In March, our volunteer from Germany, Lelia, completed her project within the framework of the European Solidarity Corps program. Lelia spent seven months at our center, and we would like to share what she was involved in during her time with us:
👉 Organized activities and events for children and youth at the IZUM center.
👉 Assisted at @izumlaager camp during school holidays.
👉 Took part in various projects, master classes, and events at the IZUM youth club.
👉 Supported with activities at the IZUM hobby school.
👉 Hosted German language café sessions at ABC school and IZUM youth club.
👉 Became a supportive friend to 4-year-olds at ABC school.
👉 Developed and implemented her "Green Generation" project on ecology, upcycling, and recycling.
Before her departure, ABC school students organized a heartfelt farewell party, expressing their gratitude with gifts and warm goodbyes.
My experience as volunteer in IZUM; Lelia
“Suddenly I see This is what I wanna be,...”
This song was with me throughout my voluntary service in Estonia and my work at IZUM. The melody conveys my positive mood. But this sentence also describes well how I got to know myself better during my time in Estonia and IZUM and how this experience has shaped me and made me a bit more mature. But let's start from the beginning.
“Hallo!” My name is Lelia. I am from Germany and I was a volunteer in IZUM through the great possibility of Erasmus+. I was impressed by the variety of projects that volunteers can take part in at IZUM. I was able to take a look at many areas during my time and not only grow personally but also learn a lot about social work. I was able to learn a lot from the youngest in the ABCkool. I learned that communication without a common language is possible, and understanding your counterpart as well. I built up a relationship with the children, acted as a trusted figure and got creative with them. The children told me about their interests, but also about their culture and experiences. Through many games and conversations in the ‘German Café’, I was also able to familiarise the children with my culture. The children really have grown close to my heart with their quirks, open hearts, curiosity, their energy and talents <3 I was also able to learn a lot about the country and its people thanks to my great, caring colleagues. I would like to thank you once again for your caring nature, the many questions, wisdom and teachings. I carry all this deep in my heart. I also worked in the youth club and in the suburban camp in Tammispea. I was able to experience the great mix of Estonian nature, sea, outdoor activities, creative young people and starry skies. I was also able to challenge myself, as I was given the opportunity to do my own project for the youth club. Together with my wonderful volunteer colleague, I led a project on environmental protection and was able to see how young people got involved. This shows only a small part of the activities as a volunteer. During all this, I have learnt to love the country as a singing and dancing nation. I have taken nature and Estonian tradition to my heart. The most important thing I have learnt is to leave my comfort zone to grow personally. Even if this can be painful at times, it is the best step I have ever taken. I have learnt to accept criticism, to solve problems, to trust and to take responsibility. All these experiences were combined with intense adventures in an incredible country. This made it all the more valuable, exciting and better. If you have the opportunity to explore a new country, learn new things and make new contacts, then take your chance! I promise you, it will bring you lifelong friendships, new openness and a new culture within you. It is a privilege that I was able to experience and has shaped me for life. I am grateful for the dedicated colleagues who explained everything to me, supported me, looked after me, made jokes with me and made work a better place. I am grateful for the excursions and the integration into the new country. I am grateful for the children who sweetened my time and made me laugh. I am grateful for the best cook and the diversity of IZUM. I was able to get involved, use my energy and contribute ideas. I have contributed creatively, developed concepts and supported the hobby school. I already miss all of that. I can assure you that I will be back! I have really come one step closer to “what I want to be”. Jälle nägemiseni!
Jälle nägemiseni!
🥰 We thank Lelia for all the work she has done, as well as for her contribution and the boundless positivity she shared throughout her project.
🙏 A big thanks to our partner NGO Association of Estonian Open Youth Centres for coordinating this project.
🙏 A big thanks to our partner NGO Association of Estonian Open Youth Centres for coordinating this project.
