Hello! My name is Anastasia and I am currently studying in Thessaloniki. This past June, I decided to take a break from my daily routine and applied for the "Create & Care" project through USB NGO. The project involved hosting creative activities for kids while living right next to the forest in Berchum, Germany. Before I knew it, my application was accepted, my suitcase was packed and I was on a plane to Hagen!
From the moment I met the other volunteers, I knew it would be an incredible experience. We spent our first few days getting to know each other, exchanging ideas and planning fun activities for our upcoming kindergarten visits.
Our first stop was "Kita Elaphi," a Greek-German kindergarten. We made bracelets, drew and played many games. Being Greek myself, I felt an instant connection with both the children and the teachers. We also visited a German kindergarten in Berchum, which was located near the forest. Despite the language barrier and the young age of the pupils, we connected through nature bingo, tag and games in the woods.
During our second week, we visited a local Yezidi youth community to play board games, talk and hang out with teenagers. We spent the rest of the week prepping for a community festival for children. Working in teams, we set up craft and game stations, cooked traditional dishes from our home countries and took a fun cultural quiz. The festival was a big success; the kids loved the activities and everyone enjoyed the homemade food!
Co-living with nearly 20 people, sharing laughs during breaks and exploring new places made this an unforgettable journey. A month has passed since I returned, but these memories still make me smile every time my mind goes back to Hagen.
If you ever have the chance to join a European Solidarity Corps program, just go for it! You’ll learn new skills, explore new places and build lifelong friendships. A huge thank you to my sending organization, USB NGO and the host team at East-Weat-East for this incredible opportunity and for supporting me every step of the way. I am already planning my next journey with the European Solidarity Corps !