Waves III_Newsletter_vol.1_02-2020

October 2019 - February 2020

Issue I

EUROPEAN SOLIDARITY CORPS ΕΥΡΩΠΑΪΚΟ ΣΩΜΑ ΑΛΛΗΛΕΓΓΥΗΣ KEKPA-DIEK of the Municipality of Volos, Greece www.kekpa.gr

Waves III volunteers in Volos

European Solidarity Corps (ESC) Charter Participating organisations shall: * identify clearly which activities are relevant to the ESC initiative and make sure that they are carried out in compliance with this charter; * (pre-) select and recruit ESC participants in compliance with the principles of equal treatment, equal opportunities and non-discrimination; * seek to empower ESC participants by valuing their skills and experience while engaging them in their activities, fostering their personal, socio-educational and professional development; * ensure that the environment and conditions in which the activities are performed are safe and decent; * provide adequate training or support to help ESC participants fulfil their tasks; * not request or require any financial contribution or fee from ESC participants; * providing ESC participants, when applicable, with the agreed allowances in a timely manner; * process personal data of the ESC participants in full compliance with European and national legislation on data protection; * ensure that the support to the organisation's activities by the ESC participants is adequately made visible and recognised.

Before the deployment in the field: * ensure that the European Solidarity Corps participants receive detailed information about the initiative and the task they are asked to carry out; * ensure that participants have the necessary rights or permissions to be in the country where the placement takes place, for the entire duration of the activity; * ensure that the European Solidarity Corps participants are covered by the appropriate insurance and that they are made aware of the arrangements that are in place to ensure their safety and wellbeing; * in case of occupational activities, ensure that the specific conditions and benefits of the European Solidarity Corps initiative are respected under the employment contract.

During the deployment in the field: * offer support, supervision and guidance (for volunteering activities) or access to support and assistance (for occupational activities) to the European Solidarity Corps participants by experienced staff; * take into account the different linguistic and cultural background of the European Solidarity Corps participants and put in place measures that facilitate their integration into the local community of deployment; * facilitate contacts with other European Solidarity Corps participants active in the same area.

After the deployment in the field: * issue a certificate to each European Solidarity Corps participant.

Modalities for selection & recruitment of participants: * once the organisation is able to make a concrete offer for a placement, it should access the European Solidarity Corps portal to search the database and select the most suitable candidate(s) for the activity in question; * the organisation may decide to interview the candidate to know more about her/his profile and motivation.

Contents Waves III volunteers in Volos

1

Some words for European Solidarity Corps

2

Gulnar MIKAYILLI

3

Sasha OSTASH

4

Daily life in KEKPA-DIEK and in Volos

With WAVES III, KEKPA-DIEK continues her long-term engagement in projects that host young volunteers from member-countries of EU and countries neighbouring EU. Within WAVES III, KEKPA-DIEK acts as a coordinating and hosting organisation WAVES III comes after the previous 2 WAVES projects under Erasmus+ 2014-20, i.e. ‘We Are Volos' EvS I - WAVES I’ and ‘We Are Volos' EvS II - WAVES II’. Someone can find more on these previous projects in the following links: KEKPA-DIEK webpage for both WAVES I & II: https:// www.kekpa.gr/el/programmata/101-diakratika-erga/evropprogrammata-2014-2020/erasmus Erasmus+ Project Results for WAVES I: https://ec.europa.eu/ programmes/erasmus-plus/projects/eplus-project-details/ #project/2016-3-EL02-KA105-002832 Erasmus+ Project Results for WAVES II: https://ec.europa.eu/ programmes/erasmus-plus/projects/eplus-project-details/ #project/2017-3-EL02-KA105-003558 (**the project WAVES II is mentioned in the Erasmus+ Project Results platform of the European Union as a “Good Practice example” ! )

5-7

Local community

8

Greek lessons

9

On arrival training

10-11

Free time

12-18

Contact

In 2019 KEKPA-DIEK initiated a new project to host volunteers from the European Union and from countries neighbouring European Union, named ‘We Are Volos' EvS III (WAVES III)’ under the new European Union initiative, ESC - European Solidarity Corps 2018-20

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1

Issue I

October 2019 - February 2020

Some words for European Solidarity Corps The new initiative European Solidarity Corps: Volunteering Activities replaced the past one, EVS -European Voluntary Service under Erasmus+ 2014-20.

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

After participating in a project you will be entitled to receive a certificate that documents your participation. You could use this when applying for jobs or further learning

Taking part in a European Solidarity Corps project will be a significant achievement for any young person. It will be an asset when applying for a job and it will help you when you apply for higher education.

The European Solidarity Corps could be a new opportunity for you to engage in a meaningful activity which could prove to be a stepping stone into employment

As well as being useful for your future career prospects, European Solidarity Corps you will receive a package of other benefits, which will vary depending on the type of project that you undertake. It will also depend on whether you are participating in the Volunteering or Occupational parts of the Corps

If you decide to volunteer, you will not receive a wage, but will on the other hand be entitled to travel, lodging and subsistence as well as insurance coverage for the duration of the activity.

You will receive relevant training before you start and after you arrive on site

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Issue I

Gulnar MIKAYILLI

October 2019 - February 2020

Azerbaij

an

Gulnar is 23 years old and she comes from Baku in Azerbaijan. She has a bachelor in Mechanical Engineering. She also has a great experience as an English teacher. In her letter of motivation for a placement under European Solidarity Corps, Gulnar mentioned her love for Greece, its language, its history, its people…. she also noted that in Greece she will be able to do the best for her, for humanity, for society and for community …. Gulnar started her ESC placement in October 2019 and she will be in Volos for 12 months.

Sending organisation

Bridge to the Future Youth Union Address: 28 May str. 34, Ganja city Youth House, (Haydar Aliyev Park-Complex), Ganja, Azerbaijan

http://www.bfngo.az ; Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bfngo

Bridge to the Future Youth Union (Union) - is a national Non-Governmental Organization established in April 2000 by youth initiative. Union is a legal member of international youth organizations and networks such as Youth for Exchange and Understanding (YEU) and Human Rights for Education Youth Network, and its members are represented on their boards. Our head office is located in Ganja, from which we coordinate our entire network of over 380 members and more than 800 volunteers from all parts of Azerbaijan involved in our activities. In the past, Union has cooperated with Germany, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Ukraine, Georgia, Turkey, Netherlands, Italy, Spain, Serbia, Hungary, Belgium and France on an international level. Most of our local and international projects have been supported by the Council of Europe, USAID (through Counterpart International and Save the Children), and by other donor organizations. At the same time, Union is closely cooperating with the national Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan, especially the Ministry of Youth and Sport and its local department, the Ganja Youth and Sport Head Office. On more than one occasion, Union has been awarded for its significant role in development of the youth sector in Azerbaijan and Europe.

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Issue I

Sasha OSTASH

October 2019 - February 2020

Russian

Federatio

n

Sasha (Aleksandra) is 23 years old and comes from Sergiev Posad, Moscow region, in Russian Federation. Sasha has a bachelor in Geology. She has also experience in children’s camps, as a teacher, etc. ESC placement in Volos is a way for Sasha to start a new chapter in her life, a chance to share her knowledge and help those who are in need. She believes that volunteering is a kind of life-school, an opportunity to meet people. Sasha loves to work with teens and youngsters. ESC placement will help her to learn a new country and its culture, to get skills and …. “dispel the myth about her country”…. Sasha started her ESC placement in October 2019 and she will be in Volos for 10 months.

Sending organisation

SFERA Movement Address: Piskunova str., 27, 603005, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia

https://www.dobrovolets.ru ; https://www.facebook.com/SFERA.RUS/

SFERA Movement is engaged in international voluntary projects since 2007. We offer an opportunity to go to any country for a duration of between two weeks to a year and we also coordinate voluntary projects in Russia. We work with volunteers from all regions of Russia and Kazakhstan. Becoming an international volunteer is simple, and we have already helped more than 5 000 people to gain this experience. Join now!

Mission of our organization is to create equal opportunities for self-realization and satisfaction of the public needs of all people through volunteering and charity.

SFERA Movement has been working in the field of development of international initiatives with the participation of Russian youth since 2007 and is a member of the Alliance of European Voluntary Service Organizations, the Coordinating Committee for International Voluntary Service at UNESCO, National Youth Council of Russia, implementing a number of projects with the support of the Council of Europe. Also, SFERA Movement actively works with the Erasmus+ program and European Solidarity Corps and advises on the implementation of Erasmus+ Youth projects and participation in them (for more details click here). Full membership in the Alliance of European Voluntary Service Organizations allows us to ensure a high quality of projects for which we send our participants as well as projects with foreign volunteers implemented in Russia.

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Issue I

October 2019 - February 2020

Daily life in KEKPA-DIEK and in Volos ha

Sas

In October 2019, I finally arrived in Volos and started my ESC project. KEKPA-DIEK has a lot of structures and I had to choose those that make me feel comfortable. ADer a month of trying all of them, I finally made a decision. To be honest, I couldn’t expect myself working with Roma children in Romas Support Center in Aliveri ! There I help educators to carry the classes. We do a lot hand made things, someMmes we cook something simple, play interac<ve games and also I help them with sewing. During the first months I couldn’t understand a word from Greek speech except words like “he”, “she”, “this” and “that”, so it was quite hard to communicate with children. Now I surprise them saying Greek words unexpectedly what make them smile !!

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Issue I

October 2019 - February 2020

Daily life in KEKPA-DIEK and in Volos ha

Sas

Once we cooked Russian salad which is called Olivie in my country. I also went to local hospital to wish Merry Christmas to children who stay there, I visited the museum of dinosaurs, I draw

portraits of Frida Kahlo and Anna Frank, I made some thematic banners and not going to stop – next time I will teach them how to make a traditional old-Russian doll and how to cook traditional pancakes.

KEKPA-DIEKs staff in Romas Support Center are very supportive persons. They are always ready to talk to me and give an advice even though some of them don’t speak English very good but this encourages me to keep learning Greek.

Once a week I work with our first mentor Nikoleta in Heliotropia.

There we help the group of people with disabilities with making handmade decorations for every holiday: New Year, Christmas, St. Valentine’s day. Now we are getting ready for Easter making decoupage, painting clay figures for Easter.

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Issue I

October 2019 - February 2020

Daily life in KEKPA-DIEK and in Volos

nar l u G

Since October 2019 with the help of coordinator and mentor I have visited a lot of workplaces got a chance to know a lot of structures and employees of KEKPA-DIEK. ADer this period ďŹ nally, I decided which structure I want to work for. They were the ones I felt cozy with the place and the people there. Since October I have been working in KDAP Neapoli, Children Crea<ve Ac<vi<es Centre. This place is an aDer-school place where children spend Mme learning and having fun. These fun and educaMve acMviMes include poUery, drawing, theatre, music classes. I should menMon our big library! Here children can ďŹ nd any kind of book from local and foreign authors.

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October 2019 - February 2020

Issue I

Local community a

h Sas

Volos is very comfortable city where we can find everything from daily needs to resMng. There are some unusual shops and museums, taverns to drink tsipouro (alcohol drink) and cafes with good coffee and hot chocolate.

Volos is also surrounded by really beauMful nature. We can watch the sunset from different places and each of them will be unique – from a village in Pelion, from Goritsa and simply si[ng on the seashore. We feel safe and calm here. Only living in Greece it is possible to understand their principle of “sigá-sigá” (in a slow pace)….

Greek people are very friendly and emoMonal. At the beginning it was hard enough to understand if people were just talking or arguing. Besides, they are very supporMve and always ready to help to find a place you need or to choose the best products in the shop. They are not afraid of foreigners and all the Mme they try to know everything about you. For Greek people family bonds are very important that’s why they spend a lot of Mme with their parents and relaMves.

But the main thing that is actually impossible to get used to is slowness. And it comes out in everything and especially when we waited for technicians to fix the problem: the plumber came one hour later than he promised, the electrician was 1.5 late. “Ok, we are in Greece” is the only explanaMon so we weren’t obsessed with it more than we should…

nar l u G Greece was my dream country from my childhood and it didn’t let my expectations down. Volos is an amazing place to live in. Especially for someone who has lived in a crowded, noisy city for 22 years, Volos is just a blessing. The city is so peaceful and calm. While walking or cycling to work you enjoy the sea as it is a coastal city. Food is one of the best parts of living here. Greeks know what to eat and how to eat.

I never felt I am far away from my hometown. The locals won’t let you feel excluded at all. They are pretty friendly. When I go to a supermarket, or just to get a “gyros” they try to talk to you, get to know you, sometimes ask some words from your language. Here whatever you get, something extra comes with it. For example, if you buy vegetables from grocery, they will tell a traditional recipe to cook with those vegetables. It is impossible not to adore these people!

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October 2019 - February 2020

Issue I

Greek lessons a

h Sas

We aUend Greek classes for Erasmus students in local university. This course is really helpful for beginners. Greek alphabet wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t a big problem for us because it has a lot of common with Cyrillic which we both know. Our teacher Maria tells us a lot about Volos, Greek culture and Greek food. Together with her and other students we tried local Greek yogurt and diďŹ&#x20AC;erent kinds of chees, order gyros using only Greek language, learned about masMha and tasted sweets with it, drank tsipuro and ate seafood.

It is also very good that we joined Greek classes from the beginning of our project. Here we met Erasmus students and took part in their meeMngs. Now next semester has started so most of students went back home and now we join the new ones.

Facebook group: UTH Greek for Erasmus Students https://www.facebook.com/groups/ 536873176663216/

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October 2019 - February 2020

Issue I

On arrival training Participants

Trainers

KO

IOTIS

SPAT

ARG YRIS CHO ULIA S

INOS

NT NSTA

28 from all over Greece

Sasha

&

Gulnar

23-28/11/2019 Thessaloniki (CAPSIS Hotel)

The training aimed to introduce the hosting country and the projects’ environment to incoming volunteers and to empower them so that they cope with the challenges that will occur during their stay and activation. The training objectives were: - to get to know each other but also to get acquainted with other actors related to the ESC programme in Greece (National Agency, trainers), - to bring volunteers in a primary contact with Greek cultural characteristics, - to create an “informal” volunteers’ network that will constitute a means for mutual support and exchange of experience during their project, - to foster communication skills (language training, interculturality and conflict resolution) so that integration of the volunteers in the local community is accelerated and the odds of success of the project are increased, - to provide participants with space and support for reflection on their future as volunteers and, as well, for the setting up of an“action plan” as a “compass” for the results that are sought after by each individual, - to exchange “first” experiences with regards to the volunteers’ receiving projects, - to be aware of how to deal with cultural differences and with conflicts

Gulnar One month after my arrival, I attended an arrival training in Thessaloniki. Thessaloniki is one of the most beautiful cities in Greece. In the beginning, I was really happy to get a chance to travel to Thessaloniki again, but I didn’t know that I will meet all those great people that the city will be more valuable to me. In this training, I met a lot of volunteers who are doing their projects all around Greece.

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October 2019 - February 2020

Issue I

On arrival training

Participants of on-arrival training

Sasha and Gulnar presentation during the on-arrival training

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October 2019 - February 2020

Issue I

Free time

Sasha Meteora

Xanthi

Travelling in Greece is not cheap that’s why I didn’t do it a lot. Thanks to local Erasmus+ students from the University of Thessaly, I visited Meteora (meaning: ‘Monasteries’ suspended in the air) – unique place with breathtaking views. I even didn’t know that this kind of churches can exist. We took plenty of photos and enjoyed the nature there. Also I travelled to Xanthi to my friend who studies there. Every Greek town has its own atmosphere and cosiness but locals are always friendly. Here I met a woman which takes care of the church. She was born in USSR but later she repatriated. She is the first person here in Greece who talked to in Russian.

Gulnar ‘Kordoni’, Volos coast

Volos from Goritsa hill

Dimini village, Volos

In my free time here in Volos, I walk to ‘kordoni’ (the wave barrier in the central coast of Volos) which is the spot for a lot of people to gather, talk, and fish. Goritsa hill in Volos which is a perfect place to watch the sunset and running but I am not a sporty person so I just enjoy the sunset. You can also visit the small villages near Volos like Dimini or Makrinitsa on Pelion. There the things I enjoyed most were the fresh air and the so delicious apples.

Of course, every person should go to a ‘tsipouradiko’ ( once at least in their life. It is a great place to spend some free time, you can enjoy delicious ‘mezedes’, dishes which are served free with ‘tsipouro’ or ‘ouzo’. It is pretty exciting to wait for your surprise meze! If you are lucky you will meet lovely old people who are singing and dancing there.

Besides enjoying Volos, I got free time to travel out of the city too. I visited Athens, Thessaloniki, Istanbul and a few cities in Hungary as well.

Makrinista, Pelion ‘balcony’

Mezedes in tsipouradiko

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October 2019 - February 2020

Issue I

Free time

Pagasitikos Gulf, Volos

Volos

Roof-tile and Brickworks Museum of Tsalapata, Volos, Greece

Mete ora

Meteora rocks, Kalampaka, Greece

Meteora rocks, Kalampaka, Greece

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October 2019 - February 2020

Issue I

Free time

Volos tastes

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Issue I

October 2019 - February 2020

Free time lion Makrinitsa, Pe

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Issue I

Free time

October 2019 - February 2020

Volos city

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October 2019 - February 2020

Issue I

Free time

nar l u G

Athens city

Parthenon temple on Acropolis, Athens, Greece

Herodion (Odeon of Herodes Atticus), Athens, Greece

Zappeion Megaron, Athens, Greece

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Issue I

October 2019 - February 2020

Free time Sasha ESC program gives not only opportunity to implement your own ideas but also opportunity to travel and explore other countries. If you take part in ESC once, Jordan 19-26.11.2018 you will become part of this community. During my project I travelled to countries where I already had friends from my last project or where I found another ESC volunteer from my country. Together with Gulnar and her friends we celebrated New Year in Pec, Hungary. I always wanted to do it not in homecountry and finally it happened. I met my friends in Budapest who showed me around.

In Vein I tried couch-surfing for the first Mme in my life and this experience was successful. My coach was born in Russia and here I felt like at home. I really liked the city for its architecture, friendly atmosphere and food.

In Bra<slava I met another Russian ESC volunteer. Her project is about spreading among local teenagers and young people informaMon about volunteering, internaMonal projects and opportuniMes in their country. I was really happy to meet someone who is in the same boat as I. We shared our thoughts about projects, our posiMve and negaMve episodes. It is important to know someone who already experienced what you cannot solve now.

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Issue I

October 2019 - February 2020

Contact Some words for KEKPA-DIEK KEKPA-DIEK, i.e. the Municipal Social Enterprise of Social Protection & Solidarity-Municipal Institute of Vocational Training, of the Municipality of Volos has been established in July 2011 after the merger of 8 previous municipal enterprises of social profile (from 8 municipal units: Volos, Nea Ionia, Nea Aghialos, Aisonia, Portaria, Agria, and Artemida) and of DIEK, the municipal institute of vocational training of Volos. Its main domain of interventions focuses on the new metropolitan Municipality of Volos’ support in scheduling, realising, monitoring and assessing its social policy mainly through projects that KEKPA-DIEK operates. According to its Statutes KEKPA-DIEK is being divided into 2 main domains as its name also indicates: (1) Social Welfare (KEKPA) (www.kekpa.gr), and (2) Vocational Training (DIEK) (www.diek.gr). KEKPADIEK targets towards all residents of Volos city-block, with a special emphasis on those who are living below the limit of poverty, on immigrants, Roma, people with disabilities, the elderly, homeless, and in general people who require a special care and attention. KEKPA-DIEK runs a series of structures and services that support and reinforce its objectives (see in the last page a brief list of them). All these structures are being co-financed in their majority by EU funds through the National Strategic Reference Framework (NSRF) 2014-2020 for Greece.

KEKPA-DIEK central premises 22-26 Prousis & Magnesias, Ν.Ionia Volos, GREECE Tel: +30 24210 66208, 29908, 63374 Fax: +30 24210 22448 Email: info@kekpa.gr URL: http://www.kekpa.gr KEKPA-DIEKs Projects unit 11A Makedonias, Ν.Ionia VOLOS. Tel: +30 24210 61600 Fax: +30 24210 61664 KEKPA-DIEKs Youth projects office (coordinator & mentor) 12 Limnou & Elassonos, Palaia, Volos, (1st floor) Tel/ Fax: +30 24210 35555 Email: evs_kekpadiek@hotmail.com Volunteers emails Sasha OSTASH a.ost71996@gmail.com Gulnar MIKAYILLI gulnarmikayil@icloud.com

KEKPA-DIEK has a long-term experience in coordinating, receiving and sending volunteers within EUs Youth in Action 2007-13 and EUs Erasmus+ Youth 2014-20.

Until today, KEKPA-DIEK has hosted in Volos 40 volunteers and has sent abroad 2 Greek volunteers.

All texts and photos have been contributed by the volunteers, the ESC Guide, the ESC website, other projects websites, and the Planning Office of KEKPA-DIEK. The layout of the newsletter has been elaborated by the Planning Office of KEKPA-DIEK

© 2020, KEKPA-DIEK of the Municipality of Volos

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