Cristina’s Volunteering Experience

This article was written by Cristina, a short-term European Solidarity Corps volunteer at Open Cultural Center Greece. Here she recounts her experience in our centre in Polykastro and the impact volunteering had on her.

Three months ago, in the process of applying to Open Cultural Center, I would have never expected that in a small village in the northern part of Greece, calledPolykastro, I would find so much happiness, love, knowledge, self-reflection, and a sense of belonging and community.

A morning at OCC Greece means never having to check the time for your class, because two minutes before, your students will already be on their way to find you. It’s asking “How are you?” and hearing it returned with genuine sincerity; it is knowing that on your harder days the community will notice and will prepare you a tea, it is sharing books, hearing and swapping stories, and experiencing how the world should be: a community.

An afternoon at OCC starts with big hugs from the Falafels (children aged 4 to 7), the Eagles (aged 7 to 12), and the Pirates (aged 12 to 18). It is giving a fun class where  chaos is always present, but laughter is even more so. It is playing volleyball even on the coldest days because “Teacher, it’s not cold, let’s play”. and it is knowing that, at the end of the afternoon, regardless of how the class went, you will smile, wave goodbyes, and make hearts with your hands before the bus leaves. 

 It is impossible to enter OCC and not feel a warmth from the community to the volunteers and within them, who always support each other with genuine empathy regardless of their different backgrounds.

Youth Empowerment and the Garden project

I have studied Youth Empowerment for a long time, but it was at OCC where I finally saw what I studied come alive. The project that impacted me  the most was the Pirates Garden. The idea began in a conversation with Marie, my fellow volunteer teacher, about transforming the empty space in front of OCC into a beautiful garden together with the students, and we made it happen. They planned every step: dug the soil, built the fence, planted the seeds. What impressed me the most was seeing the students who usually stay quiet, due to language barriers and many other challenges, showing so much dedication and joy, pushing through difficulties and realizing what they were capable of. During this process I believe they felt truly empowered and part of something, which is not common to those who can’t attend school.

I remember the initial chaos of building the fence and teaching them how to tie knots. In that moment, I felt deeply fulfilled and realized, as if I was finally doing what I always wanted to do in my life. They all learned, they supported each other, and I didn’t have to tie a single knot myself.  

A moment that impacted me the most 

In the Women’s Space, I had the opportunity to develop a workshop focusing on  mental health and stress relief strategies that was a lot of work to organise but left me with a genuine feeling of gratitude. The real results came when, during a hard moment of one student, another told them: “You have to breathe to calm down, otherwise your balloon will pop”,an expression that reflected exactly the metaphor we were hoping to convey during the workshop. 

I couldn’t finish this testimony without mentioning how important the presence of our resident volunteer was in my experience. Sara, a 20 years old fearless and sweet girl, made everything lighter, easier and enjoyable. Besides obviously supporting with translations, she gave me a closer connection with the community and, most of all, new perspectives. 

Of course, the time in Polykastro goes beyond OCC, you will find happiness in cooking dinner for 10 people, everyday moments with Eli, Walter and George, the stray dogs unofficially adopted by OCC,game and movie nights,  weekend trips around Greece,  sunsets, and a  Bugatsa breakfast from Vicky, our trusted bakery. 

In these 2 months you will find a home in Polykastro and a family in the other volunteers. You will come back more conscious of your privileges and eager to raise awareness of what you have learned. 

 

Our volunteering programme is funded by the European Union through the European Solidarity Corps. For more information about our open ESC positions, visit our page.