A Month of Meaningful Memories: My Volunteering

June was more than just a month on the calendar—it was a journey filled with learning, connection, and personal growth. As a volunteer, I had the opportunity to take part in a wide range of activities that not only enriched the lives of others but also deeply shaped my own perspective.

One of the most rewarding aspects of this month was the time I spent with children in village schools, youth centers, Altındağ Imam Hatip Project schools, and colleges. Through the lessons and workshops we organized, I felt like I was able to truly touch their hearts. It brought me so much happiness to share knowledge, create joyful moments, and offer them new experiences. The laughter we shared and the memories we created together are things I will never forget.

Volunteering has a special place in my life—it brings unforgettable moments and emotional connections. But it’s not just about giving; it's also about growing. I had the chance to attend cultural events organized by my friends from Azerbaijan, Slovakia, and Georgia. These experiences allowed me to dive into different cultures and traditions, opening my eyes to the beauty of diversity. I’m incredibly grateful to have been part of this international project, which gave me the opportunity to build

Our youth center was a hub of creativity and learning. Each volunteer led workshops on various topics, sharing their unique perspectives and skills. From speaking clubs for secondary school, high school, and university students, to sessions on self-expression and creativity, every activity played a role in mutual development. Leading these speaking clubs helped me grow in confidence while also supporting the deve.

At the university level, we organized events about ESC (European Solidarity Corps) and Erasmus programs. These moments spent collaborating, learning, and having fun with my peers were some of the most fulfilling parts of the mon.

MAY AND MY VOLUNTEERS

This month has been an incredibly full and meaningful one for me.

We kicked off the month with a volunteer orientation session, where I met many amazing new volunteer friends. Together, we explored the core idea of “What does it mean to be a volunteer?” This question sparked inspiring conversations and helped us connect more deeply with our shared mission.

Shortly after, we traveled to Bursa as a volunteer group. The trip was both joyful and enriching. We had the chance to explore new places, immerse ourselves in the city's unique culture, and enjoy unforgettable moments together. One of the highlights was visiting the historic ULU Mosque and taking a trip up to Uludağ. The view was breathtaking, and it reminded me how beautiful and full of history Bursa truly is.

After our return to Ankara, the month continued with more impactful experiences. One of the most special parts was visiting a village school. We flew kites with the children and joined in their play—we became kids again ourselves! I painted their faces, created bookmarks, and spent time chatting and learning with them. The energy and joy of the children were truly heartwarming.

Apart from that, the month was packed with speaking clubs and festivals. We hosted several speaking clubs that brought young people together to express themselves and grow. At the Disabled Festival, we set up a stand as volunteers and had a wonderful time playing games and sharing joyful moments with disadvantaged groups. It was touching to be a part of such an inclusive and caring environment.

We also took part in organizing seminars and panels to promote the European Solidarity Corps (ESC) and Erasmus+ programs. These events allowed us to share valuable information and opportunities with other young people, and I truly believe they made a lasting impact.

Additionally, we supported food packaging events for those in need, which reminded me of the power of small acts of kindness. We also visited Altınköy with friends, where we filmed videos about volunteering. The traditional village setting of Altınköy was absolutely charming. I even had the chance to teach my friends how to play "Mangala"—a traditional Turkish game—which was a fun and bonding experience.

In short, this month was filled with meaningful experiences, new friendships, learning, laughter, and giving back to the community. It was busy, yes—but also incredibly beautiful and fun. I'm truly grateful for everything I was a part of

Volunteer Adventures in pril

 

 This month has been very busy. We continued with the food packaging we did in the past weeks. This month we focused on digital designs. This was very useful for us.

This month there were Georgian and Azerbaijani cultural days. It was very nice. It was a very useful and good experience to learn new cultures. It was nice to taste different foods.

Our friends held workshops and it was very useful that these trainings were interactive. We visited Anıtkabir as the ESC team. We had a great time there.

This month I attended a workshop about the environment and ecosystem. I understood the value of our world and atmosphere once again. It was a reminder that we need to be more careful around us and that we are not the only ones living in this world. In this activity, we collected garbage from outside and threw it in the trash.

This month, as a different experience, our coordinator gave us a shopping list. And he grouped us. We gave our group a certain amount of money and challenged them to speak only English, while those who were good at English spoke only Turkish. We had a lot of fun, it was hard, but we raised a great awareness. Speaking English to Turkish people, even though you know Turkish, was a bit difficult. But it helped me express myself and develop my awareness.

This week we had a pizza making competition with national volunteers. It was great. We both made and ate. It was a nice group effort.We received sign language training. This was one of my favorite activities. It was a great feeling that there were no barriers between people and there was always communication.