My first week on EVS

This time last week I was on my flight to Lisbon - the city where I’ll be spending the next nine months doing my EVS.  Although I was very excited and looking forward to this change, leaving home wasn’t easy. I didn’t really expect to be selected so the news surprised me, and then I had less than three weeks to prepare for my move to Portugal! Having to deal with annoying bureaucracy and practical stuff didn’t leave much time for me to process everything or think about where am I going, what to expect and how do I even feel about it. It all had to wait until the day of my departure - my mom’s birthday - when we left early in the morning to get to the airport in time for my flight.

The official begining of my EVS

View from one of miradouros

Santa Maria Maior de Lisboa

I had the next 10 hours to ponder the fact that I’m actually moving to another country, among new people whose language I don’t speak. The mixture of curiosity, excitement but also some sadness and fear of the unknown left me feeling confused, but all of the negative feelings went away the moment I arrived to Lisbon airport where one of my new flatmates, Kasia, met me.

Kasia’s positivity and a huge smile on her face pretty much marked what the next few days would be like. Meeting my new colleagues at Spin, my mentor, roommates and other volunteers living in our apartment building - Casa Anjos - left me feeling very welcomed and accepted right from the start. It’s only been a while but I already feel like I’ve spent months in Lisbon. My time so far was filled with a good mixture of getting to know how Associação Spin works, what other NGOs are active in Bairro Padre Cruz, exploring the city’s touristic and local spots and hanging out with my new friends.

Some things feel really familiar, some are completely new and different, but most of it feels just a tiny bit off from what I’m used to! Not enough to give me a complete culture shock, but sufficient to leave me wandering the supermarket for too long while contemplating why the eggs aren’t kept in the fridge and how do people here cook soup if they can’t buy “grincajg” at the market! The curiosity goes both ways - I’ve already been given strange looks after mixing my white wine with sparkling water :)

Jardim Gulbenkian

But all of these differences are part of what will make my EVS a unique and interesting experience, and I can already tell that I made a great choice by coming to Lisbon!

Ana

O testemunho da Lucía: "Uma nova aventura em Lisboa"

Olá! O Meu nome é Lucía, com acento no “ Í ”. Tenho 27 anos e sou de nacionalidade espanhola. Nasci na formosa terra de Galiza, na cidade da Corunha.

Tirei a Licenciatura de Professora de Educação de Infância porque encanta-me estar com crianças, gosto de aprender e ensinar, posso confortá-los quando estão tristes e sentir que sou importante no seu caminho, posso rir e brincar como uma menina com eles... 

Portanto, a minha experiência profissional baseia-se na área de educação: babysitter, educadora em creches e escolas públicas, contadora de histórias numa biblioteca... O ano passado foi muito especial para mim porque estive a fazer um estágio, através do programa Galeuropa, num centro de acolhimento temporário para crianças em perigo chamado “Casa das Cores”, em Lisboa. Foi uma vivença tão positiva que fiquei com muita vontade de voltar a esta cidade com tanto charme.

No mês de Fevereiro, candidatei-me através da Asociación Mundus a uma vaga de Serviço de Voluntariado Europeu na Junta de Freguesia de Lumiar para o projecto  “Make a Move!”. Foi uma surpresa enorme ser a pessoa seleccionada e sinto-me muito afortunada.

O 1 de Março começou a minha aventura. A Associação Spin, a minha organização de acolhimento, recebeu-me com um maravilhoso almoço de boas-vindas onde conheci a outros voluntários. Há um pessoal muito fixe neste sítio e desde o primeiro momento senti-me como em casa.

Até agora levo três dias como voluntária no CAF de São Vicente, em Telheiras. Embora os primeiros dias são um período de adaptação, já estou a fazer muitas actividades giras. Por exemplo, fui visitar a Associação de Paralisia Cerebral de Lisboa (APCL) e participei numa dinâmica com crianças da escola que consistia numa gincana ao ar livre. Os meninos coordinavam as actividades e jogavam com as pessoas da APCL. Também fui membro dum júri num karaoke, monitor nas aulas de xadrez, basquetebol e teatro e guia no Museu Nacional de História Natural e de Ciência.

A educação não formal é uma área nova para mim, mas estou a comprovar que gosto dela. Tenho muita vontade e motivação para superar tudos os reptos que ficam nestes 9 meses de voluntariado, aprender muitas coisas e aportar a minha percepção de professora. Em resumo, espero contribuir de forma positiva neste programa e viver uma experiência inolvidável.

Lucía 

First 10 days in Lisbon

I don't like this part very much, but let's put first things first. I am Petra Mršnik from Slovenia and I am new EVS volunteer in Associação Spin. I will stay here till December.

So ... how did I spend my first 10 days in Lisbon? What did I see? What did I notice? You should know it is impossible (and also senseless) to write down everything, so here is short sum up of my past 10 days :)

This is first (and so far the only) picture of me since I am in Portugal.

One of the first things I noticed are the metro stations. I like their "outfit" so much (or should I said "infit" :P). Each one of them is designed in different style. And even though stations look different one from another it doesn't look kitschy or confusing. Everything is so aesthetic and very very interesting. Here is the link to one very good article (with a lot of pictures) about art in Lisbon metro stations. And I think there is also connection between station's name and its design, for example metro station Laranjeiras (eng. Oranges) is furnished with tiles of full oranges, orange slices and orange trees, then there is metro station Cidade Universitária (eng. University City) that is full of nice quotes and wise sayings. So maybe this can be an idea how to spend rainy day in Lisbon.

On my way to work on Wednesday, Mach 8th, I noticed that some girls and women held flower in their hand and I was so happy to see it. I didn't know that international women's day is well known in Portugal, I thought it is not so well recognised in West part of Europe. And surprise surprise, one man came into our office later that day and guess what, he gave each one of us one flower. And I am still hapy for this flower, :)

Flower in the glass is the one I received :)

Talking about office ... Everybody is so nice and helpful (and as one of co-workers said "so young" ;)). We (new EVS volunteers) were accepted very nicely, they made welcome lunch for us. In the next days our tutor showed us working place, presented ongoing projects, following events, responsibilites and duties we have etc. I like the atmosphere in our office and I think I will like my work too :)

On the way to the office

One of the things I find interesting here is the high moisture in the air. I haven't noticed that by smell or anything similar, I noticed it on my body, because it took so looong for my hair to get dry (I don't have hair dryer), but (there is always but) I also noticed my skin is so soft and smoothy here without any care. I would usually put oil twice a day and here I can put ut just twice a week. Amazing, I like the high moisture in the air and its impact on my skin :)

Ponte 25 de Abril
(One of two bridges that connect Lisbon and municipality of Almada)

Another thing I learnt at the very begining of my staying here is there are two main football clubs in Lisbon, Benfica and Sporting. How did I learn that? I share appartment with 3 Portuguese students. I am so happy and so lucky about it. I can really see how they live, I get to know the culture and language quicker and socialization with locals is much easier for me. I really like it. And I also like I don't live with the same people I work. But please, don't understand me wrong, I like them very much! But I also believe it can be very hard and challenging to spend all day and every day in the company of the same people. So, one more time, I am happy to live with locals :)

Project Eco Corner in my new home (signs for waste sorting)

Otherwise, I feel very busy those days. There are so many things I want to see, so many places I want to visit and discover, so many articles I want to read about Lisbon and Portugal, and then I also want to arrange/change/design appartment a bit, I want to have time to learn Portuguese language, and of course I need to socialize ... Aaaa, there are too many things. I have to relax, enjoy my time and be thankful I am here. Weekend, here I come :)

See you,

beijinhos, Petra

Lo bueno si breve, dos veces bueno

Aquele é um ditado espanhol que vêm a dizer: quando uma coisa que é boa é breve, e duplamente boa. Pelo fato da brevidade, que exige desfrutar o ao máximo, porque sabes que têm uma data de fim…

Meu EVS na Associação Spin em Lisboa foi uma experiência inolvidável, daquelas que passam a formar parte importante da tua vida, daquelas que construam a tua pessoa e te acompanham no futuro. Se tivesse que definir meu EVS numa palavra, sem dúvida seria: ENRIQUECEDOR.

Tem sido um grande prazer conhecer pessoas de todos lugares do mondo, desde Tailândia até Estónia, passando por Palestina, França, Itália…e mais. Nem todos os momentos foram bons, as vezes é difícil fazer funcionar as relações entre pessoas com tão diferente visão da vida; mas quando acontece, esse entendimento entre duas pessoas que nem falam a suas próprias línguas entre eles... GUAU! Aquelo consegui voltar a esperança mesma na humanidade! E este é só um pequeno exemplo do que acontece num EVS...

Também conhecer novos lugares cada dia, experimentar novos sabores, sentir novas sensações, aprender a lidar com elas sem morrer no intento, aprender a estar muito acompanhado e sozinho as vezes também; crescer, no mais amplo sentido da palavra.

A sorte minha que o EVS também foi um passo para a minha carreira profissional, consegui um emprego nesta cidade que adoro e alargar assim a conexão com aqueles  dias como voluntária e começar uma nova vida.

Elena

O SVE da Ingrid

My EVS experience has been full of surprises.

I arrived at the beginning of the summer program; we went to the beach, we visited museums and cultural places, we did sports and many others activities with the kids!  In September a new cycle started and I started to develop my own activities.

With 6-year-old kids I made some activities about music and drawings. For example the different kinds of instruments. I also brought my violin and play for them. I loved working with them because they were enthusiastic for everything!

I also participated with them to a challenge “Herois da Fruta” that is promoting healthy food and fruits‘ benefits! Here is a link:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CC_28LY0p1g&t=32s

I helped a lot the kids with special educational needs. I participated every week to the cooking activity, plastics arts and also music!

It was a very challenging and rich experience. Kids are extremely generous and they give you energy to challenge yourself everyday. It was rewarding to see that my work was appreciated and see that I could help them.

I will never forget my birthday when I arrived at school I saw the poster they made for me with kinds messages on the board and they were all singing.

I really felt integrated and listened. My EVS experience allowed me to develop new skills, creativity and share things that I like!  I met incredible people here in Lisbon who welcomed me really well and made me feel like home. It’s not easy to learn a new language, learn everything from the start but I was lucky to have amazing people to help me.

Two unforgettable memories were the “On arrival training” in Braga and the “Mid-term training” in Guimarães. I met incredible people with so much positive energy. It gave me a lot of motivation during my EVS. Some of the people I met became really good friends. I realized during those trainings how important it is to share our experiences. 

I’m really grateful for the support of my teamwork and my friends! I got great opportunities to visit Lisbon and know more about Portuguese e culture all along my EVS. My love for Lisbon and Portugal is even stronger now !

Thank you everybody <3 

O testemunho da Michela, a nossa voluntária italiana: "Entre sonho e realidade."

Olá!

Chamo-me Michela e desde Setembro que estou a realizar o Serviço Voluntário Europeu em Lisboa com a Spin. Como já disse, cheguei a Lisboa através do Projeto Erasmus +. Não conhecia esta oportunidade de mobilidade até que me candidatei pela primeira vez. Uma das principais razões pelas quais decidi começar esta experiência, foi o facto de ser um projecto promovido pela Spin e de ser localizado em Lisboa.

Porquê? Não me lembro de todas as ideais que me passaram pela cabeça naquele momento mas com certeza teve uma ligação às minhas últimas experiências em Itália. Em particular depois de ter acabado a facultade comecei a procurar um trabalho ou um estágio profissional na minha área; durante esta pesquisa visitei algumas associações qua apoiam os jovens na procura de uma oportunidade de mobilidade. Lembro-me que era para mim um período muito confuso e recebi muitos bons conselhos e apoio. Foi assim que quando vi a vaga para a Spin pensei que ajudar e promover a mobilidade europeia dos jovens poderia ser uma coisa muito importante para a nossa sociedade. Na minha ideia muito jovens ficam um pouco perdidos depois ou antes dos estudos, muitas vezes chega para eles o sentido que tem uma forte crise do trabalho, além disso temos muitas oportunidades como o programa do Erasmus+ mas as informações não chegam a todos. 

Na internet existem sempre muitas informações claro, mas nem todos confiam na realidade e nem todos tem a capacidade de procurar as oportunidades que temos.

E foi com esta motivação que cheguei para fazer meu SVE na Spin!

No inicio o meu SVE foi um pouco mais difícil: Spin faz muitas coisas e dá-nos a possibilidade de fazer e implementar os nossos projectos pessoais. Não estava acostumada a ter tanto tempo livre e tive muitas ideais, demais, sem saber como e qual escolher. Depois de um pouco comecei a ajudar com as coisas mais simples para o envio de jovens portugueses para as nossas vagas de mobilidade europeia: gostei muito de fazer meu voluntariado ajudando nisso e agora que tenho as ideais mais claras no funcionamento disso e a minhas tarefas são cada vez mais interessantes. Posso dizer que pouco a pouco, estou fazer aquilo que sonhava antes de começar o meu SVE.

Quando cheguei não foi um ótimo começo ou seja, não foi como eu sonhava: fiquei doente e assim depois de alguns dias já conhecia a maioria dos centros de saúde da Lisboa. A minha primeira volta pela cidade foi numa ambulância:) Mas também aqui aconteceu algo muito importante: ainda não conhecia ninguém mas nunca me senti sozinha ou sem apoio. Elena especialmente, a minha colega de casa e também voluntária da Spin, ficou comigo uma noite inteira na fila do centro de saúde para uma visita médica. Agora que tudo correu bem esta é a lembrança mais forte que tenho e de qualquer maneira estou feliz por este episódio.

Enfim, poderia dizer muitas outras coisas mas meu testemunho vai parecer uma autobiografia, portanto para dar um “final” queria dizer que nesta experiencia SVE aprendi como a realidade é sempre muito diferente dos nossos sonhos, mais isso não e um obstáculo porque temos sempre que confiar e lembrar-nos dos nossos sonhos, assim pouco a pouco podemos reduzir as distâncias e talvez a realidade seja ser muito melhor de como a imaginávamos. Para mim, tudo isso acontece por todas as lindas pessoas que encontrei aqui em Lisboa, começando pelas minhas colegas na Spin!

Growing sand in my head! EVS "I help, I grow!" by Wojtek "Bacana"

My service took place in Lisbon, Portugal and lasted 12 months. I lived for one year here:

Amazing, isn't it?

This one with shorter 'rastas', as locals call dreadlocks, is me. I come from east of Poland, small city called Biala Podlaska. I love my place of birth, however at some point I fell in love with whole world. It is a wonderful place and it seems that we – human species – do not respect it properly. I try to. And I encourage everybody to do the same. With small steps. Nothing radical.

And talking about radical stuff... Organisation that hosted me in Portugal is called Azimute Radical. It is a non-profit institution with 15 years of experience in using adventure sports (like climbing, trekking, paintball, rafting, canoeing, scuba diving...) as a tool of informal education and social inclusion in city of Lisbon. Their work takes place especially in Carnide zone (where exist two social neighbourhoods). During my project these two social neighbourhoods supposed to be my main area of social intervention, and till some extent they were – many actions during my service took places there. Other types of activities in which I have participated were located either in Carnide zone (cooperation with other associations, with local authorities or local non-formal groups) or in Adventure Park that Azimute Radical is managing outside of Lisbon:

Very radical stuff in very radical adventure park!

Personally my co-workers weren't that radical. They were family - AZR family - and they took very good care of me and other volunteer – the best Italian ever – Roberto.

Our Service started with adaptation period that lasted more or less three months – till the end of November 2015. During this time our hosting organization provided us office space to work, presented zone in which they are operating, and slowly included us in their daily, routine activities (such as promotion of their offer, maintenance of their equipment, preparation of social events done by them in this period). At the end of this period hosting association had their annual meeting of members connected with 14^th anniversary. Part of our duties was helping them with preparation and execution of this event.

In December our hosts gave us project to develop. Idea was their, but the researches, development and implementation was up to us. Project was called ‘Percursos de Carnide’ and was about inventing and identifying in space walking and running thematic paths. All located in Carnide zone. During next three months we were developing this idea on our own.

Me again. And my working place. We spent here long hours!

Finnaly, at the beginning of March, the brochure was done! We described there five thematic paths. Paths were presenting historical, cultural, associative, nature and simply curious places from zone in which we worked. Good job? It is not for us to judge. But this was for sure the best job ever. Just see:

Again me. Ehh. The happiest moment of my EVS!

It was 6^th of January. Dinner with local elders. I have never felt better while preparing potatoes, serving dishes, talking and dancing with grandpas and grannies. It is nice to help communities, to be part of it! I recommend!

Starting in March the level of our responsibility increased.  Due to that also number of hours that our co-workers put on us went up. In march main responsibility were half-colonies with kids that lasted two weeks around Easter holidays. And in April we participated in professional training course for instructors of association’s activities. The number of hours that we were working these days was much bigger than we supposed to as volunteers and this created some internal conflicts between us – volunteers and the rest of co-workers. After training course given for us by Azimute Radical we decided to talk with president of the association and we sought for some help within coordinator association – amazing SPIN association. Talks that we have done with them brought good results and we managed to change our weekly work schedule in accordance with Erasmus+ rules. Unfortunately relation with other workers of hosting association become more distant and cooled a bit. However I manege to pass the training course and received a diploma of adventure sport monitor, so the effort put into the course brought good results.

May, June and July were months of applying new weekly work schedule and months with many activities in social neighbourhood that brought to me new motivation and a lot of joy. Applying knowledge acquired during training course was also satisfying. In June and July we were part of the crew responsible for kids during half-colonies and this experience, tough it was demanding, was also very pleasing and interesting. In July I have participated in mid-term training and I used this time for self-evaluation of my development and evaluation of what have happened during my Service. In the end of July we have done final evaluation (as August in Portugal is a month of holidays – many institutions decrease amount of work or stop working – we wanted to do evaluation earlier) with presence of member of coordinating organisation and the hosting one. August, thanks to our not-that-radical hosts, was a month of personal discoveries and adventures – holidays! And, unfortunately also saying “até já”.