Priča volonterke Ilone o iskustvu volontiranja u Splitu

Europske snage solidarnosti nova su inicijativa Europske unije kojom se stvaraju mogućnosti za mlade da volontiraju ili rade u vlastitoj zemlji ili u inozemstvu na projektima koji su od koristi zajednicama i ljudima širom Europe.

Sudionici u dobi od 18 do 30 godina mogu raditi na projektu kao volonteri, pripravnici, naučnici ili radnici na razdoblje od 2 do 12 mjeseci. Mladi se mogu baviti širokim rasponom tema poput obrazovanja, zdravstva, socijalne integracije, podrške migrantima i izbjeglicama, zaštite okoliša i mnogim drugim uzbudljivim i izazovnim područjima.

Kako bi sudjelovali u Europskim snagama solidarnosti, potrebno je izvršiti registraciju putem sljedeće poveznice.

 

Nakon jednostavnog postupka registracije, sudionici Europskih snaga solidarnosti mogu biti odabrani i pozvani da se pridruže širokom rasponu projekata poput pomoći u sprečavanju prirodnih katastrofa ili obnove nakon njih, pomoći u centrima za tražitelje azila ili rješavanja različitih socijalnih problema u zajednicama.

 

Projekti Europskih snaga solidarnosti trenutačno se provode putem Europske volonterske službe.

 

Slijedi Ilonina priča o volontiranju u Splitu u Hrvatskoj za udrugu za pomoć mladima HELP.

 

Dolazim iz Finske - hladne i mračne, ali uistinu vrlo lijepe zemlje na sjeveru. Rođena sam na selu blizu grada Kuovole na jugu Finske i tamo sam provela gotovo cijelo djetinjstvo. Uvijek sam imala osjećaj da bih se trebala odseliti zato što se ondje ne mogu razvijati. Nije mi se dovoljno toga nudilo premda nisam ni sama točno znala što želim. Stoga sam se preselila u Lahti, malo veći grad koji nije previše udaljen od Kuovole. Ondje sam radila u osnovnoj školi kao školska savjetnica prije nego što sam krenula u projekt u okviru Europske volonterske službe (EVS).

 

Nisam ja bila ta koja je pronašla projekt, već je on pronašao mene. Jedna moja vrlo dobra prijateljica radila je u lokalnoj organizaciji Ohjaamo Lahti, a oni su razgovarali o projektu EVS-a u Hrvatskoj. Meni je trebao završiti radni odnos u školi i nisam imala razrađen plan o tome što ću raditi nakon toga, a moja je prijateljica to znala. Tako mi je rekla za mogućnost obavljanja EVS-a u Hrvatskoj. Dala mi je podatke za kontakt koordinatora u organizaciji i ohrabrila me da zaronim u nepoznato i upustim se u EVS. Ja sam tada već neko vrijeme osjećala velik pritisak da na neko vrijeme odem u inozemstvo. Prvi puta u životu osjećala sam i potrebu da napustim Finsku i iskusim nešto posve drugačije. Nisam imala razloga ostati.

 

Projekt za koji sam se prijavila se odvijao u Zagrebu, ali sam kasnije čula da ima još jedan projekt na jugu Hrvatske u priobalnom gradu Splitu i to mi je zvučalo vrlo uzbudljivo. Sanjala sam o životu u zemlji na obali tirkiznog mora gdje sija sunce i gdje mi nije hladno. Bar ne tako hladno kao u Finskoj.

 

Mjesto na projektu u Zagrebu na kraju nisam dobila, pa je još bilo šanse da ga dobijem u Splitu. Malo sam više istraživala o organizaciji domaćinu HELP i o projektu „MaMo“ i shvatila da je to projekt na kojem želim raditi. Zamjena igala važna je u borbi protiv teških bolesti i ja sam zaista željela učiniti nešto važno. S podučavanjem sam već imala iskustva jer sam radila s maloljetnim izbjeglicama u Finskoj i pomagala im da nauče finski. K tome je moj posao školske savjetnica obuhvaćao i zamjenu kolega na nastavi kada bi to bilo potrebno. Nervozno sam čekala odgovor udruge HELP dok jednoga sunčanoga dana nisam dobila novosti kojima sam se nadala – da ću se na deset mjeseci preseliti u Split i ondje odraditi svoj prvi dugoročni volonterski projekt!  

 

Sada sam u Splitu već pet mjeseci, prošla je dakle već polovica trajanja mog projekta. Dva puta tjedno za lokalno stanovništvo držim satove finskog i moram reći da su vrlo dobro savladali osnove! Imam pet učenika i meni je to bilo pozitivno iznenađenje jer nisam očekivala da će biti ljudi koji su zainteresirani za učenje finskog. Na Europski dan

jezika, 26. rujna, pozvana sam u jednu lokalnu srednju školu da održim prezentaciju o Finskoj i finskom jeziku radi osvješćivanja javnosti o manje poznatim jezicima. Također planiram, to je moj osobni projekt, promovirati Europsku volontersku službu u srednjim školama i na sveučilištima. Mislim da je Europska volonterska služba jedna je od najboljih mogućnosti za putovanje, stjecanje novih prijatelja i iskustava, susret s novim kulturama i unapređenje jezičnih kompetencija. Organizacija koja mi je domaćin svaki mi dan pomaže u tome da ostvarim svoj potencijal.

 

Drugi moj glavni zadatak je rad na zamjeni igala – ovisnicima dijelim čiste igle, te od njih preuzimam korištene kako bi se mogle propisno uništiti. Osim toga provodimo i druge aktivnosti poput čišćenja Marjana od bačenih igala i sudjelovanja u drugim aktivnostima. Nedavno smo i obilježili Svjetski dan borbe protiv SIDE, 1. prosinca.

 

Sve u svemu, život ovdje u Splitu je odličan. Živim s petero drugih volontera koji su mi postali obitelj. Naš se dom nalazi pokraj plaže i blizu centra grada tako da sve možemo obavljati pješice. Ujutro idem u kafić na plaži i uživam u svojoj bijeloj kavi, obično u društvu sa španjolskim cimerom Javijem. To radimo bez žurbe uživajući u pogledu na more i suncu. To je definitivno najbolji način kako započeti dan. Većinu slobodnog vremena provodim sa svojim cimerima. Istražili smo otoke bliže okolice, posjetili smo Trogir i Dubrovnik i najmanje jednom tjedno pokušavamo svi zajedno izaći na večeru. Kada poželim biti sama, odem na šetnju uz more, pišem dnevnik ili gledam Netflix u svom krevetu. Isprva sam bila malo zabrinuta kako ću živjeti s toliko ljudi pod istim krovom, ali se ispostavilo manje teško nego što sam mislila i zapravo je vrlo zabavno! Svi se zaista dobro slažemo.

 

Ovo iskustvo Europske volonterske službe u meni je probudilo želju za putovanjima i radom u inozemstvu. Želim raditi s mladima i mladim odraslima i pomoći im da pronađu svoju strast i mjesto na svijetu. Nadam se da ću nakon ovog projekta moći naći posao u Finskoj ili nekoj drugoj europskoj zemlji - trenutačno me veoma zanima Italija ili Austrija - no imam još vremena o tome razmisliti. Sve je moguće, a zasada ću uživati u Splitu!

 

Srdačno,

 

Ilona Rakkola

 

 

Ilonina cimerica Sarah Krug, volonterka EVS-a iz Njemačke: Ilona je odlična cimerica. Uvijek je spremna pomoći i dati savjet jer ima veliko iskustvo. Zabavna je i nasmijava nas. Brine se za sve nas u stanu.

 

Ilonina cimerica Tracy Kidey iz Francuske: Ilona je baka obitelji EVS-a. Zabavna je, ima veliko srce i uvijek je nasmijana. Odlična prijateljica i cimerica! Kiitos Ilona i Suomi!

 

Tijana, koordinatorica projekta: Ilona je odlična volonterka. Motivirana je i uvijek je dobre volje. Zrela i vesela, zabavna i posvećena, savršeno se uklapa u ostatak skupine i savršena je za, a ma baš svaku aktivnost koju organiziramo. Svi smo vrlo vrlo sretni što je imamo! 

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Ilona se u sklopu priloga o volontiranju pojavila i u HRT-ovoj emisiji INDEKS. Možete ga pogledati ovdje.

 

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The European Solidarity Corps is the new European Union initiative which creates opportunities for young people to volunteer or work in projects - in their own country or abroad - that benefit communities and people around Europe.

Participants aged 18-30 can be placed with a project either for volunteering or for a traineeship, an apprenticeship or a job for a period between 2 and 12 months. Young people can get involved in a broad range of topics such as education, health, social integration, support for migrants and refugees, environmental protection, and plenty of other exciting and challenging areas.

In order to take part in the European Solidarity Corps young people should register via the link.

 

After completing a simple registration process, European Solidarity Corps participants could be selected and invited to join a wide range of projects, such as helping to prevent natural disasters or rebuild afterward, assisting in centers for asylum seekers, or addressing different social issues in communities.

 

European Solidarity Corps projects are currently implemented through the European Voluntary Service.

 

Here is Ilona’s story about volunteering in Split, Croatia in Association HELP.

 

I come from a cold and dark but really beautiful country in the North. It’s called Finland. I was born in a countryside in Kouvola, southern Finland and I lived there almost my whole childhood. I always had a feeling that I need to move somewhere else because I can’t grow there. It was not offering me enough. But, even I didn’t know what I wanted. So I left and moved to Lahti, a little bit bigger city located quite near Kouvola. There I was working in a primary school as a school counselor before I started my EVS-project.

 

I didn’t find this project, it found me. My good friend was working in a local organization, Ohjaamo Lahti, and they were talking about an EVS-project in Croatia. I was going to finish my job in the school and I had no clear plans for what to do next. My friend knew this and told me about the opportunity of EVS in Croatia. She gave me contacts of coordinator in the organization and encouraged me to take a leap of faith and start the EVS. I have already felt a lot of pressure to go abroad for a while. First time in my life I felt that I really need to go, leave Finland behind me and experience something completely different. I had no reason not to leave.

 

The project I applied for was in Zagreb but later I heard that there is also another project in southern Croatia, a coastal town called Split and I got really excited about that. I was dreaming about living in a country on a turquoise sea where the sun is shining brightly and where I don’t have to get cold. I mean, not as cold as in Finland.

 

Well, it happened that I didn’t get into that project in Zagreb, so I still had a chance to get to Split. I explored more about the host organization HELP and the project ”MaMo” and realized that it was something I wanted to do. Needle exchange is important to work for fighting against hard diseases and I really wanted to do something important. Teaching was already familiar to me because I was working with underaged refugees in Finland and I helped them learn Finnish. Also as a school counselor, my job was to substitute teachers when necessary. I was waiting nervously for the answer from HELP until one sunny day I got the news I was hoping for: I will move to Split for ten months and do my first long-term volunteer project there!

 

Now, I have been in Split for five months, already half of my project. Twice a week I teach local people Finnish, and I have to say that they have learned the basics really well! I have five students now and for me, it was a positive surprise because I didn’t expect that there are people interested in learning Finnish. On September 26th, the European Day of Languages, I was invited to do a presentation about Finland and Finnish in a local high school in order to raise awareness of less known languages. I also plan to promote European Voluntary Service in high schools and universities as my personal project. In my opinion, EVS is one of the greatest opportunities to travel, have new friends and experiences, meet new cultures and improve your language skills. My host organization HELP helps me every day to find my potential.

 

My other main task here is to work on the needle exchange - I give clean needles to people with addiction and also receive used ones so they can be destroyed properly. Apart from this we also have different activities like cleaning needles from the forest of Marjan national park and taking part in different activities. We have also just celebrated the World AIDS Day on the 1st of December.

 

In general, life here in Split is amazing. I live with five other volunteers who have become a family to me. Our home is located next to the beach and near city center, so we have a short walk everywhere. In the mornings I go to the beach bar to enjoy my ”bijela kava” (cafe latte) usually with my Spanish roommate Javi. We take our time and enjoy the sea view and the sun. That is definitely the best way to start the day. Most of my free time I spend with my roommates. We have explored the nearest islands together, we did a trip to Trogir and Dubrovnik and at least once a week we try to go out for dinner all together. When I need time for myself I take a walk in the seaside, write my diary or watch Netflix in my bed. First I was a little bit worried how I can live with so many people under the same roof, but it has been easier than I thought and actually quite fun! We get along so well.

 

This EVS experience has light up a fire inside me to travel more and work abroad. I want to work with youth and young adults and help them find their passion and place in the world. After this project I hope I can find a job in Finland or another European country - at this moment I am really interested in Italy or Austria. But, I have still time to think about that. Anything can happen and now I will enjoy Split!

 

Sincerely,

 

Ilona Rakkola

 

 

Ilona's roommate Sarah Krug, EVS volunteer from Germany: Ilona is a great flatmate. She can always help you and give you advice because of her big experience. She is funny and can make you laugh. She takes care of everyone in

the flat! 

 

Ilona's roommate Tracy Kidey from France: Ilona is the grandma of our EVS family. She is funny, has a big heart, always smiling and laughing. Amazing friend and roommate! Kiitos Ilona and Suomi!

 

Tijana, project coordinator: Ilona is a great volunteer. She is motivated and always in a good mood. Mature and cheerful, funny and dedicated, she blends in perfectly into the rest of the group and she is just perfect for every activity we organize. We are all very happy to have her!

 

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Ilona appeared on Croatian Radiotelevision show INDEX, in a feature about volunteering. You can view it here.