Medea kiknadze is a Georgian volunteer who joined in Poland, at POLITES ASSOCIATION carried out her long-term European Solidarity Corps project funded by the European Solidarity Corps programme of the European Union. Read more about his experience below:

“Completing my 10-month volunteering journey with the ActiveEurope program has been one of the most valuable experiences of my life.

The first two months were especially challenging. I had to adapt to a completely new environment, face unfamiliar obstacles, and deal with new life experiences. This was my first time volunteering abroad, and leaving my home, my country, and my family for ten months was emotionally difficult. For the first time, I had to rely entirely on myself.

Beyond working with children, this volunteering project gave me the opportunity to meet people from different cultures, each with their own interests, perspectives, and ways of life. Of course, there were communication challenges at times, but fortunately, they were always manageable and became opportunities to learn and grow.

In addition to living in the host city, we also had the chance to participate in one-week training courses in Toruń and Warsaw. There, I met volunteers from other projects, exchanged experiences, learned about different volunteering initiatives, and gained a deeper understanding of various cultures.

Looking back, I am truly grateful for this experience. It pushed me out of my comfort zone, helped me overcome many personal and practical challenges, and allowed me to grow both personally and professionally.

I would also like to express my sincere gratitude to Bitisi for being my support organization. They believed in me and supported my participation in this project when no one else was willing to do so.

I highly recommend participating in a volunteering program like this to everyone. Not only will you have the opportunity to help others and create unforgettable memories, but you will also challenge yourself, discover your strengths, and learn valuable life lessons that will stay with you long after the project ends.”