Volunteer Tsvetomira Milanova is 23 years old, who will be volunteering from the 8th of May until the 7th of July, 2016 with YDCMA as a sending organisation and a welcoming organization – S&G in Ankara, Turkey. The main activity of the project is related to the work of volunteers in the office of the Turkish organization and the organization of festivals and projects of the host.
My project in Turkey
Hello, my name is Tsvetomira Milanova from Ruse and by a happy coincidence I have been in Ankara for two weeks now. I graduated in political science at the University of Veliko Tarnovo and was preparing for a master’s degree. However, something told me that before enrolling, I had to find my calling. I wanted to travel, to meet new and intelligent people, to be part of something global and as they say: “Ask and it will be given to you!”.
When I first heard about the S&G project (an organization that has existed since 2008 and welcomed many volunteers in Ankara), it didn’t take me long to decide that I wanted to be one of them. I am happy that my relatives supported me and gave me courage, even though there were people who looked at me like I was crazy. The spontaneity of my decision may have surprised them, but I was determined that all good things were risky. I was told that I came to a city where there was a danger of new terrorist attacks almost every day. Given the situation in recent months, they may have been right, but in my life I have learned one thing – fear is always an obstacle. I knew this project was a step that would change my worldview. However, apart from the desire for personal growth there also is the desire to be a volunteer.
The awareness that you are going to another country with a different culture not just on a trip, but with the idea that you are coming to give, to voluntarily leave a part of yourself and to offer help with all your skills and experience. Here comes the time to mention that it is extremely important to realize the true meaning of the word volunteer. Whatever the project, if you want a lot of work – you will be given. If you want a little – you will not get one and no one will judge you for it. But the feeling that you have done something for the people, for the organization that helps is magical.
The project I originally applied for was NesilFest – support and activities in a day center with children and the elderly. This was great, because so far I have learned that it is the easiest and most sincere way to communicate with them. However, the start of the project was postponed, but as always the people here were extremely kind and resourceful – they made me part of the Join our Journey project. It mainly includes work with the team of the organization, preparation of new projects, as well as the opportunity to join the programs of all other projects and to assist in their implementation. Currently, my main tasks are on a computer in the office (searching for sending organizations from other countries, as well as new volunteers for other projects). The work is responsible, but not burdensome, and since for me being a volunteer is a rather a cause, not just a job, I found something else to do as well. When I heard about the organization of classes for the children of refugees from Syria, I knew that this was my place. Volunteers from various organizations, as well as several of ours, are part of the team as teachers or simply as assistant teachers. There are a lot of children – about 30 and 40 – we divided them into age groups, a total of 3, and in each group there are about from three to four volunteers. We are happy that despite the difficult situation, the parents encourage them to study and travel to the day center every Friday and Saturday and that they entrust them to the wonderful volunteers I met here. They are inspiring, kind, generous people with love and knowledge, with them we realize the responsibility of our task to give love and support to children who have not had the opportunity to receive education and even learn their own language. One of the subjects is Syrian, the others are English, arts – modeling, drawing. With a little effort we managed to gather enough materials to make the children’s stay as pleasant and fun as possible. We include games in the holidays, we talk to them as much as possible. I help mainly in painting classes, as it is my specialty. It is amazing to see their smiles, not only when they receive a treat, but also when they feel that someone cares about them and they feel close, despite the barriers of language.
It is exactly the language barrier that lead me to mention how impressed I am with the mentality of the people here, despite the difficulty in communication, they are kind, open to help and new contacts, and the best thing is that they do it not out of politeness, but out of heart and soul. For the last 4 days, S&G has given us the opportunity to attend the ISYEC (International Symposiumon Youth Employment Challenges) symposium in Kayseri. There we visited many workshops, presentations, opening new opportunities for personal development and changing views in the search for a field for career development. ISYEC organized an unforgettable event – a meeting with people from 33 countries – volunteers, inspiring people, entrepreneurs, leaders of self-help groups who were there to show the way to success. The organization at the local level was also impressive – they welcomed us warmly and successfully left us with a strong desire to want to return there.
When you volunteer and give, you inevitably receive. Therefore, my advice to anyone who has been given the opportunity to volunteer and visit Turkey, whether in a short-term or long-term project, should not hesitate! This will completely change your worldview. It will make you grateful, open to the unknown – and most importantlyyouæll help good people!
Greetings from Ankara!
Mira (that’s what the locals call me)