Let's begin EVS chain reaction!

Let’s begin EVS chain reacti n! by showing the impact of European Voluntary Service programme on its participants. chapter 1 | 1

Let’s begin EVS chain reaction! | 2

Let’s begin EVS chain reacti n! by showing the impact of European Voluntary Service programme on its participants.

TABLE OF CONTENT Introduction

4

Chapter 1.

Stowarzyszenie Promocji Wolontariatu and European Voluntary Service programme

7

Chapter 2.

Extraordinary Vibrant Successful? My life after EVS.

Chapter 3.

INTERWIEVS

46

Chapter 4.

EVS VOLUNTEERS HOSTED AND SENT BY STOWARZYSZENIE PROMOCJI WOLONTARIATU 12

66

Introduction 2011, European Year of Volunteering, brought an idea of summarizing the history of European Voluntary Service projects, in which Stowarzyszenie Promocji Wolontariatu has participated.

It brought lots of memories from the time spent with volunteers and raised questions about their lives after EVS. Where does Arman, who loves travelling and visited 14 countries during his project, live? Does Gosia still work for her sending organization?

Has our Spanish volunteer, Marta, married her Polish boyfriend?

Is there any interesting story which we do not know? We could not resist the temptation to check what happened to our previous volunteers and how EVS projects affected them. What is more, in 2011 SPW was granted accreditation not only as a coordinating and sending organization but also as a host to EVS volunteers.

We did not wait any longer and created an EVS project “Let’s begin EVS chain reaction!” which aimed to find answers to our questions, recruited Marie from Belgium and Zoran from Serbia to help us and began work. After a couple of months filled up with browsing through old folders and files, collecting information, conducting an internet survey “Extraordinary Vibrant Successful?

My life after EVS.” and interviewing volunteers we come up with a publication “Let’s begin EVS chain reaction!”

We hope this brochure will be a nice reminder of EVS time to our previous volunteers and will encourage more and more young people to participate in the programme by showing them what they can gain from it.

SPW team

Let’s begin EVS chain reaction! | 4

We hope this brochure will be a nice reminder

f EVS

time to our previous

volunteers chapter 1 | 5

The first years of European Voluntary

Service showed h w

big

of an impact the projects had on the volunteers

Let’s begin EVS chain reaction! | 6

Chapter 1.

Stowarzyszenie Promocji Wolontariatu and European Voluntary Service programme European Voluntary Service European Voluntary Service is a programme run by the European Commission, which gives young people a chance to do voluntary service abroad. Its participants work for non-profit institutions and organizations and actively engage in life of their host community. At the same time they gain new skills and experience useful in their future life.

European Voluntary Service has gone a long way since it was established in 1995 as a consequence of international youth exchanges offered by “Youth for Europe” programme. The first years of European Voluntary Service showed how big of an impact the projects had on the volunteers, their further education, career and personal development. They also clarified the need for continuation of the programme. In 2000 European Voluntary Service was included in the “Youth” programme, which in 2007 has been replaced by “Youth in Action”.

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European Voluntary Service in SPW Stowarzyszenie Promocji Wolontariatu is a non-governmental and non-profit organization founded in 1993 to promote international voluntary service and intercultural exchange among youth and to enable participation of young Poles in international voluntary movement. The association has been sending volunteers for workcamps (international camps for volunteers) and organizing these kinds of projects in Poland. Afterwards, first long-term volunteers came to support the organization or work with people with fewer opportunities in our partner organizations. These projects were financed by the volunteers and their hosts. In the following years SPW hosted German volunteers with support of the Robert Bosch Foundation. In 1999 International Cultural Youth Exchange Organisation invited us to the first EVS projects in our history. Within these projects two volunteers from the United Kingdom and Finland worked in the Voluntary Labour Corps (Ochotnicze Hufce Pracy) in Gródek by the Dunajec River. Two years later the first volunteers from Poland went on their EVS project to France and Germany. From then on SPW has carried out EVS exchange of 7 volunteers sent abroad and 11 hosted in Poland every year (average number of volunteers sent/hosted every year in the period of 2002-2011).

Let’s begin EVS chain reaction! | 8

Total number of volunteers hosted in SPW projects from 1999 to 2011: 118 15

10

Number of EVS volunteers hosted in Poland by year (1999 - 2011)

5

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004

2003

2002

2001

2000

1999

0

Number of EVS volunteers hosted in Poland according to the sending country (1999-2011)

CHAPTER 1 | 9

Austria

2

Belgium

2

Finland

5

France

2

Georgia

4

Germany

47

Ghana

1

Ireland

1

Italy

3

Latvia

1

Moldova

5

Peru

1

Portugal

1

Russia

3

Serbia

1

South Africa

1

Spain

32

The Netherlands

1

Turkey

1

Ukraine

2

United Kingdom

2

Total number of volunteers sent abroad from 1999 to 2011: 71

Number of EVS volunteers sent abroad according to the host country (1999-2011)

 Bolivia

1

Bosnia & Herzegovina

2

China

1

Czech Republic

4

Denmark

1

Dominican Republic

1

France

7

Georgia

1

Germany

11

Ghana

2

Greece

1

Iceland

1

Ireland

1

Italy

8

Lithuania

2

Mexico

2

Moldova

1

Nigeria

1

Portugal

2

Russia

1

Serbia

2

Spain

5

Sweden

1

Taiwan

1

Turkey

3

United Kingdom

8

Let’s begin EVS chain reaction! | 10

15

10

Number of EVS volunteers sent abroad by year (1999 - 2011)

5

CHAPTER 1 | 11

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004

2003

2002

2001

2000

1999

0

Chapter 2.

Extraordinary Vibrant Successful? My life after EVS. The survey, created and conducted by an EVS volunteer Marie Francard, aimed at examining the results of EVS projects on lives of volunteers hosted in Poland or sent abroad by SPW. 25 questions, 157 volunteers invited to participate in the research and 59 replies.

The questionnaire covered four equally important areas: personal life, work, personal development and voluntary service, because we consider EVS not only as a way to gain professional skills through voluntary work, but also as an experience that enriches personalities of young volunteers. The survey was intended to show not only numbers and charts but most importantly personal stories of the volunteers. For this reason, interviews with Marta Blanquez Blanco, Hannah Speidel and Anna Andrzejewska are included.

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PERSONAL LIFE What were your feelings after coming back home?

27% positive

32% MIXED

31% negative

10% HARD to tell chapter 1 | 13

Positive feelings Nuria, Spain Ú Poland: I felt very proud, because at first, when I had the possibility of doing my EVS project I was working and I had to quit my job. But after I came back I was totally sure that participating in EVS was the best decision I have ever made.

Marij, Germany Ú Poland: I was so happy about all the possibilities I had! I could choose on my own a country or a city, I could choose what I wanted to study, how I would like to live. I felt prepared for everything that might happen in future. EVS made me feel like a catwoman. Those feelings were also based on using my mother’s language again - supercool feeling to be sure which words, cases and tenses to use! Everybody simply understands you!

Magdalena, Poland Ú Portugal: Relieved, because I missed my dearest people a lot.

Aleksandra, Poland Ú Bolivia: Inspired, full of energy and ideas and satisfied that apart of having such a great experience I managed to make an impact on the local community, even if it was realtively small. I passed some knowledge to the kids and adults that I worked with, taught them some tools they can use in their school work, I showed them my culture and other perspective, which I believe was an enriching experience also for them.

Negative feelings Ursula, Germany Ú Poland: Directly after the project I felt quite blue, I knew that my life in paradise was over and now I had to go back to a world where you have to fight to find your place and organize everything on your own.

Joanna, Poland Ú Denmark: Disappointed that I had to come back to the reality. I missed my EVS life and felt a bit lost and insecure about my future.

“Patrick”, Spain Ú Poland: I felt terribly bad. I was depressed for a while. I was not able to find a place where I would feel comfortable. I missed people so much, I missed places so much, and I missed action so much. I completely changed my habits and interests, so it was very hard to just go out with my old friends and enjoy the things we have always enjoyed together. In addition to that, I came back in August, a horrible month for coming back. In Spain things just do not work in that period of time. Half of the people are on holidays and NGOs are simply closed. And I was trying so hard to find new routines, a new Let’s begin EVS chain reaction! | 14

way to be involved in action, to be part of the world... without getting any answer. And I had no patience. Bad days, indeed.

Kamila, Poland Ú France: As if I had moved on and the rest of my friends had stayed the same

Mixed feelings Claudia, German Ú Poland: At first I was very, very happy, because I missed my family and friends. And then it changed into sadness.

I was unable to live my life in a new way. I wanted to go back. And today? I am glad and thankful for my experiences - it was a good time!

Annemarie, Germany Ú Poland: I felt strange hearing my language all around me. I felt a little lonely, missing other volunteers from the EVS. But it did not take long until I felt normal again.

Donata, Germany Ú Poland: First I was very happy to be at home and I enjoyed it quite much. But after the first euphoria, I realized that something ended and I felt strange. Some days later I got used to my “new life” at home and everything was normal. Now, I sometimes forget that I have been in Poland. And when I realize that, it makes me really sad.

Heike, Germany Ú Poland: During the first weeks, I felt really a bit like an alien: I felt so fulfilled and enriched at the end of the EVS adventure that I wanted to share this. But with time I understood that people in my old environment, especially my family, simply could not understand me even if they would have tried because they did not know how it felt like to be a volunteer, they did not experience all that I did. That is why the relationship with one of my fellow volunteers stayed very intense, also in that time. (…) In the first months, I sometimes got very sentimental and I still do, even though it is 6 months after the programme! But it is an adventure which after a certain time finishes!

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Have you changed during the project?

78% 7% YES

NO

15% HARD to tell

Let’s begin EVS chain reaction! | 16

yes! i Have changed during the project...

Maciej, Poland Ú United Kingdom: I was 17, in the second year of high school. I would describe myself then as a rather shy, quiet boy with low self-esteem. I found it difficult to interact with other people and even though I already had some potential and social skills (and quite a nice English knowledge) I was not aware of it. Then I have spent a month in Wales, at Greybeards Wood EVS Project, where I have faced many challenges and underwent serious changes that still have impact on my life. I have totally lost my fear of people, discovered my sense of humour and became confident with language skills (I had to speak English and French all day, I started learning Finnish). Beside all that, I gained some very practical skills I had always yearned for. Thanks to that experience, the energy and abilities it gave me, I got the courage and determination to fulfill some of my dreams: I became a professional storyteller working with youth and children, got a job as an English teacher and took up fencing (now I am a junior instructor).

Frederike, Germany Ú Poland: I changed during my EVS project, but not as much as I expected before the project started. I thought my personality would change drastically, and that I would be a different person after my first time abroad. However, for me it was finding-out about myself, what I like about me and what I don’t. Now I know better what the important things in life are and what I want to see and learn.

Furthermore, I comprehend the whole life as a learning process.

Aino, Finland Ú Poland: I believe that people change every time when they experience something new. I moved out from my parents straight to Warsaw so for sure I became independent and mature. I think that after EVS I believe in myself more and I am more tolerant towards other people and their thoughts. There is no wrong way to live a life as long as you do not hurt anyone.

Ursula, Germany Ú Poland: I have become more aware of things, of how my actions affect other people and how important it is to know which signals you send. I guess I am thinking more closely about things too, which is tiring sometimes, but also very interesting. It is easier for me to talk to people and to meet them with all my heart and interest in their person.

“Patrick”, Spain Ú Poland: It was very important in my life to stop just thinking and studying and finally get involved in significant action. When I was involved in action I found out I felt very comfortable working with people in social issues, much better than chapter 1 | 17

just thinking about social problems and injustice. That changed my life. When I came back to Spain I tried to reorient my studies and action to social change.

Maciej, Poland Ú United Kingdom: I have put on weight :) I have become more independent and more aware of what I want to do in the future. Thanks to the fact that during my EVS project I made friends with many people from all over Europe I am going to travel more.

Ines, Germany Ú Poland: I became more interested in cultures and countries, which did not interest me before my EVS. I grew more self-confident, because I made my EVS in a country whose language I could not speak at all. Yet, I survived and learnt a lot!

Lara, Italy Ú Poland: I understand that if I meet a person who is not from my country she/he has different habits (time, food, customs, needs, values or beliefs). I love my family more. After my EVS not everything has changed to better: I am less sociable, I am very afraid of what people think of me and I sleep more.

Aleksandra, Poland Ú Bolivia: I definitely improved my language skills, learned a lot about different cultures and increased my awareness about political and social situation in Bolivia and in general Latin America. In a way I reformulated my opinion on the situation in Europe as well. (…) What I find especially valuable is that I gained a more realistic view on what social work in developing countries means. Before my project I was one of the idealists believing in going abroad to change the world :) It is not that now I do not believe in it, I just realized that for the world to really change you need more time than 6 months spent in a completely different culture.

Although I must say that even a small impact is important and needed. I’m also more aware of the importance of regular and longterm actions which are essential for making any significant change.

Edyta, Poland Ú Germany: I have become stronger, more experienced, more aware of cultural differences. I gained some knowledge of human nature, problems and conflicts.

Let’s begin EVS chain reaction! | 18

With whom have you been in touch after completing your service – regarding the people you met during your EVS project?

1% 23% 27% 29% 30% 31% 51% nobody

project coordinator

sending organisation

host organisation

mentor

others‌

other volunteers

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Others…

tandem-partner participants of international exchanges which I took part in young people I met during my leisure activities: orchestra, dancing, tandem local people neighbours friends I got to know in Poland children living in the host organization local volunteers family that I was living with mentors of other volunteers somebody from a night bus volunteers that went to Bolivia before my project travellers journalists

VOLUNTEERS COMMENT...

Hannah, German Ú Poland: I have visited the project a few times and had stayed in touch with one of the kids for a few years.

Ines, Germany Ú Poland: After EVS I was in contact with a colleague I met in my project. I worked in a boarding school and my task was to help the teacher with teaching the class and helping pupils. The teacher was very nice. I wrote letters to her and last year I visited her near Warsaw, it was great!

Edyta, Poland Ú Germany: One of them, so called “zivie”, is my husband. (“zivie” – person doing Zivildienst – alternative civil service, ed.)

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How long have you been in touch?

chapter 1 | 21

HALF a year (or less)

20%

1 year

20%

2-4 year

37%

5 years or more

22%

How numerous was the group you have been in touch with?

very big – almost everyone or everyone

Let’s begin EVS chain reaction! | 22

3%

Big – most of the people

31%

RATHER Small – minority of people

47%

very small – just a few people or 1 person

19%

Have you come back to the host country after completing your project?

61% YES

39% NO

chapter 1 | 23

What was the purpose of your return to the host country?

To visit friend

work

tourist trip

studies

voluntary service

0%

Let’s begin EVS chain reaction! | 24

25%

50%

PROFESSIONAL LIFE Did you choose your EVS project basing on your education or work experience?

56% 44% YES

NO

Have your career path changed because of what you have been doing during the project?

53% 47% YES

NO chapter 1 | 25

How has participation in EVS project changed your carrier path?

Marta, Spain Ú Poland: I decided to work in the country where I made my EVS, my previous experience in the country helps me.

Aleksandra, Poland Ú Bolivia: Taking part in EVS influenced my career, because after coming back I started working in Polish National Agency of YiA Program. My EVS story continues – now as a worker of NA I’m taking part in implementation of the program in my country.

Ewa, Poland Ú Italy: I did not have a very clear idea what to do after studies. It helped me a bit to make a decision. But what I find important is that I started NGO activity on a regular basis after the project.

Claudia, Germany Ú Poland: After EVS it was totally clear what I would do! I started education in the occupational therapy field.

Without making EVS I would study something different.

Maciej, Poland Ú United Kingdom: The confidence in my English skills that I acquired during the project made me think about taking up a teacher’s job, which I finally did a year after coming back.

Ursula, Germany Ú Poland: Before the project I had just finished school, with some ideas of what to do, but no preferences. Having got in touch with so many people from different backgrounds, I decided to study cultural studies.

Sylwia, Poland Ú China: I gave up chemistry and started to work as an EVS coordinator in Stowarzyszenie Promocji Wolontariatu.

Frederike, Germany Ú Poland: It changed my path in the way that I can imagine now to work with disabled people and I found out I generally like this work. Right now I am doing another internship in this field to become more sure if I will start to study or do an apprenticeship to go on working with people with special needs.

“Patrick”, Spain Ú Poland: Before the project I studied philosophy.

I was very concerned about social injustice, people and animals which suffer. I was very concerned about those issues and wondered whether I should go to an ecovillage to live a life less involved in all this injustice. I decided to postpone that huge decision and make an EVS. My project was about working with kids who came from poor and dysfunctional families. That touched my heart and helped me to Let’s begin EVS chain reaction! | 26

notice that it would be a better idea to stay „in the system” trying to bring happiness to people, instead of leaving everything – including family and close friends – to live in a clean and happy ghetto. So, when I came back, I tried to get involved in more voluntary actions.

Małgorzata, Poland Ú Czech Republic: I got a job in the NGO where I did my EVS. Heike, Germany Ú Poland: Before the EVS I finished school and worked temporarily. In my EVS project, I worked with children and young people with disability, and when the time came to think about what I would do afterwards, I changed my ideas. At school I intensively learnt French and thought about studying in a GermanFrench university program (study in both countries), either to become a teacher of French and geography or European media and culture.

While working with young people in the project I realized that I wished to be «closer to life»! Closer to what is really going on and what is really important. I wanted to live my life to the fullest and to find someone to exchange ideas with after school etc. For some lucky reason I landed in a Polish-German town to study pedagogy.

Ines, Germany Ú Poland: My path changed, but not because of what I did in my project, but because of what I learned and experienced in the EVS-country, Poland. I was so pleased about my stay, the people, the language and everything that I decided to study European Studies with the main emphasis on Poland, Polish language and Polish history.

Marie, Germany Ú Poland: Before EVS I wanted to study a social subject, but during EVS I found out that it is better for me to study something else.

Mykhaylo, Ukraine Ú Poland: (…) After the project I stayed in Poland, studied Polish-Russian translation at university and found a good job in Warsaw.

Audrey, France Ú Poland: I decided to work in the same area (social work) and to work for an association rather than another type of organization.

Edyta, Poland Ú Germany: I finished my Master of Arts not in Poland but in Germany because I wanted to stay close to my future husband Patrick S. Fatima, Spain Ú Poland: I was not sure if I wanted to devote myself to psychology. Today I know! I also had the opportunity to participate in other projects. chapter 1 | 27

Janina, Germany Ú Poland: Before starting the project I had just finished high school, and afterwards I decided to study rehabilitation pedagogy based on the work I did with children and youth with disabilities in the project.

Anna, Poland Ú France: I cannot say that I have changed my carrier path because I have not found job yet (I finished my EVS 2 weeks ago).

But I would like to change my path and work with disabled people.

Marie, BelgiumÚ Poland: Well, let’s say I started to dream about working in an association as SPW or JAVVA - my sending organization (both organizations promote and organize international voluntary service projects, ed.).

How has participation in EVS project helped you to get a job?

Maciej, Poland Ú United Kingdom: The experiences in team-work and language skills, as well as social skills were a major factor behind my successful application for jobs as a youth summer camp leader, storyteller, animator and teacher.

Sylwia, Poland Ú China: I was familiar with EVS programme, had experience in this field as a participant and experience in work with international youth – who would be better for a position of EVS coordinator?

Agata, Poland Ú United Kingdom: Taking part in such a project, when you focus not on earning money but on getting a new personal experience and developing yourself is quite unusual in our materialistic world. During job interviews every interviewer asked me about EVS and they were really interested in that project. Participating in EVS gave me so many new experiences that it was one of the most important parts of my CV. Aleksandra, Poland Ú Bolivia: I got a job thanks to EVS, because one of the conditions was to have EVS experience, which is essential if you want to work in National Agency.

Basia, Poland Ú Spain: I started working for an international company that valued my experience abroad.

Christine, Germany Ú Poland: For me, it was kind of a first work experience in the sector of social work combined with foreign Let’s begin EVS chain reaction! | 28

Has participation in EVS project helped you to get a job?

41% 32% YES

NO HARD TO TELL 27%

Have any of the jobs you had after the project been connected with the things you did on your EVS project?

46% 54% YES

NO chapter 1 | 29

language learning. That practical experience was necessary for me to start my studies.

How was your job related to EVS project you have done?

Malwina, Poland Ú Nigeria: In my first job I worked with disabled people as in Ghana (but different type of disability – people with mental illness). Currently I work in an NGO dealing with the interdependencies between global North and South so the knowledge on different aspects of life in Ghana and my experiences are helpful in my everyday work.

Claudia, Germany Ú Poland: I often worked with disabled people as I did during EVS. It is because of my knowledge and, of course, I felt in love with such kind of work.

Aleksandra, Poland Ú Bolivia: I am still doing EVS, but now from the other side :) I review EVS projects, I do accreditations of organization that want to participate in EVS, and I organize trainings for volunteers.

Małgorzata, Poland Ú Czech Republic: I became an EVS coordinator and then main coordinator in the same NGO. I still deal with EVS, publications, youth work, environment, European cooperation, etc.

Fatima, Spain Ú Poland: Nowadays, I am a coordinator in a national NGO called Solidarios para el Desarrollo. There are four programs conducted: Prison, Homeless, Older and Hospital. The last programme “Hospital”, based on accompanying a hospitalized person, is strongly connected with my volunteer experience (I provided support to professionals in a rehabilitation-accommodation centre for disabled people in Warsaw).

What kind of difficulties did you face while looking for a job?

Joanna, Poland Ú Denmark: Usual - the job market is not so easy in Poland and my education and working experience is not that Let’s begin EVS chain reaction! | 30

Did you have difficulties with finding a job after coming back from your EVS project?

19% YES

81% NO

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spectacular. Therefore, it took me a few months to find a job. But I also expected it would be like that. Yet, I must admit that after EVS it was much easier than before - it took me a few months to get a job but I was invited for job interviews much more often than before EVS. Agata, Poland Ú Italy: It was difficult to get back into the job market after EVS which had nothing to do with professional or working experience.

Kamila, Poland Ú France: There were not many offers.

Let’s begin EVS chain reaction! | 32

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT Have you gained new skills?

80% YES

20% NO

What skills have you gained?

A. Language skills a) New language e. g. good Polish, basic Mandarin, understanding and speaking a little German, basic Turkish, fluent Bosnian/ Croatian/Serbian, communicative French b) Improving English e. g. better knowledge of English, speaking and understanding spoken English

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B. Practical skills

taking care of disabled people

leading workshops

conducting meetings for children

working with young people

creating and coordinating projects

working within a very limited environment

teaching adults in English

teaching Polish

woodworking: woodcutting, sawing, handling hammers and mullets of all kinds, even building bridges turnery

pirography

making jewellery

making graphic design

shooting and editing video

writing articles

blogging

ten finger keyboard typing

basics of sign language

knitting

modern jive

cooking Mexican food

making pierogi

origami

belly dancing

playing harmonica

making handmade presents for my friends

C. Life skills

non-verbal communication

organizing my own life

dealing and communicating with difficult people

Let’s begin EVS chain reaction! | 34

Have you discovered new abilities?

66% YES

34% NO

Have you discovered new hobbies?

36% YES

64% chapter 1 | 35

empathy

sensitivity

intercultural cooperation (understanding clash of cultures and cultural differences)

being patient

being open minded

joking (really, I did not know that before!)

stress management

team-working

team-building

interacting with people

facilitation

mediation

independence

openness straight-forwardness

distinguishing between important and unimportant opportunities

coping with missed opportunities

What abilities have you discovered?

To perform in front of a thousand people

To adapt to new conditions and circumstances easily

To learn new languages

To make up something interesting out of nothing

To be patient and lead conversation if it is needed

To work with disabled children and youth without knowing the language

To be flexible

To motivate

To organize and coordinate

To be patient with children

To translate easily

To work in a team

To work with a computer

To make decisions in various situations

To work with children

To spend time with people from totally different social backgrounds than mine

To keep myself busy and challenged in a small town with a very limited choice of sport/cultural/social facilities

To develop ideas and include them in a project Let’s begin EVS chain reaction! | 36

To prepare, organize and realize projects

To do work on my own without consulting people about how to solve a task that I am told to do

To deal with difficult living situations

To share a room for one year

To live without “material wellbeing”

To work in a very hierarchical and gender biased environment

Not to judge at first, second or third glance

To build relations easily

To take it easy in some situations with certain people

To make different workshops with disabled people

What hobbies have you discovered?

Knitting

Juggling

Writing letters

Cycling

Learning foreign languages

Learning Polish!

Drawing

Travelling, low-budget travelling, making small trips, travelling!!!

Salsa

Modern jive

Playing guitar

Taking long walks in the forest

Listening to the people

Polish culture!!!

Puzzles

Handmade and recycled jewellery

Wild camping!

Photography

chapter 1 | 37

Has your attitude towards getting to know other countries changed?

Yes, I have become more open for job offers and living abroad

50%

yes, i travel to other countries more often than before Yes, I am more interested in other countries

25% other answer no, my attitude has not changed

0% I do not know

Volunteers comment...

Joanna, Poland Ú Denmark: I went on EVS after I participated in Erasmus so it was not my first time abroad. That first time changed my attitude much more than the second one, because I was already a different person.

Dagna, Poland Ú Bosnia and Hercegovina: I was generally open for job offers abroad and travelled a lot before EVS. I am planning to continue doing that but I also realized some advantages of living and working in my home country, at least for some period of time.

I particularly missed cultural and social life, as well as public discussions and quality magazines/reviews on social subjects.

Aleksandra, Poland Ú Bolivia: Once again I realized that if you really want to know a country you need to live there for some time. I do not know how many books and articles I have read about Bolivia, but what I saw and experienced there was completely different from what I imagined.

Let’s begin EVS chain reaction! | 38

Has your attitude towards other cultures changed?

Yes, i am glad to get to know people from other cultures

50%

25%

yes, i am more tolerant

no, i made sure that what i knew was true

other answer

0%

Volunteers comment...

“Patrick”, Spain Ú Poland: I have always been interested in exploring other cultures. Now my interest is more on places I had never thought of before, because I stay in touch with people who come from places like Georgia.

Edyta, Poland Ú Germany: I am more aware of how deep and complicated other countries are.

Malwina, Poland Ú Nigeria: I was not shocked by their culture, rather amazed and happy that unlike us in Poland many people in Ghana were very proud of their heritage, fashion, food and way of life.

For sure, my attitude towards other cultures has changed thanks to the knowledge I gained in Ghana. It made me richer in experiences, but not more or less tolerant towards others. I think this experience will help me understand other cultures better.

chapter 1 | 39

Yes, i became intolerant

VOLUNTARY SERVICE Had you been volunteering before you did your EVS project?

54% 46% YES

NO

Sylwia, Poland Ú China: I was a volunteer for about 2 years in Stowarzyszenie Promocji Wolontariatu, my Sending Organization. I was a work camp leader twice and a mentor to EVS volunteers. Beforehand, I volunteered for 2-3 weeks in other places: I worked in elderly house, helped an old lady with everyday chores and guided foreign students during exchange visits. But my adventure with voluntary service started on a work camp in Lithuania, where I met people devoted to volunteering. They impressed me so much that I decided to seek opportunities for volunteers in Warsaw.

Heike, Germany Ú Poland: I worked in a café for young people, run by the Protestant Church in my small hometown. I also accompanied them during trips on weekends and helped them for two weeks as a volunteer.

I was also active in a group of Greenpeace volunteers in a big city close to my home town.

Dagna, Poland Ú Bosnia & Herzegovina: I was a volunteer in a few NGOs in Warsaw including human rights film festival and photo Let’s begin EVS chain reaction! | 40

exhibition. I was doing advocacy work for human rights and raising European awareness.

Fatima, Spain Ú Poland: I was a volunteer in Solidarios para el Desarrollo since 2004 (Fatima started her service in 2008, ed.). At first I worked with children who live in a difficult neighbourhood. We developed various games and organized a theatre. After six months I decided to change my programme and help homeless people. In that programme volunteers offer coffee to homeless and have a conversation with them. My service in Solidarios was not the only one - I was a volunteer and collaborator of Red Cross and Asamblea de la Cooperación por la Paz in several seminaries, workshops and meetings with young people. Themes we worked on were: Gender and Development, Objetives of Development, Health, Prevention Risk Behaviours and Environment. In 2006 I became a member of a new association called Asociación de Mediadores Juveniles DETUATU. The main task of the association was to work on subjects that involved young people such as prevention of violence, sexual education, knowledge needed to start a volunteer service, drug problems, etc. We run different seminaries in Seville and a programme on eating habits in order to prevent possible health problems like anorexia or bulimia.

Dorota, Poland Ú Ghana: I have been involved in many different kinds of volunteering - once a year (Christmas actions), once a week (animal shelter, orphanage), long term and abroad in Europe (8 months, 35hrs a week, in a rehabilitation unit for homeless alcoholics), short term (3 months abroad in Tanzania with disabled people) and working in a hospital for 3 weeks with occupational therapy unit in Dublin.

Have you joined any voluntary service projects in your country after coming back from your EVS?

34% 66% YES

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NO

Have you joined any voluntary service projects in your country after coming back from your EVS? Marina, Ukraine Ú Poland: I helped in administrating the website and translating for the Center of Contemporary Art in Kyiv.

Maciej, Poland Ú United Kingdom: As a volunteer I have been helping children with learning difficulties and from disfunctional families. Once, I took part in an action of gathering food for the poor.

Malwina, Poland Ú Nigeria: I was a mentor to one African volunteer in Poland.

Dagna, Poland Ú Bosnia and Hercegovina: I realized my own nonprofit project - I organized Amnesty International’s Global Letter Writing Marathon in Sarajevo.

Christine, Germany Ú Poland: During summer I went with the German project „Heim-statt-Tschernobyl” to Belarus several times to organize holiday camps for people living in unsafe areas around Tshernobyl.

Have you cooperated with any of the organizations that were engaged in your EVS project?

50%

No Sending organisation

25%

host organisation

0%

Let’s begin EVS chain reaction! | 42

Coordinating organisation

Which organization have you cooperated with and how?

Joanna, Poland Ú Denmark: I worked in two organizations in Denmark, one of them helps Polish and East European homeless.

After EVS I was often asked for some advice by my colleagues. I was trying to collect the proper information (about law and regulations) and send it them by email.

Malwina, Poland Ú Nigeria: I organized workshops on intercultural communication with a sending organization and afterwards I participated in a mentoring programme. My host organization sends invites me to visit Nigeria again for my own project.

Kamila, Poland Ú France: I was working for them during historically-oriented camps for children.

Edyta, Poland Ú Germany (project realized in 2002-2003, ed.): I realized a number of projects with my host organization: Jugendhof Vlotho (Open Space Seminar, World Footbal Game in 2006, 400 Euro in 2008) and IJGD (Multinational Hosting Organization Seminar in 2006, Weltwärts Seminar - sending youth to Eastern Europe countries in 2009, via. Berlin. Weltwärts Seminar - sending youth to the Third World countries in 2009, Youth for Europe Seminar in 2009).

Micaela, Spain Ú Poland: I organize training courses, seminars, exchanges with my sending organization AFAIJ. Always through „Youth in action” programme.

Have any of your friends/ colleagues/ relatives decided to become an EVS volunteer because of your experience?

31% 42% YES

NO I do not know 27%

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How many of your friends/ colleagues/ relatives decided to do EVS because of your experience?

1

50% i am not sure

25%

0%

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2-5

6-9

10 and more

Dorota Braziewicz

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Chapter 3.

INTERWIEVS Interview with Hannah Speidel Hannah, a volunteer from Germany, did her European Voluntary Service in the Special Education and Rehabilitation Centre “Helenów” (Specjalny Ośrodek Szkolno-Wychowawczy TPD “Helenów”) in Warsaw. For one year (September 2005 – August 2006) she worked mainly with children and youth with cerebral palsy. } When did you start your voluntary service?

Before I came to Poland to do my EVS, I had already done some voluntary service - after school I went to England for a year. My motivation at that time was influenced by the social surrounding, which I grew up in: my mother works in the social field, my father is a teacher and I did a lot of voluntary work before. I remember one particular moment: a special day at my school in November, called Saint-Martin. The school organized fund-raising for social projects during that day. When I was in 10th or 11th class we collected money for an orphanage in Saint-Petersburg, Russia. We were told a lot about the project and that they had international volunteers. It was the moment when I thought “oh, I could do Let’s begin EVS chain reaction! | 46

something like that after school as well!” This is how I got the idea. A few years later, after school, I decided to do it. I was looking for different possibilities and finally I went to England. I quite liked it. When I was there I got another voluntary service offer from a German organization. I thought I would really like to use that opportunity and that is why I came to Poland. } How do you feel about doing voluntary service?

I feel quite good with it. You gain a lot from it. On one hand, you are in another country, so you experience different culture and you meet a lot of people. Moreover, you get a chance to learn different language, for instance Polish. You can give something and you can have something in return. I think it was quite a good experience, even my work. Of course, it always depends on with whom you work. I worked with children and it is kind of easy job, even if you do not know the language, because you can interact with children a lot without knowing the language. I think that taught me a lot. } Is being a volunteer in your home country very different from being a volunteer in another country?

I think in another country it is a bigger adventure. I did voluntary work at home as well. You have your normal, daily life, you go to school or university and you volunteer a bit here and there. In fact you just have your normal life. And if you go abroad you get more of it, because you have this adventure, you can experience a lot of other things. And I think you grow up a lot thanks to that. } What were you doing as a volunteer in “Helenów”?

I had three different types of work. At the beginning I was mainly working in hippo therapy with horses. I think during the first month I hardly did anything else because that kind of job did not require any language skills from me - I just had to lead the horses.

Besides, people there spoke English a little, so it was easier for me.

Then, I started to work at a boarding school in the mornings and my timetable changed a lot during that period. By the end, I was there four mornings from 7 to 10 helping children to get up, wash, get dressed, brush teeth, have breakfast and go to school. That was the second part. And the third one was teaching kids twice a week. I was there as an assistant, helping with whatever they were doing. } What did you experience concerning Polish culture?

For me “Helenów” was like an island. Everything there was a bit different, people were very friendly and open. At the beginning, CHAPTER 3 | 47

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some people did not know how to react to me because I did not know any Polish and they did not really speak English or German.

Later on, I found out that they could speak English but they did not dare, because they thought their English was bad. Yet, their English was better than my Polish! Anyway, there were a few people with whom I could communicate so it was not a problem to get along with them. We had mentors with whom we had a lot of contact, so we got to know some Polish people. Apart from them, I did not have much contact with Polish people.

I had a feeling, that people are a bit more open and friendly than in Germany. Things like that. I did not really have many problems in Poland. } What did you think about Polish food?

I was eating in “Helenów”, so I had to eat what was there. All in all, it was quite ok. Of course, there were a few things I noticed.

For example, I like eating pastas and in “Helenów” 6 out of 7 days I ate potatoes. I do not know if it is a Polish thing or is it just cheaper. I guess it is cheaper. I remember that I did not like breakfasts so much because we were getting zupa mleczna (milk soup). It took me a long time to get used to it. In the end, I even liked it, but at first I thought “What is this? Warm and sweet milk with rice?” I had the same problems with sausages or galaretka ( jelly) that we sometimes got for breakfast. I got used to it eventually and it was not so bad after all. } How did you spend time with other volunteers?

We travelled quite a lot, especially when we had long weekends.

We travelled mainly to tourist places such as Kraków, Kraków and Torun. A few of us went even to Kraków which I did not quite like. We were also trying to get to know Warsaw as well. We visited several museums and places like that. } What do you do in Poland this time?

In Germany I study pedagogy, specialize in elementary and family pedagogy. Moreover, I study “German as a foreign language” as an additional subject. That is why I came to Poland to do voluntary service at school and gain some teaching experience. } Are you going to stay in Poland?

I have to go back to finish my studies. I would like to, but I think it is not really possible because I studied social work, pedagogy.

Even if I was able to work here, I would not earn much. It does not mean that I need a lot of money, but I want to be able to have CHAPTER 3 | 49

my own room for example. In Germany you do not earn much as a pedagogue comparing to other professions but you can afford much more than with a Polish salary here. Well, I could teach German… I think it is not my last time here but I do not know yet. } Do you have a favorite place in Warsaw?

I really like the Old Town but I think everybody likes it. There are some smaller places, for example near the Vistula River, which I like as well . } What is your favorite restaurant?

Not far away from here, between this place (SPW office, ed.), University of Technology and Constitution Square there is a Polish restaurant, which looks very traditional. Inside it looks like it is from a different decade and I really like that. When someone visits me, we usually go there, but I would not eat there on a daily basis. There are also other places like the Marriot Hotel. They have a restaurant on the 14th floor. I was there two weeks ago for the first time and it is great, because you can see the whole Warsaw from there. But it is a place just for special occasions. Of course, I really like hot chocolate from Wedel. I remember when I was in Warsaw for EVS, there were pubs in the pavilions behind Nowy Świat Street and we often went there. I do not know if they still exist. They were a bit old and not very nice but we always went there. } Do you like any Polish artists in the fields of music or cinema?

When I was here for the first time, we had CDs of Polish groups such as T-Love, Elektryczne Gitary or Pidżama Porno. Right now, I prefer listening to Polish radio stations. When it comes to cinema, I bought a lot of DVDs which I have not watched yet. Sometimes I go to the cinema to watch a Polish movie. I understand them at last! } Which Polish city do you recommend to visit?

There are many such as Kraków or Poznań, which are very beautiful. Of course, Wrocław is quite nice. I have to say that Kraków is also a lovely place but there are too many tourists.

That is the reason why I prefer other places. There is Kazimierz Dolny, which is very unique if you want to go there for a few days.

I really like the mountains and the seaside. I think there are a lot of small and attractive places. Of course, Warsaw is the most favourite town for me:)

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Interview with Marta Blanquez Blanco Marta, a volunteer from Spain, did her European Voluntary Service in the Helping Hand Foundation (Fundacja Pomocna Dłoń) in Warsaw. For one year (September 2006 – March 2007) she worked with intellectually disabled adults. } You have been volunteering before and after your EVS. What is the importance of voluntary service for you?

There is more than one reason. It is important to realize who you are and volunteering is a way to get to know yourself. When I think “volunteering”, I think “working with people” because it is what I like to do, especially with disabled or elderly people. I think interacting with them helps you a lot and when you have time it is good to help other people. Sometimes it is even selfish - are you doing this for other people or more for yourself? It certainly makes you feel good and gives you the satisfaction that you did something for other people. Sometimes it can be hard, but in my opinion everyone should try it. } How did you begin doing voluntary service?

The first time I did voluntary service was in Madrid, I worked with elderly people. When started to look for some voluntary service I did not know what to expect. I felt I wanted to do something. I did not want my life to be just “going to school”. I found an organization at my university and started working with elderly people. Then I wanted to try work with children and I took up work with intellectually disabled children. } What were your first voluntary experiences like?

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The first voluntary service I did was with an elderly woman. I was visiting her once a week for a few hours to spend some time with her. At the beginning she was a bit closed but with the course of time she opened. When I started to work with disabled people, maybe at the beginning it was the same. It was my first voluntary experience with those people so it was a bit difficult to adapt but step by step I was gaining experience and getting used to it. } Why did you decide to do voluntary service abroad?

I am a very outgoing person. I thought voluntary work would help me learn something about myself.

Some people go abroad only to travel…

At first, I was looking for some organizations and wanted to go to South America, Africa or somewhere like that. I was quite young and my parents told me I should wait for that kind of experience.

My first voluntary service abroad was in Peru for one month with children without families. Then, I really started to look on the internet for some major organizations that I would know.

Honestly, I think it is difficult to find something that gives you full security. There are a lot of organizations and different kinds of projects. Sometimes you do not completely know what the project is like or how the organization works.

I was crazy when I was young. Then, I started to think if the place I wanted to go is also safe. For example, I wanted to go to Mexico to work with people that live on the street. Not only was it kind a difficult project but also the organization was a bit strange. At the beginning they accepted me, later on they told me “no” arguing that they had problems with Spanish volunteers so they did not want to work with me. It made me aware that you really have to know the organization with which you want to cooperate. I found EVS at a fair for volunteers and thought it was a great idea to participate, because it was a well-known organization. } Did you choose the EVS project because of its theme or country where it took place?

I chose the project. In Spain I worked with intellectually disabled people for 5 or 6 years and I looked for a project in this field. I applied for a project in Lithuania, but it was cancelled and my sending organization offered me another one in Poland. It was kind of a coincident, I was supposed to go to Lithuania.

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Dorota Braziewicz

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} What did you do in your project?

I worked at Pomocna Dłoń. It is a house where elderly and intellectually disabled people live. They were around 40 years old, the youngest one was even under 30 but the average age was over 40. They lived there: eat, sleep and have their activities. My role was to be with them and to take care of them. I particularly remember two elderly women who needed a lot of help. For me and the other volunteer the most important task was to care about them. Every morning we woke and dressed them up, took them for breakfast and helped them with eating. Later during the day some people participated in different workshops, they used to say that they were “going to work”. Another group of people was staying at home and there were activities organized for them as well. We helped them with everyday things like dressing up, cleaning, eating… } Did you have a chance to fulfill your own ideas during the project?

At the beginning it was a bit difficult because of the language barrier. Even if we wanted to organize something, we had to ask the workers to explain it to the residents. After some time we were able to organize more things. } How did you communicate with the residents and workers at the beginning of the project when you did not speak Polish?

It was very funny! Before coming to Poland, I had a bilingual week, I found a teacher who gave me Polish lessons. It really helped me a lot later because I knew something about the sound of the letters and I learned a few sentences such as “how are you?” I also learnt a lot of things in English, but none of the workers spoke English, which was difficult for other volunteers and me. But it was also funny because most of them tried to communicate with us in other ways. Some of them were shy, so we were using gestures to understand each other. When I wanted to say “a plate”, we tried to show “a plate”. Me and the other volunteers learnt Polish very fast because we had to. And we really wanted to! We felt that in some situations the inhabitants of the house wanted to tell us something and we felt very bad when we did not understand them. After some time we also learnt to recognize their gestures, for example we knew which sign meant that a lady wanted her bag. } Who else participated in the project?

We were the only two in that place (Fundacja Pomocna Dłoń, ed.) but we started meeting lots of volunteers during our Polish Let’s begin EVS chain reaction! | 54

lessons. I really do not remember how many of us were there, but there were a lot of Spanish people. I think it was the year when the majority of the group was Spanish, there were at least five of us. } What was the atmosphere in the group like?

I think we had a very good atmosphere. However, it is also true that even if we came from the same culture, we were also very different. For sure, if we had got to know each other in Spain, we would not have become close friends. But when you participate in a project, you cannot choose people with whom you are. This was also interesting. For me culture shock meant trying to have good relations with people you would not meet at home. Sometimes there were problems, discussions and misunderstandings, but at other times we travelled together and made parties. } You shared a room with another volunteer. Was it easy?

Honestly, sometimes we had problems. We were very different - even though we were both Spanish, we could not always understand each other. I think we went through that very well, because we were talking a lot to solve the problem. All in all, I have good memories. } Did you have any other relationships beside those with volunteers?

We were lucky because we had a lot of other relations. We were making a good team with the other volunteer in my project. We were meeting with our mentor, who was Polish. We lived in Pomocna Dloń and there were workers during the night - we had also good relations with them.

Personally, I also met my boyfriend, husband now, here. He is Polish and he is not from Warsaw but from a little village outside Warsaw, which was also very interesting for me. Life in a little village is very nice and completely different from living in a big city. I had a chance to see how the real life of a Polish family looks like. } What have you been doing after your project?

As I said, I am a very outgoing person. After the project, I came back to the university, and then I went to Lithuania. I was frequently coming to Poland because of my boyfriend. After my studies, I never felt like I wanted to move out from Spain. I think that when you are abroad you live more intensively, you feel as if you have to make more effort to find what you need. It makes you CHAPTER 3 | 55

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“superior”. You have to fight, which sometimes is hard but it is also a challenge.

I could have chosen another country than Poland, but as I said my boyfriend lives here and we already started plan our future life here. At the beginning I studied photography, then I worked in a lot of different places. Unfortunately, I still have not found a permanent job. } What are you currently doing?

I am still working for a Spanish music company. But the company is not doing very well and my boss told me he can only hire me for part-time only. In fact, it is the first job where I got a contract that also covers my insurance etc. But now the company is not doing so well… } Are you going to stay in Poland for a long time?

I am starting to miss my family and I am changing a lot. Before coming here I was crazier, younger and it was easier to start my life in other place. I miss things from Spain more and more with the course of time. At first, it is different because everything is new and you are excited about certain things. Now it is harder, but I would still like to stay here. I am afraid to go back to Spain to look for a job, because the job market there is not doing well right now. Even here it is hard to find it. } How would you describe the Polish society compared to Spanish?

It is hard to describe it. I think the Poles are more negative than Spanish people, more pessimistic and they complain more. But at the same time they have a lot of energy. They are very good hosts and are very helpful. If you go to a place, a house, they will give you everything they can. There is one more thing: they complain a lot that the country is not going in the right direction, but they love it and they are proud of it, “We had a hard history but we are still a country.” } Were there any striking elements of everyday life in Poland?

Dinner time. In Pomocna Dłoń dinner was at 6 PM and I was thinking “Oh my god, I will be hungry in the evening!” Now I live here and I already got used to it. Sometimes I eat at midnight, other times at 5 PM. I adapted to food quite quickly, for example to polish breakfasts - in Spain we have something sweet for breakfast. We definitely have longer nightlife in Spain. Before coming here it would have been strange for me to meet with CHAPTER 3 | 57

friends at 6 because it was early. Now when someone tells me to meet later I think “Oh no, I do not want to…”, because when I am comfortable at home and it is cold outside, I will not go out.

In Spain it is different because of different climate and different rhythm of life. I was also used to saying “Hello!” to everyone when I was in Spain: to the bus driver, in the shop and so on.

Here I was also saying “Cześć!” to everybody, even to the bus driver, and everyone was giving me a strange look. Once in a shop someone answered me but probably he knew I was a foreigner.

Interview with Anna Andrzejewska Anna did her European Voluntary Service at the organization ENTRE ACTE in France. She spent one year (February 2011 – February 2012) working with people with mental disorders in a group of mutual help. } Did you do voluntary work before going for EVS? During my studies I cooperated with a foundation taking care of elderly women. It was my first time as a volunteer. That is how I entered NGO’s world. Afterwards, I did different things because I was looking for a job and I thought that this way I could obtain professional contacts and find a job. Later it became really interesting - I worked voluntarily in a psychiatric hospital. } How did you benefit from being a volunteer?

I met interesting people who had similar ideas to mine and we exchanged knowledge and information… It was the most important thing for me.

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} Why did you decide to do EVS? The EVS programme sounded very interesting and I wanted to go somewhere to see how it works. I travelled a lot before, but travelling as such is different. I dreamed about such experience.

I did not take part in Erasmus, so I was a bit disappointed after my studies. I was wondering what I could do. This is a part of the answer. There were also other reasons. I was not satisfied with my work - I was working in NGO and I was not paid well, which was frustrating. I thought it was the best moment to leave, because I finished work with one of the two organizations. So I had time for EVS. } What was your role as a volunteer?

I worked with people with mental disorders in a group of mutual help. These groups have been created to reinforce the equality of rights for disabled people. This is essential - it makes the patients more independent. We accompany them but we do not do everything for them. I worked 5 days per week, 30 hours as it was specified by the programme. The meeting place is open 4 days per week and on Sundays. So once a month I worked on Sunday. The meeting place enables disabled people to gather. These people were previously patients of Cadillac’s psychiatric hospital near Bordeaux. Cadillac is well known in that part of France as the city of mental people. That was also a part of the project: to improve the reputation of Cadillac and its inhabitants.

The patients of our centre are independent and live in their own flats in Cadillac, though they are still taken care of by psychomedical centres and by doctors. Their mental disorders requires care and help from other people, because it is very hard for them to go through everyday life alone. Even for healthy people, it is hard. I took part in a project where I was a kind of educator but as volunteer, of course. I was involved in several activities: going to the beach, theater or Bordeaux… In January, we organized a “belotte” (name of a card game, ed.) competition. Then I had the opportunity to create my own project. I organized a relaxation activity every week. It was very important for me because I am very interested in these fields: yoga, relaxation and psychomotor activities. I wanted to see if it worked or not and if I could succeed in it. } Did you have problems with communication during your project?

I knew French before participating in EVS. I studied it for 4 years in secondary school, but I did not have the courage to speak in CHAPTER 3 | 59

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Dorota Braziewicz

Marta Bogdańska

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that language. I knew grammar, conjugation but I did not speak much. Before leaving for my EVS I took a few lessons to practice my speech and I managed to improve it a bit. Now I speak well, although sometimes I make mistakes. At the beginning I spoke a little and it was exhausting, I missed words and expressions. The team was French-speaking, none of them spoke English. Patients often had difficulties to express themselves and it was not easy for me, as well as the team, to understand them. But I was really motivated, very optimistic and happy to have the possibility to do this project. After two, three months it was easier. } What was the contact with the working team and people under your charge like?

It was quite easy because I was using my psychology skills. It required lot of energy and concentration, however I still think it was quite easy. They were very nice and very hospitable. } How did you adapt to the French culture and way of life?

It was easy because I had already been travelling a bit. I spent 3 months in India, whose the culture is very different. In France, I found nearly the same products that I use in Poland, for cooking for example. From the personal perspective I met volunteers from India, Kenya and I did not find very big cultural differences. I think that we are rather similar than different.

I really appreciated cooking and the culture of eating together.

It was really interesting. I appreciated lunches when you could sit and relax for an hour. You do not think about work, just have a cup coffee. It is really important. You meet people around the table. It was great to discover this. I am going to try this with my family here in Poland as a kind of transmission. } How do you feel now, right after coming back to Poland?

It is weird. I left Warsaw for one year. One year is not a long time.

Everything is quite the same on a material level. But I feel that I am not the same person anymore, for instance I have more energy.

I feel full of motivation even if it is cold and rainy here. I am active and ready to do a lot of activities. I just hope Warsaw will not kill that positive attitude in me.

I am a bit afraid of that because I do not like big cities. My goal during EVS was to leave Warsaw. I have always been living here or not far from here. I have always stayed connected with this city, which in the end, is exhausting. Therefore, I really enjoyed Cadillac and vineyards.

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} Would you prefer to work in France or stay here?

It is interesting because I asked myself this question back then.

France is very beautiful and I have friends there now. I know I will be back there this summer, but not for work. There are many volunteers who will stay there. My EVS colleague Valentina, for example, is looking for a job or an educational training. Work is not everything to me. In Warsaw, I have all my friends so I do not know. Maybe I will stay in Poland and try to find a job near Warsaw, Wrocław or Kraków. Or maybe I will try to find another project to go abroad, but not in France this time. I enjoyed the experience and I would like to come back there from time to time.

I want to travel more and discover other places around the world. } You seem positive about the whole experience. Did you any have doubts during the project?

Yes, in October, four months before the end of my project. I thought I had done everything I had to do. At that time, it became boring, there was not much to discover anymore. I knew the language, I made my own project, and I knew the secrets of the work. I felt good at work and understood the team but I missed my family and friends. I had a crisis: what was I supposed to do during the last four months? } How did you go through it?

In the middle of October, I had my mid-term training. I went there in a pessimistic mood. “I have nothing to do and I have to stay here for four more months.” The trainers told me: “Wait, can you hear yourself speaking? Look at what you have already done during the previous months. You have still four months to discover a new goal and find new motivations in your EVS.” It helped me a lot. I realized I knew how to speak French but I had never really tried to read. Then I met a great yoga teacher. I decided not to focus on the work anymore but to concentrate on my yoga classes and develop my language skills.

All interviews were conducted by Marie Francard in February 2012 in Warsaw.

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Dorota Braziewicz

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Chapter 4.

EVS VOLUNTEERS HOSTED AND SENT BY STOWARZYSZENIE PROMOCJI WOLONTARIATU

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1. VOLUNTEERS HOSTED IN SPW PROJECTS IN THE PERIOD OF 1999 - 2011

2010

2011

Grant application

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Volunteer

Sending country

Period of voluntary service*

Host organisation

Diana Coelho

Portugal

01.09.2011-25.11.2011

Diana Ichim

Moldova

01.09.2011-31.05.2012

Centrum Rehabilitacji, Edukacji i Opieki TPD “Helenów”, Warsaw

Serghei Brovinschi

Moldova

01.09.2011-31.05.2012

Claudia Jakob

Germany

01.09.2011-01.03.2012

Alberto Sanchez Castano

Spain

01.09.2011-31.05.2012

Dom Pomocy Społecznej “Na Przedwiośniu”, Warsaw

Jil-Afra Breuer

Germany

01.09.2011-31.05.2012

Bianca Elhert

Germany

01.09.2011-31.05.2012

Młodzieżowy Ośrodek Socjoterapii “Jędruś”, Józefów

Laura Schmedding

Germany

01.09.2011-23.12.2011

Laura Ramin

Austria

01.09.2011-31.05.2012

Marie Francard

Belgium

01.09.2011-31.03.2012

Zoran Gajin

Serbia

01.09.2011-31.03.2012

Donata Voigt

Germany

01.09.2010 - 01.06.2011

Lea Aigner

Germany

01.09.2010 - 01.06.2011

Annemarie Köbsch

Germany

01.09.2010 - 01.06.2011

Olga Stroevici

Moldova

01.09.2010 - 31.05.2011

Hanna Schur

Germany

01.10.2010 - 30.06.2011

Arman Orman

Turkey

01.09.2010 - 31.05.2011

Frederike Kohlmeyer

Germany

01.09.2010 - 05.06.2011

Eunice Ntim

Ghana

11.10.2010 - 17.06.2011

Fundacja "Pomocna Dłoń", Warsaw Stowarzyszenie Promocji Wolontariatu Młodzieżowy Ośrodek Socjoterapii “Jędruś”, Józefów Fundacja "Pomocna Dłoń", Warsaw Centrum Rehabilitacji, Edukacji i Opieki TPD “Helenów”, Warsaw

2008

2009

Grant application

Volunteer

Sending country

Period of voluntary service*

Host organisation

Analy Coronado Lopez

Peru

25.01.2009-25.07.2010

Heike Kleinschmidt

Germany

15.09.2009-25.06.2010

Giorgi Javashvili

Georgia

16.09.2009-11.01.2010

Specjalny Ośrodek Szkolno-WychowawczoRehabilitacyjny TPD „Helenów”, Warsaw

Andrei Pocitari

Moldova

15.09.2009-10.06.2010

Bianca Holsten

Germany

15.09.2009-15.06.2010

Ines Ellertmann

Germany

15.09.2009-15.06.2010

Hannah Grevenstette

Germany

15.09.2009-15.06.2010

Mykhaylo Pikhotskyy

Ukraine

15.09.2009-15.06.2010

Ośrodek SzkolnoWychowawczy dla Dzieci Niesłyszących i Słabosłyszących, Otwock

Georgy Makeev

Russia

15.09.2009-15.06.2010

Dom Pomocy Społecznej “Na Przedwiośniu”, Warsaw

Ketevan Giorgadze

Georgia

16.09.2009-15.06.2010

Ursula Suchanek

Germany

15.09.2009-15.06.2010

Fundacja "Pomocna Dłoń", Warsaw

Iria Barreiro Garcia

Spain

02.10.2009-03.08.2010

Lara Cornaggia

Italy

01.10.2009-07.03.2010

Fatima Jimenez Gomez

Spain

1.10.2008-31.07.2009

Anna Sophia Boelz

Germany

1.10.2008-10.11.2008

Vega Velasco Sampedro

Spain

1.10.2008-31.07.2009

Ośrodek SzkolnoWychowawczy dla Dzieci Niesłyszących i Słabosłyszących, Otwock

Marij Duhra

Germany

1.10.2008-31.07.2009

Aino Saukkosaari

Finland

1.10.2008-31.07.2009

Mazowieckie Centrum Neurorehabilitacji i Psychiatrii, Zagórze

Aleksandra Krasovskaya

Russia

1.10.2008-27.07.2009

Alessandra Martino

Italy

1.10.2008-31.07.2009

Zane Imune

Latvia

1.10.2008-31.07.2009

Rosario Olmo Fernandez

Spain

1.10.2008-31.07.2009

Mogamad Nazeem Dudley

South Africa

2.10.2008-26.06.2009

Let’s begin EVS chain reaction! | 68

Młodzieżowy Ośrodek Socjoterapii “Jędruś”, Józefów

Fundacja "Pomocna Dłoń", Warsaw

Specjalny Ośrodek Szkolno-WychowawczoRehabilitacyjny TPD „Helenów”, Warsaw Młodzieżowy Ośrodek Socjoterapii “Jędruś”, Józefów

2006

2007

Grant application

CHAPTER 3 | 69

Volunteer

Sending country

Period of voluntary service*

Host organisation

Alexandr Saronin

Moldova

15.04.2008-25.11.2008

Johanna Mueller

Germany

15.09.2007-14.08.2008

Laura Hempel

Germany

15.09.2007-14.08.2008

Specjalny Ośrodek Szkolno-WychowawczoRehabilitacyjny TPD „Helenów”, Warsaw

Miriam Pastor Benga

Spain

15.09.2007-14.09.2008

Silvia del Carmen Tomas Lledo

Spain

15.09.2007-27.11.2007

Zinaida Borodkina

Georgia

15.09.2007-14.08.2008

Suvi Laakso

Finland

15.09.2007-14.08.2008

Olalla Merling Conde

Spain

15.11.2007-14.08.2008

Ainhoa Areitio Elorduy

Spain

15.09.2007-14.08.2008

Anna Gierens

Germany

15.09.2007-14.09.2008

Anne Lobach

Germany

15.09.2007-14.09.2008

Claudia Goetze

Germany

15.09.2007-14.09.2008

Johanna Foeth

Germany

15.09.2007-14.09.2008

Maryna Grudii

Ukraine

01.09.2006 – 10.07.2007

Noora Joenuu

Finland

01.09.2006 – 31.08.2007

Alla Krasovskaya

Russia

01.09.2006 – 31.08.2007

Janina Brandes

Germany

01.09.2006 – 31.08.2007

Rosalia Guadelupe Balboa Diaz

Spain

01.09.2006 – 31.08.2007

Natalia Soledad Aparicio

Spain

01.09.2006 – 31.08.2007

Micaela Galano Rollano

Spain

01.09.2006 – 31.08.2007

Paloma Fernandez-Amigo Aguado

Spain

01.09.2006 – 31.08.2007

Pia Maleen Rabot

Germany

01.09.2006 – 31.08.2007

Agnes Przewoznik

Germany

01.09.2006 – 31.08.2007

Natalie Antkowiak

Germany

01.09.2006 – 31.08.2007

Nicole Nowakowski

Germany

01.09.2006 – 31.08.2007

Marta Blanquez Blanco

Spain

15.09.2006 – 14.03.2007

Paula Barcelo Gisbert

Spain

15.09.2006 – 14.09.2007

Makvala Chkhaidze

Georgia

04.09.2006 – 04.06.2007

Fundacja "Pomocna Dłoń", Warsaw

Ośrodek SzkolnoWychowawczy dla Dzieci Niesłyszących i Słabosłyszących, Otwock Młodzieżowy Ośrodek Socjoterapii “Jędruś”, Józefów Mazowieckie Centrum Neurorehabilitacji i Psychiatrii, Zagórze Dom Pomocy Społecznej “Na Przedwiośniu”, Warsaw Ośrodek SzkolnoWychowawczy dla Dzieci Niesłyszących i Słabosłyszących, Otwock Specjalny Ośrodek Szkolno-WychowawczoRehabilitacyjny TPD „Helenów”, Warsaw Młodzieżowy Ośrodek Socjoterapii “Jędruś”, Józefów Specjalny Ośrodek Szkolno-Wychowawczy Nr 1, Otwock Dom Pomocy Społecznej “Na Przedwiośniu”, Warsaw Mazowieckie Centrum Neurorehabilitacji i Psychiatrii, Zagórze Fundacja "Pomocna Dłoń", Warsaw Stowarzyszenie Promocji Wolontariatu

2004

2005

Grant application

Volunteer

Sending country

Period of voluntary service*

Host organisation

Itziar Respaldiza

Spain

05.09.2005 – 31.08.2006

Susana Garcia Villar

Spain

07.02.2006 - 31.08.2006

Specjalny Ośrodek Szkolno-Wychowawczy Nr 1, Otwock

Heini Talvikki Ekman

Finland

05.09.2005 – 31.08.2006

Laramie Lizarralde Pareja

Spain

05.09.2005 – 31.08.2006

Johanna Meyer-Gohde

Germany

07.09.2005 – 31.08.2006

Monique Baaske

Germany

07.09.2005 – 31.08.2006

Maria Siebke

Germany

07.09.2005 – 31.08.2006

Hanne Mauch

Germany

02.10.2005 – 31.08.2006

Susana Vazquez Galvan

Spain

07.09.2005 – 31.08.2006

Cristina Vadillo Pulido

Spain

07.09.2005 – 31.08.2006

Hannah Katharina Speidel

Germany

05.09.2005 – 31.08.2006

Audrey Roquefort

France

16.10.2005 – 31.08.2006

Nuria Roca Terricabras

Spain

06.09.2004 - 31.08.2005

Lucia Caseiro Abadin

Spain

01.09.2004 - 31.08.2005

Raquel Venancio Zambrano

Spain

06.09.2004 - 31.08.2005

Larraitz Castro Etxeberria

Spain

06.09.2004 - 31.08.2005

Inmaculada Galdlego Alvarez

Spain

06.09.2004 - 31.08.2005

Ośrodek SzkolnoWychowawczy dla Dzieci Niesłyszących i Słabosłyszących, Otwock

Karoline Klahr

Germany

01.09.2004 - 31.08.2005

Sabrina Eichin

Germany

01.09.2004 - 31.08.2005

Mazowieckie Centrum Neurorehabilitacji i Psychiatrii, Zagórze

Anne Katharina Koch

Germany

06.09.2004 - 31.08.2005

Julia Lisa Moller

Germany

06.09.2004 - 31.08.2005

Let’s begin EVS chain reaction! | 70

Ośrodek SzkolnoWychowawczy dla Dzieci Niesłyszących i Słabosłyszących, Otwock Dom Pomocy Społecznej “Na Przedwiośniu”, Warsaw Mazowieckie Centrum Neurorehabilitacji i Psychiatrii, Zagórze Młodzieżowy Ośrodek Socjoterapii “Jędruś”, Józefów Specjalny Ośrodek Szkolno-WychowawczoRehabilitacyjny TPD „Helenów”, Warsaw Młodzieżowy Ośrodek Socjoterapii “Jędruś”, Józefów Specjalny Ośrodek Szkolno-Wychowawczy Nr 1, Otwock

Dom Pomocy Społecznej “Na Przedwiośniu”, Warsaw

1999

2000

2002

2003

Grant application

Volunteer

Sending country

Period of voluntary service*

Host organisation

Maria Rosa Garcia Loire

Spain

01.09.2003 - 31.08.2004

Pilar Contreras Fernandez Peinado

Spain

01.10.2003 - 31.08.2004

Młodzieżowy Ośrodek Socjoterapii “Jędruś”

Christina Hohlbein

Germany

01.09.2003 - 31.08.2004

Specjalny Ośrodek Szkolno-Wychowawczy Nr 1, Otwock

Sandra Felten

Germany

01.09.2003 - 31.08.2004

Mazowieckie Centrum Neurorehabilitacji i Psychiatrii, Zagórze

Anna Ravve

the Netherlands

01.02.2004 - 31.08.2004

Mazowieckie Centrum Neurorehabilitacji i Psychiatrii, Zagórze

Hannah Borgman

Germany

01.09.2003 - 31.08.2004

Barbara Wolf

Germany

01.09.2003 - 31.08.2004

Dom Pomocy Społecznej “Na Przedwiośniu”, Warsaw

Katleen Swinnen

Belgium

05.09.2003 - 30.06.2004

Maylis del Castillo Devillard

Spain

01.09.2003 - 31.08.2004

Claudia Bastuck

Germany

01.09.2003 - 31.08.2004

Specjalny Ośrodek Szkolno-Wychowawczy Nr 1, Otwock

Birgit Mayr

Germany

01.09.2002 - 31.08.2003

Ina Waldheim

Germany

01.09.2002 - 31.08.2003

Mazowieckie Centrum Neurorehabilitacji i Psychiatrii, Zagórze

Julia Lenzen

Germany

01.09.2002 - 31.08.2003

Christine Zacharias

Germany

01.09.2002 - 31.08.2003

Rocio Perez Urban

Spain

01.09.2002 - 31.08.2003

Laura Caballero del Olmo

Spain

01.09.2002 - 31.05.2003

Mari Carmen Gaspar Pallares

Spain

01.09.2002 - 31.05.2003

Anna Musioł

Ireland

01.09.2002 - 31.08.2003

Serena Baldari

Italy

01.02.2001 - 20.08.2001

Malcolm Urquhart

United Kingdom

01.02.2001 - 20.08.2001

Kornelia Kopf

Austria

07.02.2001 - 30.09.2001

Laetitia Linard

France

01.03.2001 - 01.10.2001

Julia Tyroller

Germany

01.03.2001 - 01.10.2001

Anke Hoyer

Germany

01.04.2001 - 30.11.2001

Sara Mazorra Huerta

Spain

26.06.2001 - 17.12.2001

Daniel Aaron Peacock

United Kingdom

15.10.1999 - 14.04.2000

OHP Gródek n/ Dunajcem

Sanna Uusitalo

Finland

15.10.1999 - 14.04.2000

OHP Gródek n/ Dunajcem

Ośrodek SzkolnoWychowawczy dla Dzieci Niesłyszących i Słabosłyszących, Otwock

Dom Pomocy Społecznej “Na Przedwiośniu”, Warsaw Młodzieżowy Ośrodek Socjoterapii “Jędruś” Ośrodek SzkolnoWychowawczy dla Dzieci Niesłyszących i Słabosłyszących, Otwock Centrum Zdrowia Dziecka, Warsaw

Młodzieżowy Ośrodek Socjoterapii “Jędruś”

* Actual or planned period of voluntary service in the case of SPW not being able to recover the factual data

chapter 4| 71

2. VOLUNTEERS SENT BY SPW FOR EVS PROJECTS

Let’s begin EVS chain reaction! | 72

Volunteer

From Poland to…

Service Period

2011

Bogna Sikora

Iceland

01.09.2011-01.09.2012

Olga Kuwał

Spain

07.09.2011-06.06.2012

Konrad Niemira

France

06.09.2011-06.09.2012

Małgorzata Malejko

Greece

06.09.2011-30.06.2012

Paulina Matuszewska

Serbia

07.07.2011-07.01.2012

Krystian Kukuczka

Czech Republic

06.09.2011-06.09.2012

Monika Charytonowicz

Germany

05.10.2011-05.09.2012

Zofia Dulska

Mexico

15.04.2011-15.10.2011

Magdalena Sztobryn

Turkey

01.11.2011-31.06.2012

2010

Agnieszka Socha

Czech Republic

17.05.2010-16.05.2011

Katarzyna Kwaśnik

Turkey

01.07.2010-31.08.2011

Natalia Pryszczepa

Ireland

07.07.2010-01.04.2011

Ewa Kowalska

Spain

01.09.2010-30.04.2011

Anna Dymek

France

31.08.2010-06.01.2011

Dagna Lewandowska

Bosnia & Herzegovina

01.09.2010-31.05.2011

Marta Nodzyńska

United Kingdom

04.10.2010-31.08.2011

Aneta Dawidziuk

Portugal

01.10.2010-30.06.2011

Mateusz Bąk

Russia

03.10.2010-28.02.2011

Aleksandra Czmiel

France

01.11.2010-30.07.2011

Urszula Kieżun

Germany

01.10.2010-30.09.2011

Justyna Woźniak

Germany

07.09.2010-06.08.2011

Lech Wróbel

Spain

07.01.2011-06.07.2011

Maciej Mechacki

United Kingdom

13.12.2010-30.08.2011

Anna Andrzejewska

France

15.02.2011-14.02.2012

Magdalena Nierodzik

Portugal

22.03.2011-21.09.2011

2009

Kamila Wiszniewska

France

22.02.2010-15.11.2010

Paulina Łakoma

Ghana

24.08.2010-24.05.2011

Aleksandra Kania

Bolivia

25.01.2010-25.07.2010

Barbara Tryszczyła

Spain

05.04.2010-05.11.2010

Ewa Żurakowska

Czech Republic

17.05.2009-17.05.2010

Dorota Poławska

United Kingdom

07.09.2009-30.07.2010

Olga Całka

Sweden

20.08.2009-20.08.2010

Joanna Choduń

Denmark

21.08.2009-31.05.2010

chapter 4| 73

2008

Ewa Chudobińska

Italy

09.01.2009-09.10.2009

Weronika Mościcka

Italy

02.03.2009-02.01.2010

Lidia Ułaszewska

Germany

16.02.2009-16.11.2009

Małgorzata Zubowicz

Czech Republic

23.07.2008-30.07.2009

Agnieszka Piasecka

Germany

01.09.2008-31.08.2009

Joanna Pasymowska

Spain

01.10.2008-31.07.2009

Ilona Jędrasik

Georgia

16.11.2008-15.06.2009

Magda Sobolewska

Turkey

31.10.2008-30.06.2009

Dorota Gadzinowska

Ghana

29.09.2008-29.06.2009

2007

Agata Zagórska

Mexico

05.09.2008-05.06.2009

Maciej Kokowski

Taiwan

16.09.2008-16.06.2009

Malwina Bakalarska

Nigeria

25.05.2008-25.08.2008

Kinga Ligowska

Lithuania

01.07.2007-31.08.2007

Magdalena Bolesta

Lithuania

01.07.2007-31.08.2007

Diana Jastrzębska

Dominican Republic

21.08.2007-21.05.2008

Sylwia Jędra

China

24.09.2007-24.06.2008

2006

Agnieszka Sikorska

Italy

06.09.2006-24.03.2007

Maciej Talaga

United Kingdom

06.05.2006-31.05.2006

Paulina Turkowska

United Kingdom

06.05.2006-31.05.2006

Agata Biernacka

United Kingdom

06.10.2006-31.08.2007

Kamila Skrzypulec

Serbia

23.09.2006-15.07.2007

Piotr Gil

Moldova

04.09.2006-04.06.2007

2005

Anna Dolińska

Bosnia & Herzegovina

11.10.2005-13.09.2006

2004

Milan Frankowski

Germany

01.05.2005-30.04.2006

Agata Frankowska

Italy

14.01.2005-16.11.2005

Anna Skłodowska

France

01.05.2004-31.01.2005

Ewa Karólewska

Italy

10.05.2004-10.11.2004

Katarzyna Barankiewicz

Italy

29.11.2004-02.06.2005

Marta Nojda

Italy

08.09.2004-10.03.2005

2003

Marta Al. Amin

United Kingdom

04.10.2003-31.08.2004

Agnieszka Marszycka

Italy

01.10.2003-30.04.2004

Lucyna Czwartos

United Kingdom

02.02.2004-03.11.2004

Let’s begin EVS chain reaction! | 74

2002

Dawid Kisielewicz

Germany

01.09.2002-31.08.2003

Edyta Augustyn

Germany

01.09.2002-31.08.2003

Katarzyna Kostynowicz

Germany

01.09.2002-31.08.2003

Agata Wolna

Germany

01.12.2002-31.05.2003

2001

Aleksy Lykhota

France

01.10.2001-01.10.2002

Tomasz Manelski

Germany

01.09.2001-31.08.2002

chapter 4| 75

Stowarzyszenie Promocji Wolontariatu Ul. Marszałkowska 24/26 lok.5 00-576 Warsaw Tel: 22 672 26 40 Fax: 22 211 20 80 www.spw.info.pl, spw@spw.info.pl Editors: Dorota Braziewicz, Marie Francard, Sylwia Jedra Proofreading: Szymon Kotas Graphic design: michalskie.com

The publication has been funded with the support from the European Commission. The publication reflects the opinions of its authors only and the European Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained herein.

Let’s begin EVS chain reaction! | 76