VOICES October

VoICes

ENGLISH

October

SHQIP

2018

Magazine for all young people in Macedonia

the PoWeR oF VolunteeRIng

Mental health FINLAND League of Nations

EDITORIAL

MONTH OF INSPIRATION

Октомври, Październik, Tetor, Lokakuu, Octubre, Oktoober, different names for one of the most diverse month in year. The month where the nature shows the last beauty before going to sleep for winter. We think we all felt the fresh wind that clears the air and made us pack away our summer clothes. So here we are, Voices is diverse just like October. With a team consisted of people from Macedonia, Poland, Estonia, Spain and Finland we are sharing with you our points of view for the things that surround us. This edition we talk a lot about what we can do for other people.

Aida, our former volunteer tells about her 10 months experience with Roma children in Shutka.

On the other side, we try to remind of ethic aspect of volunteering taking into consideration phenomena like voluntourism. What’s more, our VCS family became bigger, Selina, the new volunteer will share with you interesting stories about her beautifull homeland - Finland. For those interested in photography, we have interview with Spanish artist, Luis Alberto Serano. Like every month we review Erasmus+ projects, that we had a pleasure to participate, this time in Romania, Italy and our local one in Struga. We know that autumn can be also depressing so we want you to be aware of mental health and reminds you that there is nothing wrong in asking for help when you don’t feel okay. Let’s hope that each of you finds something thought provoking in this edition and you spend good time while reading. It’s perfect time to put your wool socks, make a warm cup of tea and enjoy the VOICES October magazine.

VCS Team

STAFF VCS DIRECTOR: Nikola Stankovski COORDINATORS: Andrej Naumovski Vafire Muharemi

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VOLUNTEERS: Paulina Gołębiowska Ann Aro Ana Fernández Hernández Madis-Siim Kull Selina Niemi

WRITERS: Jovana Naseva Andrej Naumovski Melisa Buqi Goran Galabov Nikolija Pehcevska Igor Pop Trajkov Aida Athmani

Translators: Goran Galabov

CONTACT: Volunteer Centre Skopje Emil Zola 3/3-1, 1000 Skopje Tel./Fax. +389 22 772 095 vcs_contact@yahoo.com www.vcs.org.mk https://voiceskopje.org

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P.26

TOPIC OF THE MONTH

4 Volunteer experience in Shutka - Aida 30 Volunteer experience in Shutka MKD - Aida

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REPORTAGE

6

Finland - Selina

8

Veles - Igor

10

ERAsMUS +

Opinion

18

Self portait - Igor

20

Volontourism - Paulina

22

Mental health - Ana

24

Reasons to be kind - Nikolija

26 INTERVIEW 26 Luis Alberto Serano - Madis

10

TC in Struga -

12

YE in Romania - Jovana and rest

Ann

14 TC in Sardinia ALB - Melisa 16

18

CONTENT

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TC in Sardinia MKD - Goran

28 Sport 28

League of Nations MKD- Andrej

VOICES - 3

ТЕМА НА МЕСЕЦОТ

Unforgettable experience with amazing children I did my volunteering in a Day Care Center for Children from Street in Shuto Orizari, Skopje.

Around 120 Roma children and teenagers are hosted there.

I

did my 10 months volunteering in a Day Care Center for Children from Street in Shuto Orizari, Skopje.

Around 120 Roma children and teenagers are hosted there.

For sure at the beginning, it seems to be easy.

Everything was new, culture, environment, country, people in my life. I needed time to adapt myself to this new environment and start learning basics of Macedonian language to be able to communicate with kids.

The language barrier was a problem because they did not speak English. At the beginning I was using the body language and my own SMILE. The honest smile can break a lot of barriers. The gestures and being friendly helped in overcoming this problem. When I went for the first time to the day care center I was surprised.

I had to work on myself, and to get adapted to this target group. Kids often tried to trick me so I had to learn how to filter information from them.

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They were from poor families so I was glad to see them coming every day to get some food, education (in center they could learn alphabet, math’s, art etc.) and of course to play games.

The activities with teenagers like making bracelets (I was asked to do bracelet every day!) and French classes which were funny I will always keep in my mind. My talks with some of the children brought me a lot of reflections. I shared with them my French lifestyle, experience and I gave them some advices. I tried to convince them about necessity of further education. Work with these adorable Roma kids was also life lesson to me. During volunteering programme you might develop deep relations with children, discover personal stories which make you think how lucky we are compared to them.

topic of the month

One of my favourite moment during 10 months was summer 4 days trip with the kids to Ohrid.

I have never seen such a happiness in the eyes of children. For most of them it was the first time to see Ohrid lake. They didn’t know how to swim but they easily found another way to have fun in the water. They were enjoying the sunshine and warm sand under their feet and it made them very happy.

When the kids are happy I am happy too.

After this kind of experience you have changed; about the way you live your own life; you see differently some minorities that before you knew nothing… Its the change in you.

I can ensure you that if you dare to go on the adventure abroad you will not regret it; you will come back with a desire to travel more and with beautiful memories in your mind.

As soon as possible, I would like to come back to Macedonia and visit again the children in Shutka.

What’s more, Balkan region is very surprising so I would be glad to discover more of this place.

“I speak not for myself but for those without voice…those who have fought for their rights… their rights to live in peace, their right to be treat with dignity, their right to equality of opportunity, their right to be educated” - Malala Yousafzai.

Each human being should have the right to get education that help a lot in the future life.

Aida Athmani

VOICES - 5

РЕПОРТАЖА

The land of thousands lakes and 3 million saunas “What kind of coffee do you drink in Finland?”

I

“Coffee” “But is it latte, cappuccino, macchiato or what?”

t’s just coffee. Year after year Finland is one of the biggest coffee drinking countries, even during our childhood we start practicing with little empty cups in a playhouse on our yard, with imaginary cookies, but with real company of our friends. We grow up, taste it for the first time, and even if it wasn’t so good, we start to have it, from light to dark filter coffee. Besides that, for me, when I think about my home country, first things to pop in to my mind are saunas, summer cottages and equality. For nonresidents: maybe Nokia, cold weather, Kimi Räikkonen, heavy metal...

And we have all of those things.

Take a tour through the now 100 years independent country, home of 5,4 million people:

You’re walking in the beautiful capital of Finland, centre of Helsinki, in a nice sunny afternoon. It’s already middle of the summer, you will survive with your shorts and a t-shirt, since its 25 degrees. Nice warm wind is playing with your hair when you walk past old stone buildings, you see how drivers appreciate local driving rules and speed limits, and when the lights turn green at the zebra crossing, you can safely cross even if your eyes are staring at your phone. It might be a little weird how people are walking really fast when there’s no hurry, how everybody keeps some distance from each other and only talk if there’s something to say. So here you meet our first friend from Finland, “Personal Space”.

When you go out with your friends, usually it’s enough just so say “Hi” (Moi), and go grab a beer, or chilly cold apple cider from bar a down the street. If it’s too early or you are having lunch break around noon, a better choice is to enjoy a warm cup of coffee or tea.

Public transport is always running. Choose a metro, bus, tram, train, or city bikes, everything works with one ticket. It doesn’t matter, where you live in Helsinki, you can always find your way to the sea, nature reserves parks, forests to enjoy fresh air, or go to the centre to see all the museums, churches, outside markets…

Even in the center you can take your cold drinks, picnic food and go to the park with your friends, and continue there to the night life in Helsinki. When the clock turns midnight, you will see the whole city with different

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eyes, there’s music, talking, dancing, people are making new friends, hugging and smiling. Here’s another one of our friends, the alcohol culture that bring us closer together.

REPORTAGE When it’s midsummer in June, you can find how Finns packing their cars and driving a couple hours to the summer cottage to spent a long weekend there with friends and family. One point of view, the best way to spend your midsummer is there, usually without electricity, running water or other comforts.

You’re going prepare your food in a grill, maybe even a campfire, ranging from different meats, smoked salmon, salads, grilled vegetables, and always with a fresh batch of new potatoes. Sometimes even from your own ground if you’re lucky enough.

Enjoy your drinks, play some Finnish game called a mölkky.

There’s a saying that Finland is a country of thousands lakes, and usually you can expect to heat up the sauna in the evening, run to the lake to swim and enjoy the sunset.

Sauna, our best friend, is a big part of the culture. There you can step out of your comfort zone and share the sauna with your naked friends and family. The oldest sauna dates back to the bronze age, (1500–900 BCE.), when you had a hole in the ground with a pile of stones.

The idea was to heat up the stones, throw in water, and the steam would heat up the whole hut. It’s basically how it has continued from there to these days. Sauna is a necessity to most of the Finnish people, after all, we take the honor of inventing it. Nowadays you go there to relax, but through the history it has been used by mothers to give birth, medicate sick people and wash up deceased ones.

You can find Saunas almost everywhere, in apartments, public swimming halls and even in some work places, but the best one is always in your summer cottage, heated with wood. There you can step outside from the heat (löyly) to chill out, even if it’s winter when you can roll in the snow. Oh winters, remembering the days when there were lot of snow, over -20 degrees, red cheeks and thick clothes. It has changed a bit like the climates changing globally, but you can still experience that, especially if you go to Lapland. Land of Santa Claus, reindeers, winter sports and amazing views across Finland’s nature.

Did you know, that in 1906, Finland was the first European country that gave the women’s right to vote?

That heritage is to be cherished, when it comes to human rights. Equality is an important subject, and it

has been improving more and more through the years.

As a citizen of Finland, from the first day you were born, you start to notice the equality. Government has given layettes to mothers for free since 1938, it contains the first important things for a baby like clothes and blankets. You grow up in a day care centre, age 7 you start your free public school for the next 9 years. After that you can start your studies in college, vocational school or university without huge student loans or tuitions. You will always have a right to choose who you want to be, what you want to do in life.

It doesn’t matter who you will fall in love with, since in 2017 Finland gave right to same sex marriages, as a big step toward to equal rights for everyone.

Tip if you’re going to travel to this Nordic country some day, be open minded and spread your smile to Finnish people, explore different parts of nature, enjoy this culture where you find to appreciate your own time and silence. And always, always remember to taste some salmiakki (hard, salty, black candy), and rye bread.

And if you’re brave enough, you can fulfill the Finnish stereotype: “Drink vodka in the sauna, run out naked to roll down in the cold snow yelling PERKELE.” (Perkele means devil in modern Finnish and is a popular, strong profanity, especially used in this stereotype).

Selina Niemi

VOICES - 7

РЕПОРТАЖА

Veles - City that is Rich with Architectural Beauty and Historical Heritage When the greatest American composer Philip Glass had his concert in Skopje, at sometime between the millenniums, the presenter Vanessa Redgrave said: “I always come here with my mum, to cry. You have zhivot skotski (life as a dog). You have Lenka.”.

This great actress (Vanessa Redgrave won the life-achievement award

at the Venice film festival this year) wanted to paraphrase our poet Kosta Racin and his poem Lenka, referring to her Scottish origin, because on Macedonian the phrase Scottish life means life as a dog. This famous Macedonian poet was born in Veles. He was desperately in love with the beautiful Raca, although he almost never met her. He took her name and replaced it with his family name- Solev. This is just one anecdote from the rich historical background the city of Veles has.

The other famous thing is connected with its position on the river of Vardar. Once the merchandising could be done only by water, there was a group of people that were trafficking on a boat on a relation SkopjeThessaloniki-Skopje. They were called Gemidgii. But they were famous due to their capability to smuggle enormous amounts of arms in the then powerful Ottoman Empery. They used the arms later for fighting the Turkish enslavement. Namely this city had a very reach bourgeois class of Valach nationality. Their children were usually educated in the great Western Universities; such was for e.g. the University of Lausanne.

The Macedonian revolutionaries would kidnap these children and ask money for ransom. Than with this money they were buying those arms.

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REPORTAGE As you may see on these photographs, today this is a very modern but picturesque city which architecture is combination of the old tradition and the latest modernist trends in the urban designing. What adjoins the city its photogenic appeal is the train railway that passes through it and the hanging bridge. The local environmentalists are proud of their achievements since this city used to be much polluted. But what perhaps contributed mostly for making Veles famous worldwide were the scandalous reports of some of the best information agencies in the world that were covering the events during the last presidential election in USA. They were about the sites that were producing fake news and became globally very influential. What strikes me personally is that these sites existed and before. Plus they were also very influential and famous previously of this period. But anyway some local entrepreneurs knew how to use this for tourist marketing.

However this city endures its historical importance for Macedonia and the region due to its rich cultural heritage.

The reason why there are so many important local historical figures that were born here is that, as I already said- it used to be a very rich place. The first Macedonian theatre ever was built in it. Veles is also the home of the first Macedonian actress, civil library, high-school, music school and museum- as it has artifacts that are expanding from the time of Paleolithic era.

Author of the text and photographer: Igor Pop Trajkov

VOICES - 9

ЕРАЗМУС+

STUDY VISIT “EVS as one more step toward INCLUSION”

1-9th of September Macedonia hosted the second part of the study visit called “EVS as one more step toward INCLUSION”. The nine -day visit included visiting many associations and NGOs around Macedonia, to give the participants an opportunity to make contacts for future endeavours.

As the project started we had the first energizers to

get to know each other and to do some team building.

One of the funniest exercise was “mission impossible” which seemed not doable at first but in the end we managed to finish all the tasks. Just finishing that exercise showed that the participants worked well together. The team even managed to put together a an them for the project. Another task was to give yourself a code name, It was fun and people had a chance to be creative. When in Skopje of course we had to have a cultural walk around the town to show the participants the city.

In general the group was very diverse, with participants from 9 countries: Macedonia, Romania, Bulgaria, Slovakia, Estonia, Italy, Croatia, Turkey and Poland. It gave an opportunity to have a wider view on what is going on in Europe. By wider view I don’t mean only for the participants, but also the Macedonian NGOs as the group shared some ideas and vice versa.

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For the first few days The Group had a chance to meet NGOs and associations around Skopje. To start of the group had a visit from Macedonian National Agency.

After that it was time to go around Skopje and visit Macedonian Agency for Sport and Youth, Sumnal association in Shutka, VCS, VO MOJOT SVET, Center for youth activism KRIK / КРИК, LEGIS and Macedonian Montessori Association. It was very inspirational few days. The participants had a chance to meet many organizations that worked with disadvantaged youth, refugees, children and various other topics.

After staying in Skopje for couple of days it was time to hit the road and see what other NGOs are up to in Macedonia. The first stop was in Kumanovo, where we visited NGO CID MULTI-CULTI Center.

It was great to see an active NGO that has an interesting approach on hosting EVS volunteers. They try to be as open as possible with hosting volunteers.

ERASMUS+ Even if a volunteer does not speak English very well they try to host them in pairs. So that one would be more advanced in english and could help the other. In that way low level of English does not stop you from participating EVS. It was also great to have an discussion about how to reach children from rural areas and how to include the parents more.

Second destination was Prilep where we visited Youth Council Prilep and Youth information center. The Youth information center works together with SEGA. SEGA has been active 19 years and they have established two centers in Prilep and Kavadarci.

Last but not the least we visited Bitola where we had a chance to meet two NGOs YMCA which was established in United Kingdom and was one of the first NGOs. These days it’s widely spread organization that operates in 119 countries. The second NGO in Bitola that the team met was SFERA. The Organization puts its main effort in ecology and topics related to nature.

After that the participants were guided around Bitola to see and gain some knowledge about the city.

After arriving in Struga the participants were divided in teams according to their country. The main idea was to continue on what they already started at the first part of the project in Split. Which was how to apply for EVS accreditation for a NGO. In Struga the participants had to take it one step further and start thinking of an idea to apply for an EVS or training project. In the evening all the teams had a chance to introduce their counties at a cultural night. We had some quizzes, powerpoints, videos, dances and a lot of food from all of the countries. In general it was rather informative evening.

For example we learned what would the world without Romania be like and European Union vs Italien way.

Following few intense days traveling and visiting a lot of organizations, the group had a chance to visit Ohrid.

The city is well known for its history, old churches (365 to be exact) and touristic sceneries. After coming back to the hotel without losing anybody there were still time for a dinner. This time our hosts took us to a traditional Macedonian restoran. The food was great accompanied with live Balkan music.

The final day started with NGO Fair, it gave the participants a chance to represent their organizations and presentations of the project. Presentations were mostly either EVS projects, training courses or Youth exchanges. As the main idea of the project was to find partners and develop a project with your NGO. It was great to see that some cooperation was already established between Participants and NGOs. Estonians had an idea to cooperate with VCS (Volunteer Center Skopje) for their EVS project. Polish and Bulgarian participant joined in writing a project. Since the project trainers Gjoko and Duby had a lot of experience in writing projects the participants had amazing chance to get some tips and tricks to improve their ideas and formal part of things.

Last but not least a big thank you for Duby and Gjoko for this project, and not to forget the wonderful team Meri, Milena and all the participants.

Ann Aro

VOICES - 11

ЕРАЗМУС+

Connecting cultures & building friendships “Understanding languages and other cultures builds bridges. It is the fastest way to bring the world closer together and to Truth. Through understanding, people will be able to see their similarities before differences.” - Suzy Kassem,” Rise Up and Salute the Sun: The Writings of Suzy Kassem”

From 01.09.2018 to 14.09.2018 a group of participants from “Volunteers Center Skopje”, led by Jovana Naseva and

Stefan Kechovski took part in the youth exchange project “Connecting Cultures & Building Friendships” in Craiova, the sixth largest city in Romania. The goal of the project was to promote the battle against discrimination, as well as promoting the active citizenship in the local community. It was also opportunity to make friendships with people with different backgrounds via non-formal education and getting to know the key concept of the Erasmus+ programme. The project was organized by the Romanian organization “ANDCTR”, and the participants were from Macedonia, Georgia and Jordan. The Macedonian team consisted of 10 participants and 2 team leaders.

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ERASMUS+

We started the project with different activities in order to get to know the Romanian team better.

In these activities, we included the promotion of “Volunteers Center Skopje”, and we learned about how “ANDCTR” works. The intercultural night was a part of the program, where we had a chance to present traditional Macedonian dishes, dances and music.

We also got to know the Romanian tradition and culture, and we found out that our cultures are really similar. For us the main goal of this project was to get familiar with the terms “discrimination” and “positive discrimination”, using non-formal methods of learning. As a result of the workshops, we created a flash mob in the city center, and the scene was filled with promotional material that we created.

During these 14 days, we had the opportunity to explore the city of Craiova and its landmarks, such as the Botanical Garden and one of the top 5 national parks in Europe- the “Nicolae Romanescu” park. We also had free time which we used to visit the museum of natural sciences and the art museum. One day we spent to the aqua-park as well.

In the end of this youth exchange, we received “YouthPass” certificates, and this ceremony was followed by a party. But, everything that is nice is often short lasting. Even though we all came back to our countries, we will stay in contact with new friends with the help of social media platforms.

Nikola Angelkovski David Stoilkovski Aleksandra Miteva Andrej Veljanovski Marija Ivanovska Dejan Milosheski Elena Najdova Jane Apostoloski Diellza Bilalli Aleksandar Lazev

VOICES - 13

ЕРАЗМУС+

Itinerari Agro - Turistik për Ndryshim të Qëndrueshëm Nga 6 deri 12 qershor, në Pejë u mbajt një shkëmbim i të rinjve me temën “Itinerari AgroTuristik për Ndryshim të Qëndrueshëm”, ku morën pjesë përfaqësues nga katër vende si Kosova, Maqedonia, Spanja, Italia dhe Shqipëria.

P

rojekti synoi të rrisë agro-turizmin si një nxitës për punësimin e të rinjve, solidaritetin social dhe qëndrueshmërinë mjedisore në komunitetet rurale në Evropë dhe në Ballkanin Perëndimor përmes forcimit të bazës së kompetencave dhe rrjetëzimit të OJQ-ve rinore dhe operatorëve, të rinjve dhe lokal palët e interesuara në fushën e zgjidhjeve të qëndrueshme agro-turizëm.

Njëzet e katër punonjës të të rinjve morën pjesë në aktivitete që përqendrohen në ofrimin e pjesëmarrësve me njohuri, metodologji për të shpërndarë në nivel lokal shkathtësitë dhe qëndrimet e nevojshme për të filluar bizneset agroturizëm në mesin e të rinjve në zonat rurale.

Së bashku me organizatat partnere kemi ndjekur kurse trajnimi, aktivitete lokale.

Puna që e bënim në grupe na ndihmoji që ta njihnim njëri tjetrin më mirë dhe të flasim për njohuritë , aftësitë që i kishim.

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ERASMUS+ Ky projekt ishte një mundësi e mirë dhe shumë e dobishme. Pavarësisht nga trajnimi në fushën e fushës së biznesit, na mësoi shumë edhe për aspekte tona personale apo mendore. Trajnimi në këtë projekt ishte i lehtë, por sfidues në disa aspekte të tilla si termat apo praktikat e biznesit, por ndihmat mentore u përpoqën të na ndihmonin sa herë që duhej. Ne mësojmë shumë gjëra të tilla si përgjegjësitë tona që kemi në shoqërinë tonë dhe faktin se ne mund të bëjmë shumë më tepër sesa po bëjmë tani.

Së pari ne u përpoqëm me të vërtetë shumë me lojëra për ti mësuar për të kujtuar emrat e të tjerëve.

Gjatë këtij projekti mësuam për kushtet e jetesës së të rinjve nga të tjerët vendet përparësitë dhe disavantazhet që ata kanë, sa aktiv janë ata në nivel lokal, rajonal dhe kombëtar.

Përfundimisht kemi pasur vlerësimin tonë përfundimtar ku poashtu kemi marrë certifikatat tona. Ishte një eksperiencë e mrekullueshme ku përveq njohurive, përvojave që i kemi marrë gjithashtu kemi takuar njerëz me kultura, opinione të ndryshme ku ende vazhdojmë të kontaktojmë.

Një faleminderim i veqantë i takon organizatës “Volunteer Center Skopje “që na dha mundësinë të marrim pjesë në këtë projekt ku na mbetën shumë momente të paharrueshme.

Ne kishim organizuar netë interkulturore përmes të cilave pjesëmarrësit e projektit mund të prezantonin vendet e tyre.

Një nga gjërat më të rëndësishme në këtë projekt ishte vënë idetë tona në veprim duke krijuar biznesin tonë, ne kemi qenë në gjendje të bëjmë një plan të madh për të ndërtuar një biznes të suksesshëm dhe fitimprurës.

Faza e dytë ishte se çdo person duhet të ishte kreativ për shembull për të ndërtuar marrëdhënie me audiencën përmes postës ose mediave sociale, për të promovuar produktet tona duke përdorur video të drejtpërdrejta etj. Gjithkush prej nesh ndau kontekstin e tij të punës, të cilin disa prej tyre ishin të ngjashëm, disa prej tyre të ndryshëm. Ne gjithashtu ishim më të vetëdijshëm për vlerat etike që njerëz nga vende të tjera kanë.

Në ditët e fundit kemi pasur një vizitë studimore në fshatin Reka e Allages (Rugova) ku kemi pasur darkë tradicionale.

Melisa Buqi

VOICES - 15

ЕРАЗМУС+

ЛЕТНА ПРИКАЗНА ОД САРДИНИЈА

Знаев однапред каде одам и со кого ќе работам...

Сардинија беше веројатно моето најдобро искуство досега. Остров кој е толку див и предизвикувачки но сепак пријателски и опуштени луѓе. Некои од најчудесните изгреј сонца и бескрајни залези можеа да се видат овде што привлекува многу луѓе од цела Европа. Карпести планини и морето од спротивната страна создаваат совршен контраст доколку не можеш да се одлучиш што повеќе сакаш. И се разбира, нашите домаќини, Мине Ваганти асоцијацијата, вредни и секогаш ангажирани како тим, секогаш со извонредни идеи и решенија, едни од најдобрите партнери за соработка на мојот Волонтерски Центар Скопје. Тренингот што требаше да започне беше логично и очекувано продолжение, втор дел од проект во два дела што обедини учесници од Шпанија, Италија, Македонија, Србија, Косово и Албанија за агро-туристичко претприемништво, во совршена средина да се видат најдобрите практични примери и да се слушне за локалните успешни приказни на оваа тема.

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И сеуште се свежи сеќавањата од мојот последен престој таму како и моето омилено знаме на Сардинија кое гордо стои на мојот ФБ профил од тоа време. Се укажуваше на едно неверојатно доживување и сосема нови вештини да се научат па дури и превозот со автобус што го одбравме да стигнеме таму, патувајќи низ неколку земји претставуваше предизвик сам за себе, повик на авантура, тим билдинг и културни посети. Започнавме од Македонија продолжувајќи го патувањето низ Србија, Хрватска, потоа Словенија и конечно Италија. Споделувавме се што еден тим може да сподели: храната и пијалоците, приказните и искуствата, насмевките и најдобрите практики. Се качивме на ноќниот поморски брод што се обраќаше од копното до Сардинија каде пристигнавме рано наутро, токму навреме за волшебното изгрејсонце над Golfo Aranci пристаништето па потоа посета на градот Олбија, на денот на пристигнување пред официјалноиот почеток на активностите.

ERASMUS+

Нашето место на престој Porto Conte како и нашето сместување беа повеќе од очекуваното: мало селце покрај брегот и плажата каде потоа изведувавме утринска Јога и протегнување, во куќата на Стефано и неговото семејство, многу познат лик од Сардинија кој поминал 95 земји низ светот на неговиот велосипед. А за работилниците што ги одржавме ни беше доделен простор во локалниот музеј за флора и фауна. Во следните седум дена работевме напорно во таква средина со различни националности за да дојдеме до извонредни идеи за претприемништво, креирање на бизнис план, вмрежување и презентации зајакнувајќи ги нашите вештини и здобивајќи се со нови, како што беше и очекувано. И се разбира, не заборававме да уживаме и да се забавуваме во текот на работата, со прошетки, истражувајќи ја околината и пробувајќи ги локалните специјалитети приготвени за нас од нашиот домаќин Стефано. Ние практично бевме таму надвор во дивина, со секојдневни блиски средби со диви магариња и диви свињи на кои тука им беше природното живеалиште. Само да се спомене и посетата и оцена на работата што ја извршувавме на Capo Caccia, едно од најпознатите места за набљудување на неверојатниот залез на сонцето, кое чиниш трае бескрајно.

Со подршката на одличниот логистички тим на нашите домаќини ја извршивме секоја задача што си ја поставивме пред нас што се однесува до тренингот но исто така добивме и значајни насоки кој пат да го избереме за враќање назад дома и што е вредно да се види и посети. Места како Porto Ferro, Castelsardo, Porto Cervo, Porto Pollo и други на нашиот пат навистина беа нешто што мораше да се посети. И ноќната поморска линија не врати назад на италијанското копно на денот на заминувањето. И посета на Ливорно и регионот на Тоскана пред да го фатиме патот за дома. Моите пријатели и тимски колеги беа импресионирани од целокупното доживување што Сардинија ни го овозможи. Тие сите имаат приказни за раскажување, искуства за споделување. А за мене тоа беше уште едно брилијатно поглавје од веројатно најпрекрасното место во моето срце што некогаш сум го посетил. И го оставам ете така, отворено, зошто знам дека пак ќе се навратам тука. Тоа е мојата прекрасна Сардинија.

Горан Галабов

VOICES - 17

МИСЛЕЊЕ

The Freedom of Expression is What Matters to me the Most

Although he is one of the most prolific writers Igor Pop Trajkov is almost unknown in Macedonia. The reason(s)

for this he finds in the fact that he is one of the rare ones that openly opposed the ruling oligarchy of the writers that still rules in this country and was established in the time of communism. He didn’t want to join them but openly attacked them for the things they did. Namely this oligarchic elite is established on the grounds of political loyalty and plagiarism, not quality. This was many times stated in the foreign publications and press but not here.

Igor Pop Trajkov doesn’t origin from the many oligarchic writing cradles in Macedonia, but from the Eurotrash movement and from something that officially doesn’t even exist which is Theater Left.

At the beginning of the nineties he founded the literature club Little Prince which gave birth of many of the today’s best Macedonian writers. But the sponsors withdraw since they thought that Pop Trajkov included too many female writers in his editorial and that the published material in the booklet was generally indecent.

At the beginning of the 2000’s he became local editor of the EU sponsored e-site (through Mobilitas) Local Minds.

The EU commission than find out that in the countries of this region are published unworthy writers and vice versa; the aim of this project was this to be changed. Again in this editorial started perhaps the best generation of writers, but unfortunately unlike in the other countries of this region the project was unsustainable. When the project stopped, the bad publishing continued.

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OPINION

This writer’s opus consists of 30 plays (the first play he wrote on age of 16), 2000 pages of verses, stories, essays, theoretic papers, journalism, actually all sorts of literature; particularly popular are his interviews with some internationally famous people from the world of film and literature.

He was able to acquire them since he knows 8 living and 3 dead languages. That’s why he could do translations on his mother tongue but on English as well of some of the best contemporary writers worldwide.

He was the only non-American that entered the screenplay-writing competition for the project GreenLight (maintained by Ben Affleck and Matt Damon); he was in the official selection of the poetry competition Viagi di Versi, and selected for publication in the project Il Mio Libro maintained by Feltrinelli.

Igor Pop Trajkov regularly participates at the Contest for the European Short Story. Many internationally big names and production houses showed interest for his plays. He is translated on Italian, English, Croatian, Bulgarian, Albanian… Unfortunately due to afore mentioned reasons big part of his authorial creation was stolen or re-authored by the others as plagiarism.

One month ago he published his third versecollection - for the publishing house Makedonika “Bay in the Night”. He actively participates in many public debates. One of his latest interviews - the one with Robb Montgomery - was quoted as a final sentence at “Amanpour.” on CNN. This was on the day of the media and the quote was “A good journalist is the one who will persevere and when odds are against him.”

Igor Pop Trajkov

VOICES - 19

МИСЛЕЊЕ

Volontourism: Helping or Harming?

W

hen I was looking for my EVS (European Voluntary Service) I considered all volunteering opportunities.

If you type phrase “volunteering abroad” in Google, you will find plenty of organizations that can offer you weekly/ monthly volunteering trips to exotic and developing countries. It’s getting trendier to spend summer by working with the children in need or help wild animals. Usually intentions of people are pure, they really want to make something good for local communities but in past year’s we can observe of phenomena that combines tourism and volunteering – Volontourism.

Before going on any voluntary programme it’s good to ask yourself question about ethical aspect of this travel. Am I really going to help or it’s just for 4 or 8 weeks adventure for me?

If my action would not support pathological movements like orphan business? If a few weeks of volunteering does really make sense or it can bring harm to host communities?

Nowadays volontourism is kind of industry that involves travelers who work with local communities in developing countries.

You don’t need to be part of any NGO to go abroad; there are already many companies who can organize whole trip for you.

You don’t need to have also any work experience or specific knowledge connected to area of volunteering. What is required then?

You should know English on communicative level and pay really high fee (up to few thousand dollars per month), sometimes you are obliged to cover flight costs on your own. The rest of expenses (accommodation, food) are provided but which amount of the payment goes to hosting organization usually it’s not known.

Every year a few millions people use this way of travelling. The most common projects are about working in orphanages, farms, teaching English or restoring buildings. When it comes to destination, the top places are developing countries like India, Cambodia, Ethiopia, Nepal, Ghana, Uganda etc. The idea of volunteering is beautiful but it starts to remind of business which has also some dark side.

Especially volunteering in orphanage is ethically dubious. This kind of activity is criticized by UNICEF or Save The Children, organizations which actively work on rights of children.

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OPINION In the report made by UNICEF they refer that in Cambodia the number of children given away to orphanages increased about 75%. What is terrifying, less than 30% of these children are genuine orphans. It means that children have at least one living parent. Unfortunately, families are often manipulated that children would have better educational chances in orphanages provided by foreigner volunteers. “Teachers” often don’t have any pedagogical background and rotation of volunteers might cause serious emotional disorders. Many specialists pay attention to the fact that children need professional and local tutors who will work with them for long time.

Using volunteers as teachers only deprive the work for local people and increase unemployment. According to proposition of United Nations to modify the care system of orphanages and put more emphasis on surrogate families, adoption and intensive pedagogical help already in families, in many European countries, USA or Australia the number of traditional orphanages significantly decreased. Differently than in developing countries where new children’s houses are still established and often kids are separated from parents. It happens that after being sent to orphanage documents are falsified and identities of children are changed. Later on, it’s really difficult for parents to track their babies.

Especially in popular destinations children are being treated like tourist attractions. Even tourists within organized tours can visit and take photos with kids. Often they leave donations or presents so for owners of these orphanages it’s a way to earn some money. Unfortunately, this phenomena cause also financial malpractice like corruption.

There are some reports which admit that some of orphanages were run as profit – making business and they get profits from volunteers as well as from tourists. However, the living condition in orphanages is still low and essential needs of children are not covered. Needless to say those children are in risk of abuse.

Popularity of volontourism cause that for volunteering brokers it’s hard to check the credibility of hosting organizations. That’s why it should be also in interest of potential volunteer to make accurate research for finding proper project. Going to exotic country is tempting vision but always we should think if our actions will not bring any harm. Maybe instead of working with children, you could help organizations who try to re-connect children from orphanages with their families? Or make financial donation to reliable NGO that actions in place would be more apply to local needs? Or maybe try to be volunteers in your place of living to find out if voluntary work suits to you?

So how you can find responsible project? Look for organization that is transparent and have good opinion in local community, check their accomplishments and financial reports. Avoid random places with negative opinions; they usually are tourist-oriented. Long term projects will bring more goods – first you need time to adapt yourself in new environment and if you really want to change something few weeks might be not enough. Look for project in which you will not replace professional worker, being teacher assistant for example would bring more profits.

Consider your competences according to type of programme, think how you can contribute to organization and discuss this. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, decision about going volunteering should be studied and reasonable.

Volunteering is beautiful thing and really can bring positive impact on societies but it’s even more beautiful when it is aware.

Paulina Gołębiowska

Based on: http://zanimpomozesz.pl/jak-wyjechac/jak-znalezc-odpowiedzialny-projekt/ http://zanimpomozesz.pl/wolonturystyka/problematyka-wolontariatow-zagranicznych/ http://zanimpomozesz.pl/wolonturystyka/mity-o-wolonturystyce/ http://zanimpomozesz.pl/praca-z-dziecmi/dzieci-beneficjenci-ofiary/

VOICES - 21

МИСЛЕЊЕ

THE GIGANT IN OUR MINDS

P

eople tend to worry a lot about our health. We go periodically to medical controls, we take pills if something hurts and we go to the doctor when we are sick but… what about our mental health?

The World Health Organization defines Mental Health as “a state of well-being in which the individual is aware of his or her own abilities, can face the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully and is able to make a contribution to the community “. Statistically one out of every 4 people will suffer mental health problems throughout their life, which is a really high rate, taking into account the care provided in public health systems.

It is perhaps the lack of psychologists, psychiatrists, psychiatric nurses and social workers that are some of the main obstacles that prevent offering treatment and care in low and middle income countries. Low-income countries have an average of 0.05 psychiatrists per 100,000 inhabitants.

It is estimated that around 20% of children and adolescents in the world have disorders or mental problems. Depression is the biggest cause of mental health illness among young people. Improving social skills, ability to solve problems and self-confidence can help prevent some mental health problems and even today most schools do not support the self-knowledge of individuals or the basic interpersonal and soft skills to have an adult satisfactory life. Considering these data, it should not be surprising that suicide is the second cause of death among youngsters 15-29 years old.

Each year more than 800,000 people commit suicide and there are indications that for every adult who commits suicide there are more than 20 who try.

There is a great variety of mental disorders, each of them with different manifestations. In general, they are characterized by a combination of disturbances of thought, perception, emotions, behaviour and relationships with others. Depression is a frequent mental disorder and one of the leading causes of disability worldwide. It affects more than 300 million people worldwide (especially women).

22 - VOICES

OPINION The patient with depression loses the ability to enjoy, self-esteem and interest in things. Jennifer from Colombia (depression ex patient) explained for the BBC “The solution was to seek psychological help, take refuge in my family, play sports, read and doing activities, I began to know and interact with more people because you shut yourself and the abyss is made much larger”. Mike suffered a severe depression and explains that “apart from everything that involves the disease, there is little understanding and understanding of people’s illness towards the depressed person”.

We will agree that even in the XXI century depression and mental problems are still taboos. There is a great stigmatization and ignorance regarding mental illnesses both for society and for the patients themselves.

There are people who suffer from these problems and still refuse to go to specialists denying their emotional symptoms.

Where does this rejection come from? From my point of view, this is like that because especially media tend to demonize mental illnesses, paying attention only when they are part of negative news. “The suspect was taking antidepressants” or “The murderer was bipolar” are habitual holders in the newspapers and news programs, which encourage misinformation and harmful stereotypes about the sick. Nobody would consider it relevant to highlight that the protagonist of the news suffered from pneumonia or took analgesics. With this type of descriptions filling the public imagination, it is normal that most people who suffer from these disorders prefer to keep them secret.

There is still a long way to go in the treatment and approach of these diseases. Encouraging information to avoid stigmatization, changes the way to address them in health systems or promote their social acceptance are just some of the steps to start. All to remember once again that mental illnesses are as disease as physical diseases and, therefore, must be spoken, studied, treated and supported in the same way.

Ana Fernandez Hernandez Data in: http://www.who.int/features/factfiles/mental_health/mental_health_facts/es/

VOICES - 23

МИСЛЕЊЕ

Reasons to be kind “When autumn darkness falls, what we will remember are the small acts of kindness: a cake, a hug, an invitation to talk, and every single rose. These are all expressions of a nation coming together and caring about its people.”

Jens Stoltenberg

Y

ou might wonder what idea stands behind this title, I will try to explain my point of view and I hope it will bring you some thoughts too.

I’ve been on this planet only for 17 years, which actually isn’t that long. It is also said that my time here is timed, so sometimes I get this feeling of fear and worry, and often don’t know where it comes from.

But I have learnt that having someone to share our feelings, emotions and thoughts with, regardless of them being good or bad, is the best thing that could ever happen to ourselves. And not only that, it also makes us feel like we are a somebody too.

Sadly there are people, who don’t get a chance to experience this type of human interaction.

It happens often because they have been rejected before or have been told that feelings just don’t matter at all. It gives enough time to close themselves for another people. Knowing this, I get angry and mad, but I also search for answers and solutions, because I want to make a change.

“No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted” Aesop

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OPINION I am writing today, because just an hour ago, for the first time since long time people were kind to me, without any selfish intentions.

To be honest, I still believe that I could almost reach the stars, and it made me realize that the tool I had been searching for a very long time is right there in me, in you and everyone else around us.

So here it goes. There isn’t any specific or astonishing reason to treat others with kindness and love, it’s just something that comes natural to us. Unfortunately we are so busy being afraid, that we forget the reason why we are even here in the first place. A small act of kindness could make someone’s day or maybe even save someone’s life and I know that. There is nothing else that keeps me going more than when my body and mind find peace by interacting with the waves from someone else’s heart.

Keep being You, let go off whatever is stopping you from opening yourself up to your nature. And who knows, maybe one day, together we will reach the stars.

“For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone.”

Audrey Hepburn

VOICES - 25

интервју

The hidden stories behind the images Last year I had a chance to participate as a photographer in interesting project.

One day when I was playing international online photography game “Gurushot”, I was contacted by Spanish guy Luis Alberto Serrano. He wished to write a short story for one of my photos. I agreed. Recently he contacted me again and gave me a good news that he got a photo-book deal. Because it was royalty free project, he had decided to donate all the profits from the book sale to “EDUCA NEPAL”, an organization that saves Nepali’s children from human trafficking. He wrote to me to ask if I am still on board. Hell yes, of course was my answer. Since I had the chance to work for the magazine Voices, I decided to condensate interview with Luis Alberto Serrano. About the project “Photo + Story” and the charity it supports.

Tell me bit about yourself.

I have a degree in Audiovisual Realization and Shows.

I always wanted to fulfill my dream of making movies.

I started making award-winning short films at some festivals and I specialized in screenwriting. Over time, I continued with performing arts projects and directed two Musicals. After this stage in the scenarios I thought I needed some time for myself and create a project.

The idea have been in my head for years: write a novel. That’s what I do now, combining it with the “Photo + Story” project in which I write short stories with photographs sent to me by photographers from all over the world.

How did you even came up with idea to write stories on photos that inspire you?

Writing a novel, especially if you are a beginner, is a very hard task. I decided that for the days when I didn’t have my head ready to get into the skin of the characters, I should have an escape route to oxygenate myself.

This is how the idea of writing short stories was born. One thing I could write in a day and that same day publish it.

On the other hand, from the Nadieshda International Cultural collective to which I belong, we have always wanted to generate synergies with artists from other countries. We have been teaching film and theater workshops in three continents and this occasion was good to contact photographers from different parts of the world with whom to share a project and, over time, a friendship. That’s the way it is, which I appreciate very much.

How do you pick the photos you write stories about?

I do not choose the photos. Actually, what I choose are photographers. I move well through social networks and I see a lot of photography. When I like the style or intentions of some of the pictures, I get in touch. From there, it is the photographer himself who has to select the photo he wants to send me. The project is that I have to invent from the photo, so I can’t choose the photo that fits my story. It is the opposite. It is the story that has to be adapted to the photo.

How does your creative process work?

Once I receive the photographer’s photo, the first thing is to decode it. See what little elements there are that serve me as pieces for my story. Normally, in each photo I usually discover between 5 and 8 words that are hidden among the visual elements.

With those words, I sit down in my chair and begin to compose the story. Also, sometimes, the photo style defines the style of the story. Sometimes I write a story, sometimes a reflection. I like that of the published stories, some don’t look like the others. Maybe it’s because the photos don’t look like each other and I let myself be dragged by each creation of each photographer.

26 - VOICES

interview How did you get the photo book deal?

That the “Photo + Story” project is going to become a book is something that I never imagined, when I started to publish the stories on the web.

It is true that after 20 years of film and musical projects, I have managed to have some experience in the Canary Islands, where I live. When we started, each time, to have more readers waiting for the days of publication to be able to read them, the project began to sound in many places. And when people speak well, things come by themselves.

One day, a friend who has an editorial with whom I have worked in the past in the presentations of my films, told me that she had read the stories and wanted to make a book with them. My surprise was huge and I said that I would have to ask photographers for permission since I only had permission to publish on the web, but not in a book. I contacted one by one and all, with the condition that we donate the benefits of the book to a Social Institution, they would agree to it being published. Which will occur in the month of January 2019.

How did you get involved whit the charity that you will donate the proceeds of the photo-book?

The benefits that come to us, since it is a project in which nobody has economic benefits, will go to a charity based in Nepal. EDUCA NEPAL is founded by the Canarian José Díaz and is a non-profit association that tries to prevent trafficking in girls and child labor exploitation, through education.

Why did you decide to benefit this particular charity?

I have already worked previously directing artistic shows in which funds are raised for this organization and I am very sensitive with the work they do. That is why, every time they need my services, they have my support.

Where can we see your photos and stories?

Yeah right. That all those who want to see the pahotographs and read the stories, can do so at www.fotomasrelato.com and that the photographers who want to participate, to get in touch with me. Of the best compliments that we have been told is that when you go to read a story, you want to read them all. We encourage readers to immerse themselves in a whirlpool of sensations and to transmit their experiences to us. Of course, I would like to thank Voice Magazine for giving us the opportunity to go out to the world through this window and its readers for wanting to share us.

Reason why I participated in this charity project. The simple reason that I care benefit something that I believe in while doing something that I love. Photography has always been my passion. It is clear example that you can help make a change using talent an good heart.

Madis – Siim Kull

VOICES - 27

Спорт

На Европско првенство преку Лига на Нации

Значи ова е тоа ново натпреварување преку кое

може Македонија да оди на Европско првенство и тоа во фудбал. Лигата на Нации на УЕФА е биенално натпреварување кое ќе се одржува во годините кога нема Европско и Светско првенство кое има за цел давање шанса на ,,помалите” репрезентации шанса за квалификација на Европското првенсто, како и замена на пријателските натпревари во ФИФА календарот. Накратко за форматот, има четири лиги, А, Б, Ц и Д (Македонија е во Д) во кои има четири групи со по 3 или 4 репрезентации. Победникот на Лигата на Нации се определува на завршен турнир, натпреварување кое ќе ги стави еден против друг победниците на четирите групи во систем на полуфинале и финале.

28 - VOICES

Исто така има и систем на испаѓање врз основа на резултатите во групата, односно репрезентацијата која завршила последна во групата оди во лигата подолу и секако систем на квалификација, репрезентацијата која победила го групата оди во лигата погоре. Да преминеме на она што Македонија најмногу ја засега, можноста да се квалификуваме на едно Европско првенство во фудбал. Македонија е дел од лигата Д (во која лига припаѓа репрезентацијата се одредува врз основа на коефициентот во УЕФА). Натпреварите по групи се одвиваат по систем дома – гости и ќе се играат до крајот на ноември 2018 година, и одржување на полуфиналето и финалето во летото 2019 година.

SPORT

Доколку Македонија биде прва во својата група, во јуни ќе игра на завршениот турнир каде што ако успее да победи во финалето ќе има загарантирано место на Европското првенство. Преку Лигата на Нации се обезбедуваат четири места на Европското првенсто, останатите дваесет се обезбедуваат преку квалификацискиот формат што функционираше и досега. Доколку некоја репрезентација обезбеди пласман преку квалификациите и преку Лигата на Нации, местото на Европското првенство го добива следната најдобра репрезентација по ранг во Лигата на Нации. Дали Македонија има навистина шанси да игра на Европското првенство во 2020 година? Репрезентацијата изгледа сосема солидно, секако со можност и за големо подобрување, селекторот и федерацијата изгледаат како да ги подржуваат играчите и она што е најважно луѓето, публиката гледа некаква надеж во оваа генерација. Притисокот треба да се чувствува, Македонија според играчи и ранг е една од подобрите репрезентации во оваа лига Д и сега останува на фудбалерите да се кренат и исполнат своите и очекувањата на публиката. Македонија има шанси за прв пат да игра на едно големо натпреварување и време е таа шанса да се искористи. Андреј Наумовски

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ТЕМА НА МЕСЕЦОТ

НЕЗАБОРАВНО ИСКУСТВО СО ПРЕКРАСНИ ДЕЧИЊА Го поминав своето 10-месечно волонтирање во Дневниот центар за деца од улица во Шуто Оризари во Скопје. Таму се згрижени околу 120 деца и тинејџери од ромска националност.

На почетокот се разбира игледаше дека ќе биде

лесно. Се беше ново: нова култура, средина, држава и нови луѓе во мојот живот. Ми беше потребно време да се прилагодам на новата средина и започнав да ги учам основите на македонскиот јазик за да можам да се разберам со дечињата. Јазичната бариера беше пречка бидејќи децата не зборуваа англиски. На почетокот за разбирање користев гестикулација и својата НАСМЕВКА. Искрената насмевка може да надмине многу бариери. Гестикулацијата и пријателското однесување ми помогнаа да го надминам овој проблем.

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Кога отидов првпат во Дневниот центар бев навистина изненадена. Морав да работам и на себе и да се прилагодам на оваа целна група. Дечињата многу често се обидуваа да ме надмудрат па затоа морав да научам како да ги изберам вистинските веродостојни информации од нив. Тие потекнуваа од многу сиромашни фамилии па затоа се радував што ги гледав како доаѓаат секојдневно да добијат храна, образование (во центарот можеа да ја научат азбуката, математика, уметност и сл.) и се разбира, да играат игри.

topic of the month

Еден од омилените моменти за време на овие 10 месеци беше четири-дневното летно патување со децата во Охрид. Никогаш не сум ги видела толку среќни. За повеќето од нив ова беше првпат да го видат Охридското езеро. Тие не умееа да пливаат но тоа за нив не беше пречка да најдат друг начин да се забавуваат во водата. Тие уживаа на сонцето, со врелиот песок под нивните нозе и тоа ги правеше многу среќни. Кога децата се среќни и јас сум среќна.

Ве уверувам дека доколку најдете храброст да се впуштите во авантурата за одење во странство нема да зажалите, ќе се вратите со желба да патувате дури уште повеќе и со многу спомени во сеќавањата. Би сакала што поскоро да се вратам во Македонија и да ги посетам повторно децата во Шутка. Овој балкански регион е навистина изненадувачки и би сакала да истражам повеќе од него.

Aida Athmani

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