Saving the world could start with giving better future for one child

This is my second article I have already started meeting the village school students and being a

part of their journey this year. At first I thought it is another experience to learn more about the non-formal education but I crushed with the same educational system that I left and I hated in Tunisia. An educational system that is not commensurate with them surroundings, aspiration and reality. A system that doesn't provide the simplest conditions and doesn’t considering their situation, their needs and ambition. I saw a boy in the school with a lot of wounds  in his hand from working, others with special needs they have a problem of focusing they need more time to understand and they don t have the same capacity of learning like others.

Reflection time!

I have to admit that this time, I had to resort to my calendar and photo gallery to recap everything that happened in these last 2 months. I had the impression that it was too much to be all during this period. But no, also for my surprise, all happen since last time I wrote.

Scheduled in my calendar were Paraglider, School summer activities, a reminder for my cat annual vaccine (and yes, she didn´t love it but it was taken care of), MythBusters events, Electric Castle Festival, Youth Exchange, more days of school summer activities, several cultural events, Volu-HUB workshop and a Road-trip in Romania. And a lot more of daily plans happen that didn’t even get to the calendar. So, I will try to resume all of this. Summer was a time in which we organized and participated in a lot of different activities, events and projects. 

La revedere, Baia Mare!

Yes, I am in Baia Mare for 8 months now and it is the end of my volunteer project. During these 8 months, I did and saw so many things I didn't expect before I came here! But for me, the best part of erasmus+ volunteering is meeting new people from all over Europe and living abroad. This is a great opportunity to discover Europe. When I arrived, I didn't imagine that I would have to speak so much English. I lived most of my EVS in an apartment of 8 people. None of my roommates spoke my mother tongue until the last month. The diversity of nationalities of the volunteers in my apartment and in Baia Mare has helped me a lot to learn English. I came with a very low level of English and I have progressed in this language with foreigners, like myself. It's easier it seems to me and it's also fun to be able to practice with different accents. Before coming here, I knew nothing about Romania and I made many discoveries. I will keep very good memories of my EVS in Romania and if I had to do it again, I would do it.

Efforts to listen, understand and tolerate - essential values in a world where multiculturalism is increasingly present

From 24^th of July to the 31^st of August we took part of a Youth Exchange in Nistru with  groups of young people from different countries. There we participated to the project « EqualityIsFor Everyone » with 24 youngs aged 13 to 21 from  Macedonian, Spanish, Romanian and Finnish.

Gathered around the theme of equality and equity, we spent seven days together. The program was full of interesting and original activities (creative workshops, debates, role plays , cultural evenings, etc.), in a fantastic atmosphere and rich in our cultural diversity. Young Europeans also visited symbolic place such as the Communist Memorial in Sighetu Marmatiei.

Two flights twelve hours in train and here I am

Two flights twelve hours in train and here I am in Baia Mare for ten months of volunteering.

 I’m a Tunisian girl coming from very different culture, traditional and for sure very different weather looking for a new experience. Cascada Cailor descent the river was one of this experience suspense than a lot of fear Adrenaline but amazing experience yes it was only for fez hours but with huge impact on me. Yes I was afraid maybe I cried a little bit but I did it, it wasn’t perfect and there isn’t such thing called perfection. I faced my fear, I finished all the way down it was hard but I did it I had the courage the strength to believe in myself.  I’m so proud of me, more confident and for sure I will do it again. Also the school started now I’m looking forward to work with them and to bring a smile to their life and to help them to have a better future.



Khadija Kamassi, volunteer in the project BCV - Building communities through volunteering
supported by Erasmus+

My life be like

I have already completed my mid-term in Paiova Brasov and this means that more than half of my voluntary service has already elapsed. This training was really designed to take stock of our project, our life and the changes in our way of seeing things. It was also an opportunity to visit Brasov and meet new volunteers. It made me realize how fast time has passed since I arrived in Romania. I was also able to analyse everything I have been able to do so far. The mid-term marked a turning point in our activities within the association, since our return we celebrated the end of the school with the graduation ceremonies in Bicaz and Oarta. We were able to participate in the festivities of the 8th grades and see how our Romanian friends are celebrating this very important event, who means a lot to them.

Summer is (almost) here!

Last weeks in Baia Mare have been similar to a tropical climate, very hot and raining on the same day. And as the weather also our project is in a moment of change. The school year ended and with it also our regular presence in the classroom and as so our work, schedule and type of activities are changing. In the last week of school, we were able to witness the traditions, rituals and celebrations at the end of the school year that for me was totally new and a pleasure to be part of. For now, it is time to re-think and start to plan our Summer’ activities that will give us the flexibility of time and autonomy to develop even more our own activities and to be with the children in a different context.