Schuman volunteers'meeting in Wojkowice (5-9 February 2011)

From 5 to 9 February, 8 EVS volunteers of the Schuman Foundation (Sophie from Holland, Katarina from Czech Republic, Tobias from Germany, Alexey from Russia, Natia from Georgia, Silvia from Catalogna, Sophie and Louise from France) + our 2 beloved coordinators, Maja and Andrzej, travelled to Wojkowice, a small city close to Katowice, for a 5 days meeting. We were hosted by Tea from Georgia and Alina from Latvia, 2 of our EVS volunteers who live there. Twelve people in one flat for 5 days, you can imagine the big mess it was, but we had a lot of fun!

The girls had organized a whole and very full programme for the meeting so we did not have time to be bored:

On Saturday and Sunday, we prepared presentations about our countries and a workshop on volunteering, because 2011 is the European Year of Volunteering and we wanted to use this opportunity to exchange with the students about our experience as volunteers. 

 Preparing the workshop

 On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, we visited differents schools in Wojkowice but also in Będzin, Psary, Rogoznik and Katowice to make presentations and workshops. It was great meeting all these students and speaking with them, it was as always a very rewarding experience! 

 Workshop on volunteering

On Tuesday, we went for sightseeings  in Katowice and went to the restaurant to have some pierogi. It was very tasty, even if some of us had to wait quite a long time… apparently Polish food is something that has to be earned! ;-)

 

 

In the streets of Katowice

 At last on Wednesday, we visited Będzin and walked in the footsteps of Jewish culture with Karolina Jakoweńko, a guide to the province of Silesia. She created her own Foundation, Fundacja Brama Cukermana. to save a “House of Prayer” in a former Jewish building. For centuries, Będzin was the oldest and largest Jewish settlement in this region and more than 50% of the population of the city was Jewish. Today, you can only see some remains of Jewish culture in Będzin. You can find more info on http://www.bramacukermana.com. Very interesting visit for everyone, we learned a lot on Jewish culture and history!

During our sightseeing in Będzin

So now Schuman team, what did you think about this meeting?

Alina: "Terrible mess and unusual noise in our flat, very sweet birthday presents, “mafia”, lack of sleep and a lot of fun – these are just a few things which cross my mind when I think about Schuman volunteers meeting."

Tobias the volunteer: "Long sunny days, windy, outside, inside, faces, feeling to be a star, nervous, strong, tired, interpersonal, twins, smiac sie, wake up and the breakfeast is prepared on the couch table, sleeping in the bus, orientation, walnuts in the pasta, like a movie, coincidence, longing, garbage, pociag, dogs, smoke"

Tea: "I want to thank the volunteers who were visiting  Wojkowice. It was pleasure to host them. They chilled out the whole city. The workshops and presentations they made were very interesting and students liked them a lot. Everybody is contended and thankful!"

Silvia: "A really good chance to get a little bit more into Polish culture! Very nice experience, that I would not mind to repeat. Thanks to Tea and Alina, and also their mentors and the highschool in Wojkowice for organizing everything!"

Sophie/Micheline: "I really appreciated the student from the schools in Silesia. They were very attentive and interested in the subject."

Blonde Sophie: "Not just presentations with the most different students, but also a perfect organization of these days, a crowded flat and very tasty home made diners!"

Natia: "This trip in Wojkowice was really good. To do some workshops and presentations with Schuman team was interesting, funny and pleasant for me :) we had very active days in Wojkowice, Katowice and Będzin."

Katarina: "Our trip to Wojkowice was for me a very good experience. It was nice to meet Polish students and to stay for a while in a smaller town. About presentations, it was not easy for me every time but at the end I enjoyed it a lot ;-)"

Louise: ”Who thought that 12 people could share one flat and one bathroom during 5 days without killing each other… but we made it! And who knew that we had so many mafiosos in Schuman team… Thanks girls for organizing this meeting everything was amazing!”

Maja: "I think the photos say it all but just in case they don’t here are some of my associations to the meeting: reflecting, personal, crowded but spacy, loud, nervous and excited before classes in schools, chaotic harmony, energy, volunteers’ mafia"

Andrzej: "For me it was good opportunity to get closer to the volunteers. Find out more about their personal life passions etc. It is sad but unfortunately during normal work days there is no time to slow down and chat a little bit with you. Thanks to that trip I have found out more about future plans of some of you, about your activities as well as about some problems which probably you wouldn’t share in the office with us."  

NB: You can see more pictures in the gallery!