα, βάζο, φύλλο, ήλιος, τραμπάλα, βασιλικός, τσάι, κυκλάμινο, ακρίδα, μαγνόλια, all nature/playground related! So, have fun learning languages and enjoying life. Καλή συνέχεια! MARCO PIGA 19

NEW BEGINNINGS My journey in reducing waste During this summer, I wrote my final project of my degree in law titled “Circular Economy and Legislation in Waste Management of the plastics”. I know, like that sounds boring, but thanks to reading so many articles related with the waste of plastic it starts a new beginning for me. I started to be more conscious about the waste we produce every day. At the beginning it made me a little anxious. I started to avoid anything that contains plastic, for example: I was not taking coffee in plastic cups, avoiding buying food too much packaging, not using straws, not buying water in plastic bottles … Then, I tried to have certain habits to avoid plastic and not simply stopping to drink coffee ,for example. Some of the simple tips that I discover to reduce waste are: 1. Bring always with me a reusable bottle of water. 2. Bring a coffee cup with me if I´m going to uni or to another place where I think I will need to have a coffee on the go. 3. Avoid using straws. At the end they are not really necessary to drink or you can always have a metallic or bamboo one. Also all the plastic cutlery, plates and cups; it's nicer to use ceramic ones and in case you really need them to be disposable you can use biodegradable ones. 4. Have always a reusable bag in your car or backpack. Also reusable bags for the vegetables and fruits to be weighted (in any case sometimes they are not even necessary like if you are buying bananas or an avocado). And also for packing your lunch things that can be reuse. 5. Use a brush make of bamboo. Why to waste plastic when you can have a cute 20

brush make of bamboo? 6. Try using soap and shampoo bars instead of soap in plastic bottles (this one maybe is difficult If you really like a specific brand, but there is a lot of nice natural bars). 7. Menstrual cup. Well this one is the discovery of the year. It's calculated that a woman spend around 1,500€ on sanitary products plus all the waste that they produce. A menstrual cup is reusable and it only costs around 20€ and it can lasts even 10 years. So I think it's a cool new thing to try. All this changes in your life can be the first step, but the concept so called “circular economy” involves more than reducing the plastic waste. The Circular Economy is circular economy is an alternative to a traditional linear economy (make, use, dispose) in which we keep resources in use for as long as possible, extract the maximum value from them whilst in use. The circular economy goes beyond recycling and re-use, it involves sharing, renting, fix, renovate … So as consumers we can try to purchase products that they follow the circular economy model. Maybe is too much information in a few, but some easy ways it can be to try to fix things before throwing them in the so-called Repair Cafes or buying products made by recycled materials. Anyway, my advice if you want to start over in the way you consume and produce waste, it´s that you don’t try everything at the same time. You need to go step by step, because if not you will feel that it’s too many changes. Also, don´t pressure yourself like you are alone against the world. Do as much as you can and keep in mind that it´s better that little than nothing. Also, if you are interested in this kind of topic I hardly recommend you reading “Silent Spring” by Rachel Carson or “This changes everything” by Naomi Klein. JUNE LABORDA EXTREMIANA

NEW BEGINNINGS Discovering Europe

Since very young i am a adventure person. A person who likes to go to everywhere, to have stories to tell when i arrived at home. I am this kinda person. I was in the scouts, 8 years, but the trips that i have done wasn’t enough for me. I needed to go to abroad, to see another cultures, another places. So, i decided to start to travel on december of 2017. I went to Madrid, and was amazing to be without my parents on abroad. I felt so independent, so free, and happy. I came back to Portugal and i thought : I can’t stop doing trips. I will keep my job, to have money to travel, because it’s the thing that for sure, realize me. I said to my parents : i will visit a friend in Poland in the next month, January. They said,”oh Carol, relax, you just arrived to Madrid, bla bla bla”. I didn’t think twice, i just catch the flight, but this time alone. Another experience lived. I arrived and i was on my own. I catch a bus to go with her and i could made everything just by myself. I went to Auschwitz alone, i visited the city, sometimes alone, so I felt again so realize. We visit Budapest as well, and so many things happened there. I Start to gain the passion to be on abroad in this trip and couldn't stop. In February i did my first Youth Exchange in Germany, where before 2 days of the project, i did couchsurfing with 2 portuguese girls. A new experience that i really recommend. 22

I realized that in 3 months , i made 3 trips, and how i wished to continue. In june i came back to Germany to visit Leipzig, Berlin and Munich with another friend. In this time, my parents get used to my trips and support me. Actually i never asked them for money to travel. This wasn’t in my plans. If i want to travel, i need to get the Money for myself. To give the true value. And i did. I am happy for my growth. I am proud to myself. In July, i went to Coruña to develop my storytelling skills. It was a very good youth exchange , super organized , the people were super nice. Now, i am Greece, living 2 months here. To much time compraring the one or twos weeks i am used to. This project is beeing a refresh in my life and i am grateful for this new beginning .I was need something like this.

To finish the year , i am going to Italy visit friends that i met in my Youth Exchanges in Germany and Coruña. So, as you can see, when we travel we met people, we create friendships and we learn how to deal with others cultures. This is just the beginning, i will discover the world, step by step. CAROLINA DE MELO CRISTA 23

NEW BEGINNINGS since my arrival My EVS started on august 7th. August is very calm in Greece, as stopped in time. I met the volunteers. Very good atmosphere within the group. Many volunteers finish their evs at this time of the year. About me, my missions start a little later. I took the opportunity to visit, discover Kalamata and took my marks in the house. I will describe a bit, the city: There are a lot of bus lines and there is old center with old stones, small streets… and also, there is new center with the big avenue that leads to the beach. Shukri, one of the volunteers, showed me a castle in Kalamata. What a beautiful view from the top! I visited the beach of Stoupa. Very Nice! I visit also Pylos with a greek friend. A beauty city, too! This friend invited me to the baptism of his nephew . It was a beautiful moment. I liked to discover another culture. I realized the landscape is so different from the north of France! A lot of mountain, the transparency of the water in the sea, the climate… Progressively, other volunteers arrived at Kalamata. I liked to go to kalamata beach with them. The place has a lot of charm. I liked talking with them about our countries, life… sharing things. One of my two missions already begun. It’s happening in therapeutic horse center. It’s a nice place.The disabled children were welcomed. Therapists work with children in equipped rooms and also outdoor with horses.

The horse is an animal very interesting and sensitive. I was very well received in this place. They have a lot of patience with children. They are pedagogues. In the middle of september, i visited the dog shelter, my second work in Greece. At the end of september, i will start. Life awakes anew with september. Also, september marks a change in kalamata : The people are leaving the beach, bar, restaurant to get closer to the center . Now, there are so many people in the center at night.

In Greek restaurants, you can eat feta, very famous here ! I love it ! Also, during my visits i realized that there were many olive trees ! A lot ! We often find olive oil in the dishes. The Greeks are warm and welcoming. I feel good in Kalamata. I think there is a lot of ways for young people find for occupations. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m very happy to be here! ELODIE FREMAUT

NEW BEGINNINGS THE BEGINNING OF... What shell I start with?

One day I told Jelena, if I will have a chance to come back to Kalamata, I quit my job the same day. Well, few months later I reached my employer and said the phrase I desperately wanted to say in a long while: “I’m quitting!”. Yes, earlier that day I received a message that I was approved for Erasmus+ project. Just to not let you find yourselves lost in my story, I will specify few things. First, I’ve been in Kalamata once before. For a month-long EVS. The great period of my life. I’ve met a lot of good people and filled my soul with memories and experience. And I met K.A.NE. organization. It predefined my future. Jelena is the main coordinator there and that’s her merit that I came back.

I seized the opportunity to change my life. I took the risk and dove into this journey. I quit the job I never really liked. I took a break from studies that was straining me. Finally, I left the place I couldn’t call a “home” anymore. I decided to start my oneyear European Voluntary Service in Kalamata, Greece. If I try to say everything in more poetic way, it will sound next: “I found myself on a crossroad of my existence. The time has come. Time to decide which direction I want to go… and I took a completely new destination. I let the life happen.” I assume, it will be correct to say that this is the beginning of the new story in my life. I don’t believe in bedtime stories, but I believe that each one of us has a right for new starting point. So, I began.

IVAN DOER 27

NEW BEGINNINGS it always starts with an idea! For me, the idea for being volunteer was in my mind for a long time. Now, I am writing this and I am not on my best mood. I am not used to have to sit behind a computer. I am an analog person when it comes to writing! I try to find a way for other people to do it. I am escaping this from the time learned how to write. I will try to make some articles this year but I am not full of words! My way to to express? I will create!

I can tell you a story of one of the things I really enjoyed doing here in my free time: " STONES " Walking on the beach in Kalamata, enjoying the freedom of walking on bear feet! I was looking to the ground. So nice to see the colors of the stones that are being polished by the waves! The variety of them made me think how all of us have our own color ,and shape ! We became what the elements made of us. We are shaped by the power of the water that takes us to our destination. Every experience is like being polished by the sand or hitting another rock. it shapes us till what we are today! Like i was surging in between the stones for nice ones to make some things in the future. How nice to see the little things in live and to be able to stand still for a moment to admire what is so obvious, to pass by or to simply use like a road to get to our destination ! Stop a couple of minutes so we wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t pass so many things that are. I learn to stop and admire day by day. Thank you Kalamata !!

NIEK DEN BOER 29

EVS MID-TERM 2018 by

sheila gomez

The International Agency of Greece is organizing a mid-term evaluation meeting the site in Polychoros (Lamia), Greece, from 27 to 31 August. The evaluation consists of: • See objectives • evaluate actions • prevention • exchange of ideas • good practice and systematic planning of future steps for further development of EVS projects and the experience of volunteers in general. Provide a living space for personal and group reflection on volunteers and as a "person" so that we can accommodate the experience until the moment you realize your current situation and project yourself into the future. This provides participants with a space for planning future steps and in addition to sharing and processing information related to the triptych youth US, mobility thus accentuate the mindfulness of EVS in the development of a person. We receive volunteers, building group, questions and expectations from EVS. As for my experience of learning and passing youth, we talk about crisis management and problem solving, promoting and multiplying the life of the experience after EVS. Of course we like with games, we had outdoor activities like canoe, bicycle route, volleyball, ping pong. P.S. I had a very good experience.

MY SENDING ORGANISATION by

elodie fremaut

Since it’s inception in february 1999, association for the development of citizen’s and European initiatives (ADICE) promotes equality of opportunity by enabling people with fewer opportunities, to live an experience abroad through the various French and European mobility programs. L’ADICE acts primarily for young people from 18 to 30 years. This, give them the opportunity to participate in European and international mobility actions, that will allow them to develop social skills (open-mindedness, autonomy, critical thinking, solidarity, self-confidence), professional skills (team work, technical skills…) and intercultural (discovering a country, a new environment, accepting differences, getting rid of stereotypes, be open to other ways of life). There are several types of mobility with ADICE: • Volunteer ACT : Create innovative citizen journeys for young people by enabling 31

them to carry out a volunteering project with migrants or refugees in Greece or Italy. • International civic service : This type of mobility is aimed at young people aged 18 to 25 years. Voluntary commitment of 6 to 12 months for the accomplishment of a mission of general interest in one of the nine recognized priority areas for the nation. • European civic service : This type of mobility is open to all 18 to 30 years old eager to live a rewarding experience abroad. EVS allows to discover a new culture and learn new skills. One of the objectives is to develop solidarity and promote tolerance. It is an action of the Erasmus program. • Professional internship abroad with erasmus +: It allows a job seeker to develop professional skills. It must be at least 18 years old. One of the objectives is to revitalize your job search with recent experience. The trainee can do his internship in several branches like animation, Marketing, tourism… The type of mobility lasts 3,6 or 10 months. • Erasmus+ for young entrepreneur : This program is for people aged 18 and over and must meet two conditions : -- have a concrete project presented in a business plan. -- having started his business for less than three years. The objective is to acquire new skills for create/ manage a business.

PAST EVENTS: OPEN AND INSPIRATIONAL DAY - DIGITAL GIRLS by JUNE

LABORDA EXTREMIANA

Last 4th of October was celebrated in Kalamata the Digital Girls open and inspirational day organised by Kane. The Digital Girls is a project with partners from 5 european countries (the Netherlands, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Greece and Ireland) which objective itÂ´s to contribute to cultivate and enhance girls digital confidence, employability, entrepreneurial mindset and startup potential. This program wants to inspire and encourage girls and young woman to choose a career in the field of technology. During the event the assistants had the opportunity the being informed about the different careers in the digital world, understanding the different work environments and to discuss with professional woman in the field of technology. The two professional woman who were giving the talk were Polianna Dokopoulou who is a Web Developer and Theoni Salamperitse who is a Graphic Designer. It was really interesting, because they explain us their work and also the difficulties that they faced being woman in a field where the big majority is men. Also they answered all the questions that the assistants to the event made. I think it was very inspiring and interesting for young girls that want to start their studies or for women thinking about start working or changing their careers. 33

MY PROJECT:

THE RISE OF THE VISUAL WIZARD by IVAN

DOER

“People with goals succeed because they know where they’re going.” – Earl Nightingale. I knew where I was going. Mediterranean. Kalamata. In the very south of Greece. And I knew the reason why I was going. Beyond the simple facts that I wanted to change my routine and set a new lifestyle, I was aiming for a particular project. Once I already had an opportunity, and pleasure, to work with K.A.NE.. Those days they were looking for a “visual wizard” – a person, who’ll be able to create videos and other visual design things for their organization. I noticed my chance. And when the time came, I seized it. So, what am I doing here and what is the program about? Well, I’m a Creative Media Designer. “Creative” not because It sounds fancy, but only because this is one of the official definitions of work I’m doing here. It consists from making short promo clips and teasers, as well as includes graphic design and work with media.

INTERVIEW WITH A

LOCAL VOLUNTEER by

marco piga

Nantiana Koutiva, 26, is a volunteer in the Youth Centre and also works in the EVS organisation. She attended Greek philology at Patras' university and now is living in Kalamata. Today she will share her experience coming back home and starting a new life. HOW WAS YOUR LIFE BEFORE JOINING THE YOUTH CENTRE? Totally different. I was living in another city, so when I came back, I knew nobody in the city. So I decided to come here in order to meet people to restart my life there, so this is what I did. Now it's the fourth year that I've been a volunteer in the Youth Centre, and it's really nice, because you have the chance to participate in a lot of things without pay. And they have also the chance to meet a lot of people and socialise, I've met a lot of people actually here, that I didn't know before. HOW WAS YOUR LIFE IN PATRAS? I've spent five years there for my studies and it was really nice, I met new friends and was one of the best years of my life. I was living also alone, in my own house, so I was working, and my parents didn't need to send me money. WHICH WAS YOUR FIRST IMPRESSION BACK IN KALAMATA? It was very dissatisfied. I had to leave a city in which I spent lots of nice moments, I had my friends there, so when I came back, I was sad and I should leave to come again to live with my parents. I was living five years alone, so I was used to living 35

alone. Even if someone has good relations with their parents, and I have great relations with them, it's not the same. I was back when I was 24 years old: it was different. WHY DID YOU JOIN THE YOUTH CENTRE? It was an open space actually, it was a place where I could meet people, because when I came back, even if Kalamata is my home town, all of my friends were studying abroad so I didn't know people in Kalamata, actually. I wanted to socialise. So the Youth Centre I thought it was a good way to meet new people and to start doing things in my daily life. So I was helping in the coordination here, I was doing the Greek lessons, so I had things to do. Because in the first period I was looking for a job, so it was a place where I can feel useful actually. It's better than staying at home and doing nothing. I'm very happy that I decided to come here. WHICH ARE YOUR PLANS FOR THE FUTURE? For now, as it seems I will be here in Kalamata, but we'll see, I don't know, what I want manage to do is travel abroad, but for now I have my job here, and I don't want to leave it. The plan for the future is to stay for a bit and then I will see. KALAMATA IS A CITY FULL OF FOREIGNERS. WHICH CAN BE THE REASON? It's a nice city, it's a city that can provide a lot of things and also is not a huge city, like Athens, where the distances are very big, so you need sometimes an hour to go from a place to another. Kalamata can give you a lot of things in a few minutes. So maybe that's why. Also, it combines mountains and the sea, there are a lot of events, a lot of big festivals, so why not? IN YOUR NEW BEGINNING HERE, WHICH WAS YOUR FIRST NEW FRIEND? There was a girl who we were studying together in Patras, and she has come back in the same period, but when we were in Patras we weren't so close actually, we knew each other, but it's not that we were going out together, but when we came back we got very close and from there we are really good friends. Her name is Lena and she's living in Kalamata since I came back.

WHY DID YOU STUDY GREEK PHILOLOGY IN PATRAS AND NOT HERE? Because I wanted to leave, to go and stay alone and also my father proposed me this, "go away, live by yourself, be independent, learn to live alone". It's a great experience to go in another city, even if you are in the same country, because you will know even that you have to go to pay your bills. Nobody else will do. You have to go, you are more responsible. WAS YOUR LIFE IN PATRAS AS YOU PLANNED IT? No, actually the way I was living alone and the things I learned in Patras, not at the university, but in general, made me change a lot, and now I'm a totally different person. I learned to live in another way, in solidarity, working. I learned about self organizing things. We had a place like the Youth Centre, in Patras, where we were having different kind of activities, a self organized place. WHAT DO YOU THINK IS SO SPECIAL ABOUT THE YOUTH CENTRE? Especially nowadays people go for example to a dance school, you need to pay maybe 30/40 euros per month, and some people can't afford that price. So these places give you the option to come and learn something without paying so much money. So this is the good of that place and behind this it's hidden also the solidarity of the people and volunteers, which is really good, because you gain a lot of things actually, as we volunteers are not getting paid, we gain other things: when you actually transfer the knowledge to other people, it's much better than taking money sometimes. You feel much better. And I've felt this in those years. And it's really nice. 37

INTERVIEW WITH

EVS VOLUNTEER by

niek den boer

"When you find what you have been looking for for so long, fate will not let you take it so easily." - Anonymous person...

CAN YOU TELL IN SHORT ABOUT YOU? My name is Ivan Doer. I was born in Latvia, but I’m Russian. I also representing Malta, by being a Maltese for whole two/fifteens. You know, there are only couple of things were I’m really good at. One of them is cinematography. I went from the dark bottom to more or less qualified filmmaker through past four years. But whatever I’m learning, I always keep in mind a simple thought: “ whatever I learn, there always will be a lot more of knowledge that I need to absorb.” I believe that as more as you know as wider your mind horizon gets. WHAT DID YOU DO BEFORE EVS? I was studying cinematography and working in different job positions. Most of them were not related to my studying field. The last place I was working in was an casino. Not that bad, but definitely not a dream job. I didn’t felt like I’m on a right place. These is one of the thoughts that pushed me to make some changes.

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE EVS ? I didn’t choose my EVS. My EVS chose me. Someone needed a videographer. Well, here I am. Bang-Bang!!! EVS IS 2 TIMES A NEW BEGINNING! HOW IS THIS FOR YOU? Just a beginning. I seized this opportunity to change my life and add new knowledge. But I can’t say it’s “two times…” because we can give a perspective to fact that all I did is I moved to another country! So, it’s just a new beginning. WHAT IS THE FUNNIEST THING YOU SAW IN YOUR TIME HERE? Honestly, there are a lot of different things I saw. But, probably, the funniest moment, let’s say “moment”, was when I was hanging out with the Italians from another Erasmus+ program. We took a shopping cart we found on street and started driving on it. It was truly hilarious. HOW DOES KALAMATA MAKE YOU FEEL? Great! I like the town. It’s rhythm, the people and the view on the mountains. I liked this place very much since I was here at first time. CAN YOU TELL SOMETHING YOU DO TOTALLY DIFFERENT HERE? Being honest, I don’t know yet. I’m here last than a month. Hard to see some visible changes. It takes a times. That’s what I think. 39

LINK november 1st 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.