O testemunho No. 2 da Dina (Bola p'ra frente)

Half a year has passed since I came to Portugal. During this time at the association where I  volunteer, we were super busy because of the many activities that were going on. Apart from that, I was occupied by so many opportunities that Lisbon is offering and spending time with my lovely flatmates and dear people me.

By collecting the food and necessities for the people of the neighborhood where the association is located, we made bags from reusable materials to put all these together. Later, together with the kids and colleagues, we visited around 20 families and distributed presents and wished them happy holidays. To wrap up the 2022, we organized an unforgettable and joyful dinner where we celebrated with almost 50 kids and spread some motivating and warm wishes to each other.

The first days of 2023 were crucial for us as we made plans and later on organized so many interesting activities, some of them with the help of partner associations, such as: promoting and joining a local theatre group, theoretical and practical bicycle activities and rides around the neighborhood and Lisbon, street football tournaments, picnics, pilates, yoga, music and dance classes, outdoor scavenger hunt games, visit to elderly house and socializing with elder people, master chef, safety walks in the neighborhood and overall education by police how to follow street signals, and so many. All this was done to improve skills and help kids gain knowledge regarding various things, as well as let them express themselves in different ways. 

By attending activities and spending time in the association, the bond between kids and me became so strong that now we can´t imagine days without each other. I must say that even though I work daily with them on different topics and help them do homework and learn more, they help me grow as well.

Next to volunteering, I had plenty of time to dedicate to myself. I joined a volleyball club and started training there. Therefore, I connected more with locals. 

 

I would like to add that Portugal is fascinating with its amazing nature, landscapes, beaches and cities. I had the opportunity to visit many of them and enjoy each moment.  

Overall, life here has been amazing, especially with all the people around me, who I appreciate and love more and more each day. 

 

 

O testemunho no. 1 da Hanna (Spin)

 

I am sitting at my desk in the Spin office, writing my first testimony. I have been in Portugal, Lisbon for over a month now and I can put my hand to my heart and say - it has been the best decision of my life to come here, change myself including the community around me for the better.

Hi, I am Hanna, originally from Estonia, a country where most of the time it is cold and cloudy, but I am enjoying the sun here in Lisbon, taking every last piece of it in.. I am just 19 years old, the youngest volunteer right now in Spin  Association. Freshly graduated from high school, I chose to turn my life upside down and do something different, outrageous. Looking for a job I came across an opportunity to volunteer in Spin  Association for a year and I knew it was something I have been looking for. 

 In my first month I already had to work with my first ever youth exchange (which was the coolest experience ever) and had to manage our organization's own spin hostel. I never had a job before, that means it's my first time working in shifts, doing paperwork and helping with different projects. I was really excited but also scared, if I can manage this workload, and if I will do everything right. Despite my fears my coworkers are the sweetest people on earth, guiding me through my first weeks, months, giving me time to settle and learn from my own mistakes. 

I also would like to give attention and show my appreciation to my flatmates, who I have lived with for some time and will have to spend my whole year with. Living with complete strangers is a new experience for me, but something I hold dearly in my heart now. It's amazing how you can become so close with people in a few weeks… Months. Strangers have become my little family, who I can always count on, and who I can share this amazing experience with.

This is my first testimony, but not last. I can only imagine what great things I will see, work on and experience. I am only at the start of my journey through Portugal and my volunteering in Spin and I could not be more excited and happy to be here and bring  you with me through my adventures.

O testemunho No. 2 do Moka

So no one told you life was going to be this way?

[in a somber singalong of the Friends theme song]

As I am approaching my 26 years on this delicate planet, I start to realize more and more how chaotic my approaches, opportunities, and behavior in different situations are. As much as I still find it harder and harder to deal with humans and not make mistakes, I am finding that there is no place for me to perfect my stance on life other than Lisbon and Portugal.

So hi! It’s me again! Coming at you after a rollercoaster start of 2023. Actually, for the most part, life has been fulfilling. Let’s start with the headline: I am no longer a volunteer at SPEAK. Yup, that can happen and has happened. Like any relationship in life, I found out that I am not a good fit for the organization. They have a certain approach to implementing projects that made me and they suffer to the point that it was best for everyone to sever ties. It was not the best thing that could happen to me, but it certainly made me realize more about what I want and what I am trying to avoid. I am very grateful that the folks at Spin have embraced me as a member of their team and that I have been given another chance to continue my life here in Portugal among amazing people and a welcoming environment.

Otherwise, as part of SPEAK’s mission, I have organized a few language exchange meetups in Almada and met very lovely people from different nationalities! And on a personal level, I have made trips to Marrakech, Valencia, and several cities in Italy with friends! Being in Morocco was actually my first time in another Arab/African country and I couldn’t have picked a better place to visit. The only problem was how different the Arabic they spoke there from the one I have learned all my life. Do you know these videos on TikTok where people make fun of how fast Arabs speak and how weird Arabic might sound? That’s Morrocan Arabic right there. The struggle was real. And Italy? I can’t even begin to tell you about the food and history. Molto fantastico!

The next steps in my journey are to work on my project in Lisbon and do more volunteer work. I already have some ideas in mind that I want to work on, so I will leave that as “to be continued…” until my next testimony. See you soon, whether in Portugal or on another page of the Spin blog. 

Moka

O Testemunho final da Hanna (Spin)

 

I came to Portugal for the first time a few years ago, to start my first Camino de Santiago from Porto. And then, sometime later, I came back again to start a new chapter, this time without any arrows I could follow. I´ll repeat what everyone else says at this point - I wasn't expecting time to pass that fast, but here I am, at the last steps of my stay in Lisbon. 

The time I spent here was full of new experiences, new people, new histories. I saw beautiful places, spent Christmas on a beach, drank countless amounts of coffee and ate pastel de nata almost every day. I tried new dishes, cooked my favourite ones and shared them with others. I discovered a new city and have my personal map filled with nice spots I'll want to remember. I'm happy and satisfied that I managed to travel a lot and explore. 

Throughout the implementation of my project I had a lot of opportunities to learn new things and improve other skills. I worked individually as well as a part of a team. We carried a nice tradition of intercultural lunches, which gave us a chance to integrate as a team and get to know our cultures. And learn new recipes :) 

All good things must come to an end, so this chapter of my life is also about to finish. Goodbyes always make me feel a bit nostalgic, but I can also feel glad and grateful for what I got to experience. I'd like to thank a lot to Spin's team for inviting me to join them, it was a pleasure to work with you! Muito obrigada!

Hanna

Testemunho da Miríade - França, Projeto ''Have Less, Live More''

 O projeto Have Less Live More me permitiu expandir a experiências e poder desenvolver diferentes competências durante o tempo que aqui estou, escolhi fazer um projeto short term devido a fatores pessoais, mas pude perceber que apenas dois meses acabam por ser pouco tempo no que toca a criar laços e a habituar ao espaço.

Estou a viver num mobilehome que partilho com outras raparigas no camping de Bevedere em Lastours, e uma vez por semana no apartamento que existe para os apartamentos na cidade de Carcassone. Estou a fazer de tudo um pouco no que toca às tarefas, algo que não estava nas minhas expectativas antes de aqui chegar, faça tanto trabalho do parque de campismo, como cuidar dos animais, jardinagem, às vezes e também quando vou para a cidade o trabalho na produção de cogumelos.

As minhas tarefas em relação ao parque de campismo são ajudar na preparação de mobilehomes para clientes, em relação aos animais estou encarregada de alimentar os burros e póneis, e na equipa dos cogulemos todo o trabalho que é exigido para a sua produção.

Também é importante salientar o sentido de comunidade que é preciso existir para a vida com os outros voluntários, desde a confeção de refeições, a limpeza do espaço e o respeito aos mesmos, algo que faz toda a diferença.

Não eramos muitos voluntários, em meses anteriores estes passavam dos 20 devido a outro projeto, ao que posso contar menos de 10 voluntários durante o tempo que estive a desenvolver este projeto, e que acredito que tenha sido benéfico no que toca à criação de laços. Nos tempos livres, sempre que era possível, saíamos para explorar outras cidades e vilas, ou fazer algo diferente, durante os tempos de trabalho sempre existiam grupos para a realização de tarefas.

Posso dizer que desenvolvi um melhor sentido de comunidade, resiliência, aprendi sobre sustentabilidade, tudo o que diz respeito ao trabalho que desenvolvi e muito mais, e a lidar com diferentes perspetivas. Também me inspirei em histórias de vida de outras pessoas.

Gostei muito da minha experiência, que também foi um desafio que lancei a mim mesma uma vez que nunca tinha trabalhado nestas áreas, mas que é possível que alguns dos próximos voluntários achem muito diferente das suas realidades e zonas de conforto, posso dizer também que eu pessoalmente sou uma pessoa muito calma e centrada na resolução de conflitos, nunca tive nenhum, mas ouvi falar de histórias de antigos voluntários com diferentes personalidades que tiveram.

Posso finalizar dizendo que vale muito a pena sair da nossa zona de conforto e fazer algo diferente que no desafia e nos faça crescer, e fazer grandes amizades! 

 

Cumprimentos, 

 

Miríade Martins

O Testemunho final da Magda (Spin)

I knew it would happen, but I didn't expect it to be so soon. My project in Lisbon is coming to an end and I would like to share some thoughts and experiences about it, because the last few months have been full of adventures and new people.

What did I do at Spin?

-I gave 12 Portuguese Language lessons to other volunteers. It was challenging, but also a really valuable period for me. I was able to see how other people started using the language with my help, and watching them interact was something I really enjoyed;

- I experienced my first Youth Exchange and met people from several European countries, including my own - Poland;

- I helped organize the interns from La Vibria organization first days in Lisbon.

What places have I visited?

- I visited many places that were on my bucket list:

*The Alentejo region with a rented car,

*Serra da Estrela Natural Park,

*many beaches

*Guadiana River from Vila Real de Santo António to Ayamonte.

*Andalusia

..... and much more

What I learned?

-Living with people from different countries can be difficult, but you can learn a lot at the same time, which makes you grow as a person;

-People can have REALLY different concepts of time;

-You don't have to choose between a smaller, strong coffee (uma meia de leite) and a large, lighter one (um galão), but you can just order um galão escuro :D

Honestly? I'm really glad I made the decision to come to Lisbon. I've learned a lot about myself, grown as a person and experienced things I hadn't thought of before. The people I met will always hold a special place in my life. I recommend you to take this step and enjoy volunteering in Portugal.

 

Magda

Testemunho do Tomás - Lituânia, Projeto ''Feel it!

 

Olá a todos

Eu chamo-me Tomás. Tenho 19 anos e, apôs o término do ensino secundário, estou a fazer voluntariado na Lituânia. Mais especificamente na cidade de Panevėžys, sou um de 4 voluntários na escola Panevėžio "Šviesos" ugdymo centras onde as minhas funções passam sobretudo por auxiliar uma turma nas suas diversas aulas/atividades, tal como criar atividades do meu interesse e gosto para os alunos em geral.

Passados 7 de 9 meses de voluntariado, a experiência tem sido incrível: tenho aprendido varias estratégias e métodos de ensino, tenho melhorado o meu inglês, tenho conhecido tanto uma realidade diferente como feito amigos de diversos países europeus, visitei (mais recentemente) algumas cidades e pude experienciar um país com um clima antagónico do português.

 

 

No seu geral, a Lituânia é uma realidade ligeiramente diferente para quem sempre viveu em Portugal: neva e chove imenso (especialmente no inverno), as pessoas, de um modo geral, são muito ligadas ao estado do tempo (meteorológico),estas não são muito expressivas porém assim que te conhecem mostram te muito afáveis, bebe-se imenso chá, no supermercado além do lituano as descrições dos produtos estão escritas em russo ou letão (na sua maioria) e existe uma diferença do que a  quantidade de oportunidades e estrangeiros diz respeito, entre  Vilnius e Kaunas (as duas maiores cidades) e o resto do país.

Para os 2 meses que restam, espero aprofundar relações com os alunos da minha turma, com os professores e com os outros voluntários. Além disso, espero alcançar os objetivos e atividades propostos.

Tomás