Thursday, 5 June 2025

May is the month of my volunteering

 

Hello, it's me – Ulkar Gasimova.

I am originally from Azerbaijan, and I’m happy to share that I’ve completed the first month of my journey here – in Ankara, Türkiye.

From the very first day, I had no doubt that I would gain different experiences, encounter cultural diversity, and achieve new personal growth. However, I couldn’t have imagined that the month of May would be this full and enriching.

What mattered most to me was the sincere environment created with my current volunteers. This month, I met many different people, and even in such a short period, each of them has contributed something meaningful to me.

I had the opportunity to join activities such as the speaking club, historical tours, and a festival.


·         Ankara Palas Museum: This place, where Atatürk stayed and where many important government responsible were hosted at the highest level, has left an incredible mark on Turkish history. I got the chance to see historical Turkish clothing, weapons, knives, ballroom halls, porcelain sets from different countries, and Atatürk’s personal clothing and work desk. It was a fascinating trip for cultural enrichment!

·         On the weekend, we took part in the ENGELSİZ Ankara Festival. We set up a stand as Ander volunteers, talked to visitors, played board games with them, and met many new people. At other stands, we saw homemade jewelries, motivational book written by young people with cerebral palsy, as well as government institutions that support people with disabilities. It was very touching to see the involvement of parents, youth, organizations, government officials, and citizens coming together to support these causes. Society truly belongs to all of us.


·         Lastly, I want to talk about the speaking club, which we organize every week. Each week, we come together with young people from different age groups, prepare self-development questions, and play various games like Taboo. It’s always interesting to meet new people, learn their perspectives, and have conversations that guide each other in a positive way.

      Now that one month has passed, I can say that this has been a different and unforgettable experience for me. I’m already looking forward to the upcoming months and new activities with excitement.

Let’s see what’s next!