New Adventure in a Beautiful City

Before joining the project, I had many thoughts; I would admit 

that they weren't good thoughts; I was a bit worried about meeting new people, doing new projects, and traveling to another country with which I was unfamiliar with its language.

All these doubts disappeared from the first day, the hosting organization was so welcoming and comforting, and I felt relieved. Living in Turkiye seemed easier than expected because, you know, you have someone you trust and turn to. After a while of meeting the other volunteers and living with them, It felt like it was my second home, and they were part of the family, and like we had known each other for a very LONG TIME! It felt light, lovely, and calming. We would work together, make our own videos, and even go on amazing trips together.

The thing is that I never felt tired! Whether working, volunteering, or going out, never, it just became a natural habit.

I spent almost 2 months in Ankara for the project; it passed so fast, and we did many things.

Every day is like a new beginning, adventure, and new things to do! Our team used to do food delivery, which means packing the food and delivering it to immigrants in need; it's a humbling experience, it gives you a new perspective in life, makes you rethink your opportunities and future, and makes you thankful for everything you have and don't have to.

Also, another activity we used to do was going to kindergarten, playing with kids, and doing some.

English activities and helping out the teachers there, being around kids might sometimes be tiring yet definitely rewarding on the soul level; you feel like you're filled with positive and good vibes; after all, they are kids with incredible energy that they share with everyone.

This short-term project is almost over, and despite all my initial doubts, it's one of the most beautiful, unforgettable experiences in my life.

Life changing experience in Ankara

It`s monthly sharing from Anastasiia. I`m ready to share my first impression about volunteering with you. I`m a short-term volunteer in a Turkish organization called ANDER. Today it`s my twenty-ninth day in Ankara. This perfect time that I`ve spent here already gave me a lot of emotions, thoughts, motivation and the most important FRIENDS.

 Alloraaaa! Let`s start with activities. I had an opportunity to meet amazing  Turkish children. I do like children because they are the best example of  how to be easygoing, build relationships easily, tell truth,  and keep a positive mood. Besides, I worked in the office; honestly, it  was my first experience. Now l have a chance to enjoy the office atmosphere. I felt like at home from the first minute there.

Unforgettable journey

Hello! 

Hello! I am Bálint, and this is my August blog. As I mentioned earlier, I am in Turkey, in Ankara, where I am doing a 2-month short-term volunteering project. I am spending my last days here because I am returning to Hungary on 28 August, a Sunday. I said I hoped for the same good or a better August in July, and I could tell my wish had come true.

On 1 August, we had 1 girl from Azerbaijan and 1 girl from Georgia. It was a Monday which meant we spent our day off, so we decided to visit Luna park. Luckily the new volunteers also joined us, so we could become friends soon and had so much fun together. Of course, after this amazing day, we didn't forget our duties. As usual, on Tuesdays, we had food delivery activities; on Wednesdays and Saturdays, we visited the office or got tasks to do it remotely; and on Thursdays and Fridays, we volunteered in the kindergarten. My favorite activity in July was when we went to the kindergarten, which didn't change in August. As time was spent, the children opened up there, and they were braver and braver to talk to me. It was still hard to communicate with them, but I was happy they were trying to speak English with me. I wasn't idle in my free time either. I sometimes played billiards and bowling with my friends; on 6 August, we had a picnic in Çubuk-1 Baraji, and on 19 August, I had a great trip to Istanbul to meet my friends there. I think I could not even dream of a better holiday I had there. With my friends, we visited many famous places in the city, used the ferry several times to cross the Bosporus, and before the end of my Istanbul trip, we went to a football match on Monday night. I stayed with two of my friends there so for this reason as well I am really grateful to them.

On Tuesday afternoon, I took a bus from Istanbul with my friend Nail to Tavşanlı, his hometown. I could meet his family and some of his friends there, so it was another unforgettable memory, just like Istanbul. On Wednesday, we traveled to Kütahya, where we spent some time in a Turkish bath, and later in the afternoon, we visited a Museum in connection with Lajos Kossuth, a Hungarian politician in the 19^th century during the Hungarian revolution and freedom fight. I don’t think I have to mention how amazed I was when I heard about this museum. Around 7 pm, we started our journey back to Ankara. At last, in my last few days I met my friends to say goodbye to them, and on Saturday, we had a goodbye party.

In conclusion, I would like to thank everything to everybody who was with me and made these two months incredibly amazing. I will never forget the memories and the experiences I had here and the skill I learned. Now, I am saying goodbye with the hope of meeting you again soon.

Best regards,

Bálint