Mari Machavariani is a Georgian volunteer who joined Polites Association, in Poland and carried out her long-term European Solidarity Corps project funded by Erasmus +. Read what she says about her experience:

“This is the story of my first volunteering experience—a journey filled with learning, cultural exchange, and meaningful connections.

This was my first volunteering job, and my duties included working with children, assisting the teachers, and taking part in various workshops organized by the hosting organization. I was excited to begin, although I naturally had some concerns about how things would go with the children.

It was a completely new experience for me, and at times, I questioned whether I had made the right decision—especially because of the language barrier. Still, I hoped everything would turn out well, because I truly believed that we often learn more from children than we realize. Sometimes in life, we need to step back and see the world through a child’s eyes.

Interacting with the children and teachers turned out to be a joy. They constantly filled the days with positive energy through fun and engaging activities. Over time, I became more comfortable around the children, and it even became an enjoyable way to learn the language, as they were always eager to teach me simple words.

I appreciated the people I met and the experience I gained so much—it was truly a wonderful journey. I learned a lot from this project and from everyone involved. I was especially happy to have had the opportunity to learn about new cultures and to share my own”.