Thursday, 18 May 2023

Stepping out of My Comfort Zone

From Tunisia to Turkey: Stepping out of My Comfort Zone

As a Tunisian girl , I never Imagined that my volunteering experience for the month of Ramadan in Turkey would leave such a lasting impact on my life. Ankara was my destination, and my heart was filled with a mix of excitement, nervousness, and anticipation.

The moment I arrived, I was welcomed with open arms by the people I was going to be volunteering with. It was amazing to get to know them, and I was eager to learn about their cultures and backgrounds.

The first few days were a bit of a challenge, as I tried to adapt to the new environment and understand the work that needed to be done. But it wasn't long before I found my feet and got into the swing of things.

The most significant part of my volunteering experience was serving food in the poor areas during Ramadan. I was overwhelmed by the sense of community and generosity, and it made me appreciate the simple things in life.

As I worked alongside my new friends, I learned so much about their cultures and how they celebrate Easter. I was fascinated by the different traditions, and I enjoyed hearing their stories and experiences.

The experience changed my point of view in so many ways. Before volunteering, I was consumed by my own problems and struggles. But seeing the challenges faced by the people I served made me appreciate how lucky I am and how much I take for granted , Playing with the children was one of the highlights of my time volunteering. Despite the language barrier, we were able to connect through games and laughter. It was heartwarming to see their smiles and joy, and it reminded me of the importance of spreading positivity and kindness.

Overall, my volunteering experience in Ankara was truly life-changing. It opened my eyes to new perspectives and taught me so much about myself and the world around me. I feel grateful for the opportunity to serve and connect with others, and I hope to continue volunteering in the future.

In the end , I came to Ankara with the intention of volunteering, but I ended up falling in love with this vibrant city. One of the things that I adore about Ankara is the food; it's delicious and diverse, with so many options to choose from. Furthermore, the people here are incredibly welcoming and hospitable, making me feel at home. Despite the weather being unpredictable and changing rapidly, I still love it. It's unique in that you can experience all four seasons in one day, which adds to the charm of this place. I've come to appreciate the distinct character of Ankara and everything it has to offer, making it hard for me to leave.

Khouloud Rzeigui

Tuesday, 16 May 2023

Kendinizi mutlu ve güvende hissediyorsanız, herhangi bir arazi EV olabilir

Kendinizi mutlu ve güvende hissediyorsanız, herhangi bir arazi EV olabilir

 Irkçılık nereden kaynaklanır ve hayatın farklı aşamalarında azınlık kültürlerinden gelen insanları nasıl etkiler? Irkçılık söz konusu olduğunda analiz edilebilecek çok sayıda unsur vardır, ancak beni bu satırları yazmaya iten şey, entegrasyonu çevreleyen şey ve kişinin Öteki'ne ilişkin algısıdır. Ayrımcılığın coğrafi sınırları yoktur, dünyanın her yerinde reddedilme ve izolasyon, utanç ve yönelim bozukluğu yaşayan insanlar vardır. Aslında ırkçılık bize öğretildiği gibi korkudan doğmaz. Bir insan kim olduğu için değil, medya, okul, aile ve sosyal kültürün bizi inandırdığı şeyler yüzünden ayrımcılığa uğrar. İnsanları nefrete iten, Diğerlerinin kalıplaşmış fikirleri değil gerçek bir öz imaja sahip olmalarını engelleyen genellikle yanlış bilgilerdir. Kendilerini ifade etme imkanı olmayan görünmez insanlar zulüm görür, alay edilir, görmezden gelinir, günlük yaşamdan, bilgi dünyasından, hükümet, siyasi, kurumsal ve entelektüel güçlerden dışlanır. Okulda, baskın eğitimle ilk temas, azınlık kültürlerinde psikolojik, dilsel ve sosyal bir travmaya neden olur. Çocuklar korku, öfke veya güvensizlik gibi olumsuz duygulara yol açan bir aşağılık duygusunu içselleştirirler. Bir çocuk okula gitmeye başladığında, kendi ana dilinde düşünme, konuşma, kavramları bir araya getirme, yargılar oluşturma ve muhakeme etme biçimi geliştirmektedir. Bu nedenle, ayrımcılığa uğramamak için kendi kültürünü inkar etme yoluna gidebilir ve farklı olarak işaret edilmenin damgasından kurtulmak için özgün kimliğini terk edebilir. Ancak özgürleşme sürecinde, egemenlerin tercih etmediği tarihi yeniden keşfederiz. Her şeyden önce belirli sorumluluklara cevap vermek zorunda kalmamak için ertelemek. Zalimler, azınlık kültürlerini sürme ve yok etme planlarını sessizce sürdürmek, soykırım ve şiddete başvurmak ve kısır milliyetçiliği serbest bırakmak için kaybolma estetiğini kullanmışlardır. Ancak diyalog, azınlık kültürleri hakkında doğrudan bilgi sahibi olma ve onları anlama yoluyla, geçmişin sadece zihinsel değil aynı zamanda fiziksel engellerini de aşmak mümkündür. Aslında, ata toprakları ve dolayısıyla bu topraklarda yaşayan insanların hayatları, bir veya daha fazla modern devletin ekonomik veya siyasi çıkarları tarafından sıklıkla tehdit edilmektedir. Ancak, çok uluslu bir devlete inanarak veya ulusal sınırların ötesinde halklar arasındaki birliğin bir metaforu haline gelerek, küresel bir vatandaşlığın inşası için çalışabiliriz. Hayata, kendimize ve Başkalarına yönelik bitmek tükenmek bilmeyen bir merakla hareket edersek her şey dönüşür.


Were does racism arise from and how does it impact people from minority cultures at different stages of life? When it comes to racism there are a multitude of elements that could be analysed, but what prompted me to write these lines is what surrounds integration and the perception one has of the Other. Discrimination has no geographical limits, anywhere in the world there are people who suffer rejection and isolation, shame and disorientation. Indeed, racism is not born out of fear as we are taught. A human being is not discriminated against for who he is, but for what the media, school and family and social culture lead us to believe. It is often inaccurate information that drives people to hate, preventing Others from having a real, not a stereotyped, self-image. Invisible people, who do not have the possibility to express themselves, are persecuted, ridiculed, ignored, excluded from everyday life, from the world of information, from governmental, political, institutional and intellectual powers. At school, the first contact with the dominant education causes a psychological, linguistic and social trauma in minority cultures. Children internalize a feeling of inferiority that generates negative feelings, such as fear, anger or insecurity. When a child starts attending school, he is developing a way of thinking, speaking, incorporating concepts, constructing judgments and reasoning in his native language. In order not to be discriminated against, he can therefore resort to the denial of his own culture and abandon his original identity to get rid of the stigma of being pointed out as different. In the process of liberation, however, we rediscover the history that the rulers preferred not to defer, above all so as not to have to answer to certain responsibilities. The oppressors have exploited the aesthetics of disappearance to continue in silence with a plan of expulsion and annihilation of minority cultures, resorting to genocide and violence, giving free rein to sterile nationalism. 

However, through dialogue, direct knowledge of minority cultures and their understanding it is possible to overcome the barriers of the past which are not only mental, but also physical. In fact, the ancestral territory and consequently the lives of the people who inhabit it are often threatened by the economic or political interests of one or more modern states. However, by believing in a plurinational state or by becoming a metaphor for the union between peoples beyond national borders, we can work towards the construction of a global citizenship. Everything is transformed if driven by the incessant curiosity towards life, oneself and Others.


Eleonora Nascimben

Wednesday, 10 May 2023

Türki̇ye'ye hoşgeldi̇ni̇z!

Türki̇ye'ye hoşgeldi̇ni̇z!

Hi everyone! The first month of my volunteering experience is coming to an end, and it was so exciting and intense that it really flew by.          
I arrived in a country with a culture and language completely different from my own, and
, instead of being scared, I felt welcomed. I love Turkey, and its culture.

What I liked the most was to get to know this country during the period of Ramadan, such an important part of Turkish culture, in between iftar, and street parties.
During this month
, I had the chance to explore Ankara, the capital city: together with my companions we visited the Mosque, with its lavish colors; the Castle and the old part of Ankara, among bazaars, carpets, and traditional dances; Antikabir, with its patriotic importance and the changing of the guards.    
I tasted many new dishes: baklava, manti, ciborek, boyuz, çorba, lahmacun, çig köfte,
kunefe, lokum, durum, sarma, and lots and lots of çay!

I also visited other corners of Turkey, such as Pamukkale, Izmir, Efes, and Eskisehir.

Izmir is such a vacation city: as soon as you get there you instantly feel happy and relaxed. There you can visit the seaside, the ancient Agora, the main plaza with its Clock tower, the big bazar, and admire the city from above from the Historical Elevator. In Efes, I was very pleased to find out more about ancient Turkish history. There I actually found a very strong link between my country’s history and Turkey, being Efes a site where you can find a lot of Roman ruins and legacy from the Roman Empire. History was also a major thing while visiting Pamukkale, where I discovered a very well conserved Hierapolis, with its famous terraced basins, and thermal springs.

But, for sure, my favorite part has been working, spending my days for those who are struggling right now because they were forced to leave their homes, becoming refugees or natural disasters’ survivors. Spending time with these people has given me strength, and taught me the value of the little things that I give for granted. It can be hard sometimes emotionally. With adults and children begging you for an extra portion
of food, and us unable to grant the request, because otherwise there wouldn't be enough for everyone. These moments break your heart, but they also teach you valuable lessons. The people I worked for taught me that, despite the difficulties that life puts before us, we must never lose our smile and hope. I am extraordinarily grateful to have had the opportunity to participate in this project and to share these important life moments. Working as an ESC volunteer has given me the opportunity to explore this country by leaving a meaningful impact to the community.

Teşekkürler Türkiye!

 Chiara Gisinti


Friday, 5 May 2023

Hello Dears

Today I will tell you about my experience in Ankara after one month. 

  

I want to say that I was surprised at how beautiful this city is and how wonderful people are. I was surprised to meet good people with patience and kindness. It's true that, at the beginning, I was afraid that I wouldn't be able to integrate in the group, but, along the way, I found out that, by working together we can always discover a way to get along. For example, until recently, we carried out an activity in which we had to pack food and deliver it to refugees. I quickly realized that not everyone fits perfectly in each role, but we complement each other. For example, Chiara and I started to form a beautiful team in food packaging that led to greater efficiency. I'm aware that we can work alone, but it's nicer when you can share your tasks and collaborate. For example, Eya is very good with the children. Usually it 's not my thing, but, by watching her, I started to learn children's dances. She is very skilled and knows how to be dynamic and how to bring new ideas. 

  

Also, this month we went to visit the victims who were affected by the earthquake,

and we carried out activities for children who are temporarily living in a university campus. Our role was to entertain them. I was the clown of the group: I put on my clown clothes, drew my face and started having a big party. At first, I thought that I would not be able to fit in, but then I held children in my arms and spin them around. Eya was very good at dancing and I followed her, which helped me a lot to act in my role. We started having fun and dancing all together. The children were very happy with the clown who was empathetic and let them do almost what they wanted with him. Thus, I discovered that there is also a funny side of myself that I didn't know I was capable of bringing out, that I didn't know I had. 

  

Regarding the locals of Ankara, I discovered that they are empathetic and very helpful, trying to help you even if they don't know English. They are good-workers and everyone has a job. The city has an impressiveiby nfrastructure and all kinds of local businesses where you can find everything you want. The most beautiful thing is the vegetables’ market where we go weekly and try to speak Turkish or, at least, practice the numbers so we know how much money they ask for the products. 

  

My favorite thing here is the food. I like to eat a lot, since I consume a lot of energy by practicing sports. We had Turkish breakfast with my colleagues, which was very interesting and filling.  I had the opportunity to eat various kinds of food, and I am very excited to experience more. Every dinner spent together in the city with the girls brings me closer to the food culture and local traditions. 

  

C. Diana 

Monday, 1 May 2023

The Power of Non-Formal Education

At an early age, and without questioning it, we are introduced to this predetermined education system, running from primary school to university, and that it is characterized by its thorough structure (although it may slightly differ from country to country). This standardized architecture, about which students end up complaining a lot, because for at least twelve years we are subjected to the same methods and daily routine, where the classroom becomes our second bedroom, is named formal education.

Therefore, conceptually speaking, formal education is based on a theoretical curriculum, whose final product is the acquisition of qualifications and certificates, which is perhaps the reason why the system has become flawed in itself: students end up worrying and focusing more about grades than learning.

Nonetheless, fortunately I got the chance to know the power of non-formal education through Erasmus+ mobility projects and European Solidarity Corps (ESC) programs. They are developed and financed by the European Commission, and even though they are different – while the former provides youth exchanges, training courses, etc, where young people gather in a place and share knowledge on a specific topic, the latter focuses on short and long-term volunteering projects under a specific association – both have in common its basis, which is to show that it is possible to acquire knowledge and improve skills in a different context than that of the normal school pattern.

Thus, non-formal education refers to programmes and processes designed to improve a range of skills and competences, outside the formal educational curriculum (for instance, youth organisations). The emphasis is on learning, instead of teaching, through a variety of resources and technologies, which explains the existence of facilitators (and not teachers), who give the tools, so that the learner can understand by him/herself the importance of acquiring new knowledge (sometimes even about subjects that are not our field of study) and improving skills.  

A great example of the above is precisely this short-term volunteering project with ANDER Association (that, unfortunately, has come to an end). It is profoundly enriching in so many ways: it is about building up our skills (teamwork, problem-solving, social media management, time management); stepping out of our comfort zone and dealing with new environments, cultures, opinions; dealing with difficulties and challenges; and learning with other peoples’ experiences, backgrounds.

In summary, it is worth mentioning that the purpose is not to replace one by the other, but to integrate non-formal education in a better way. They are complementary and “mutually reinforcing elements of a lifelong learning process”. It’s mandatory to have this non-formal element because it’s the way to acquire skills useful for their social inclusion, personal growth and democratic engagement.


Inês Martins 


 

 

 

 


Monday, 24 April 2023

Travel in Volunteering

Hello everyone!
In this post I will share with you what I experienced in the 2nd month of my volunteering (in March). Our activities this month consisted mostly of working at a dormitory where we helped those affected by the earthquake and, secondly, of travelling around the country in our spare time.  We travelled to a lot of cities this month. That's why this post will generally be about the cities we have visited. This trip was not only a chance for me to give back to the community but also an opportunity for self-discovery and personal growth.
My first trip was Konya, a city known for its whirling dervishes and its spiritual significance. While there, I visited the Mevlana Museum, which is dedicated to the life and teachings of Rumi, the famous Sufi poet and philosopher. The museum had an incredible collection of artefacts and was a peaceful place to reflect on life's deeper questions.
Next, I travelled to Alanya, a charming coastal town located on the Mediterranean Sea. The town's stunning beaches and crystal-clear water were a welcome respite after a long journey. In my free time, I explored the city and its rich cultural heritage, including the Alanya Castle and the Red Tower, both of which offered breathtaking views of the coastline.
I then headed to Istanbul, a city that straddles two continents and is known for its rich history and cultural significance. The highlight of my trip was visiting the Hagia Sophia, a historic monument that has been a church, a mosque, and a museum throughout its long history. The intricate architecture and stunning mosaics left me in awe.
From Istanbul, I travelled to Cappadocia, a region in central Turkey known for its unique rock formations and hot air balloon rides. I took a hot air balloon ride at sunrise, and the views were simply breathtaking. The natural beauty of the region was awe-inspiring and left me feeling grateful for the opportunity to experience it.
Finally, I visited Eskishehir our last free days, a university town known for its thermal spas and hot springs. I visited the Odunpazarı district, which is known for its beautiful Ottoman-era architecture, and the Porsuk River, which is a popular spot for locals to relax and socialise. I also tried local cuisine, such as the delicious Eskişehir-style meatballs and the sweet dessert known as "çibörek." After a long and rewarding time working in the earthquake dormitory, travelling to Eskishehir  was the perfect way to unwind and relax.
Overall, my experience as an ESC volunteer in Turkey was an incredible journey of self-discovery and personal growth. It allowed me to step out of my comfort zone, learn new skills, and gain a deeper understanding of different cultures and ways of life. I had the opportunity to meet and work with other volunteers from all over the world. It was amazing to see how we all came together, despite our different backgrounds and cultures, to work towards a common goal. We shared our experiences and perspectives, learned from each other, and formed friendships that I know will last a lifetime. I am grateful for this opportunity and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a meaningful and rewarding volunteer experience.

Thank you for reading, and I hope this post inspires you to consider volunteering in Turkey or elsewhere in the world!

Nuriyye Ceferova


Saturday, 15 April 2023

Second Month of Volunteering: Adventures, Rain and Love

Selam! 

Here we go again after one month! I can’t believe that I’m already writing the second and last blog page. This  was a really full and intense month. The time flies away so fast and I still have to realize well all the things I’m living. So, let’s go deep in this reflection moment. 

In the first days of the month we had a change in our volunteering plan: some of the families victims of the  earthquake were hosted in a dormitory here in Ankara, so we started to help there. Our main activity was to  organize the social market where people came to take clothes and other basic needs. Without knowing the  language, I tried to do my best with the practical work but sometimes it was quite alienating not be able to  communicate with people to be more helpful. However, blessed body language and basic Turkish words that  helped me to try at least. Some days when we finished earlier with our work in the social market we had the  amazing opportunity to join the group of volunteers responsible to entertain the children. This was the brightest  part of our days, the kids covered us with love and joy! We danced, painted, played, they face painted us and  one of my favorite moments was the day we surprised them during the last hour of school bringing sweatshirts  to all of them. They were super happy and grateful for it and was a really good exchange of good energy. I  hope that, even if it was for a short time, we brought a sparkle of joy to them in these days spent together  because for sure they gave us such positive vibes! 

As for the rest of activities we continued to create social contents during the office days and we are enjoying  every day more preparing videos and posts and moreover it’s nice to see our improvements. I’m going to miss  the time spent there working and having fun too. We continued to have Turkish lessons once a week and during  the last one we had the chance to go in one of the Yunus Emre Institutes and it was a really nice experience,  they welcomed us heartily and my desire to continue learning Turkish language grown even more.  

Talking about our free time, this month was the month of the adventures and exploration of Turkey. Every  weekend we visited a new city. The first one was Konya, a really nice city, quieter than Ankara and more  conservative and traditional. We had the chance to feel more the Turkish culture there especially visiting  museums and mosques. Here we also tried the etli ekmek and we spent an amazing and chill sunny afternoon  in a nice park. It was a really good day especially because we didn’t know yet there but that was the last sunny  journey: the following were really adventurous raining trips!  

The first was in Izmir, an amazing lively but chill sea city. We spent a couple of days there and I was amazed  by it. I was missing the sea vibes and one of my favorite place was the Bazar, lively but not so overwhelming  (like the ones in Istanbul), full of amazing food shops and handcrafts. I love the vibe of this kind of places  cause you can feel really well the energy of people and of the city. I can’t not mention two great moments:  trying the Izmir bomb and having my first Turkish breakfast. The Izmir still hot it’s just an explosion of  happiness in your mouth and the Turkish breakfast… my dreamlike idea of breakfast: a mix of salty and sweet  things and such a big variety! It was amazing, especially having it with the sea view. Even with the rain we  enjoyed the journey a lot and we were super grateful and super happy when the sun came out for two hours  giving us a taste of the sunny Izmir! 

Then Istanbul! Such a different environment, it was a bit that I wasn’t in a highly touristic place but despite  the chaos it was nice from time to time to hear familiar languages. However I have to say that my favorite  things in Istanbul were the most hidden ones were you could feel more the normal life. It’s really difficult to  describe Istanbul cause is a really huge and complex city, I think you can find a little bit of everything there  and every place has different vibes. Of the most known places, I really enjoyed was the environment around  Galata bridge: small restaurants and bars on the sea hidden under the bridge, fisherman from day to night and  let’s talk about the feeling of trying the balık ekmek on the bank of the sea watching the night lights of Istanbul:  sublime! And if you want to experience a less touristic and quieter place, it’s a great idea to go in Balat, a really 

colorful neighborhood with its tiny streets and nice coffee places or Kadıköy, in the Asiatic part of the city (it’s  also a great chance to take the ferry, cheap as a normal metro). Another thing about Istanbul: seagulls, it’s not  an Istanbul view if you don’t have seagulls flying around. Super nice! 

And Kapadokya on the road, the most adventurous trip of this two months. Obviously with rain (again) lol.  Despite we couldn’t experience Kapadokya as we were expecting, we adapt to the conditions and we enjoyed  really a lot! The view was amazing even with rainy weather and see the contrast between the grey sky, the  brown rocks and the pink of blossomed trees was such a good and peculiar scenario. Also the ceramics  museums are really worth. Let’s say that the rainy weather is the perfect excuse to return in Turkey and visit  everything again with sunny weather lol. 

The truth is that the best part of this adventures was the companionship and even when things went wrong we  found a way to enjoy and be grateful the same. Not just in the crazy trips we had but in general in this two  months, the bond with the other volunteers was the best. I feel really grateful to have met these beautiful souls  and have built so many memories with them. Grazie belle! Vi voglio bene assai <3 

And now here we are… our last days here in Ankara, enjoying the last activities, eating our favorite foods,  going in our favorite places and exploring new ones, spending time together and with the people we met here.  But new things are still happening. Food delivery (one of the usual activities of the association that was stopped  during the month after the earthquake) started again: we prepared the packages of the food and we brought  them to the refugees here in Ankara. It was really nice to restart this and provide again the service for who is  in need.  

I also explored new places in the city: 50 yıl park, where I enjoyed a gorgeous sunset with the view of the city,  the ethnography museum, where I had the chance to deep a little bit in an old time Turkey and the Ankara  Castle: amazing! The view but especially the tiny streets to arrive in it, full of tiny shops, both old style and  new age vibes. Not a new place, but I have to mention it: Hamamönü with the blossoming trees! The perfect  place to have a walk right now, especially in these last days when the Ramadan started and some minutes  before the iftar the streets take life: people and music everywhere.  

I don’t know how to finish this blog page, I still have to realize that this experience is almost finished but I’ll  have time to reflect about this. Now it’s time to enjoy the last amazing moments, enjoy the last walks in the  city (especially in the night this city is just magic), get our body renew in the hammam (one of my fav things  btw), eat the last ciğ köfte, baklava and Turkish breakfast (and not only, the list is long lol), drink the last çays 

and continue to share love here and wherever we go.  

Teşekkurler Türkiye! Alla prossima! :)


Vittoria Zotti