Jeremy and Justine tell people about the Grundtvig Learner Workshop during a European Day fair in France

Justine and Jeremy at the European Day fair in Arras (France).

GLW Souvenir Poster on the left of the picture.

''It was a good experience to have and I was happy to participate in it.''

Jeremy



Jeremy and Justine, two french participants of the Grundtvig Learner Workshop ‘’Exchanging Dreams’’, participated last week in a European day in Arras (North of France). During this event they told people about their experience in UK.

Between the 7th and the 14th March 2011, they participated in an international workshop which involved 25 participants from 5 countries (France, Hungary, Italy, Sweden and the United Kingdom). During the week they took part in different workshops run by professionals in Leeds and Bradford. The participants learned about media and gained skills in photography, displaying exhibitions, editing video and soundtracks, creating a radio show and radio drama, all of which they will be able to use in the future. 

Jeremy particularly enjoyed the Radio workshop even if he thought it was ‘’ a little bit stressful’’. He said that it was ‘’a good experience to have’’ and that he was ‘’happy to participate in it’’. Justine, 22 years old, enjoyed the photography workshop, to ‘’learn how to use a camera, discover new landscapes, take pictures of the other participants and to build souvenirs’’.

‘Exchanging Dreams’ is a Grundtvig Learner Workshop organised by Everything is Possible and supported by the Lifelong Learning Programme of the European Union and ECORYS UK.

For more information, visit the official ‘Exchanging Dreams’ Blog where you can discover the week through a video, but also the participants’ videos realised during the video editing workshop and other productions and testimonies:  http://epexchangingdreams.blogspot.com/

Jamie, Short Term trainee in Malta

"Working with cats isn’t my best example of best job as I don’t really like them but animals is my passion. I want to be a vet in the future and this experience has given me the chance to hopefully making my future bright working with animals."

Jamie, trainee in Malta.

My name is Jamie Watts, I come from Halifax, West Yorkshire. I did a Leonardo because it was my first time abroad and I wanted to experience life out of England. For my project I went to Malta, which is an island off the coast of Italy; I stayed there for two months and one week. For my work I volunteered at Tomiseera National Cat Society which there I cleaned, groomed and fed the cats. During this experience I have to admit I enjoyed it more being there without no worries to summit up. in one word I would have to say it was amazing! Working with cats isn’t my best example of best job as I don’t really like them but animals is my passion. I want to be a veterinary in the future and this experience has given me the chance to hopefully making my future bright working with animals.

Jamie, trainee in Malta.

This project has been funded with support from the European Commission (Lifelong Learning Programme). This testimony reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

TESTIMONY from Alex, Long Term Volunteer in Costa Rica

''During my first week I was introduced to the most common tasks to expect including watering plants, raking leaves and other general gardening tasks. I was also allowed the time to explore the trails and use the andarivel (a zip-line going across a small valley). After the first week the tasks have become more varied with the cutting down of trees, planting new plants, building a new compost shelter and also some vegetable patches among other things.''

Alex, Volunteer in Costa Rica

After being picked up from the airport and driving through San José to the ACI (host organisation) office the excitement of being half the way across the world and of the six month adventure ahead really began to sink in. Although exhausted after the long journey I couldn’t help but try and take in every sight and every sound. First impressions of my host family and house in San José were really good – with a fantastic night time view over the city greeting me on my arrival.

Before getting to explore San José I was whisked off for an induction weekend, in a place called Orotina, with my fellow new volunteers and others who had already been in Costa Rica for about 6 months. The location was beautiful and spending the weekend getting to know new people and having fun, games and parties just added to my existing excitement.

On returning to San José, I then had two more weeks of orientation and Spanish lessons before heading off to my project. Spanish lessons were for three hours every afternoon and the evenings were filled with activities such as a film night, dancing and football. Although enjoying my time in San José nearing the end of the two weeks my enthusiasm to get to my project and start working had grown, especially after being given a presentation on exactly what it would be like.

Before leaving for our respective projects, ACI had a leaving party for the volunteers, thoughtfully organised the night before I had to leave at 5 in the morning to travel to my project. Leaving the city life of San José and travelling through the mountains and the central valley was my first real experience of the real Costa Rica – beautiful countryside, rolling hills and dodgy roads.

The first impression of my new home, Quebradas, was of just how ‘tranquilo’ it was. Far removed from the busy city of the past two weeks it was nice to be able to walk down the street and hear only wildlife and breathe fresh air. My new host family were better than I could have wished for – so welcoming and always wanting to do things for me. Treating me as a member of the family right away I felt right at home just with the temperature about 20 degrees higher than I’m used to in February.

With a couple of days until I officially began work on the biological reserve (FUDEBIOL) my host brother offered to take me and my fellow volunteer Andy to visit it and show us around. This was my first experience of ‘the hill’ – a 3km walk up the side of a mountain to get to work. I’d been informed of this before but wasn’t sure whether it had just been over exaggerated to prepare me for this walk 5 days a week for the next 5 months. Honestly, the first time wasn’t too bad. It wasn’t until the end of the first week that the prospect of walking up the hill after just waking up didn’t seem to appealing.

Although already having seen pictures, I was not ready for the treat that greeted me on arrival at FUDEBIOL for the first time. Such a picturesque location with views over the surrounding hills and down through the valley, a lagoon, a butterfly garden and a variety of interesting wildlife. Not to mention the five trails through tropical forest (one containing a waterfall) on which to explore the reserve even more.

Another bonus was that I would be answering to Jesus for the next 5 months. Jesus was my boss! A small, middle-aged Tico (Costa Rican) with a cheeky grin who, although not speaking too much English, was proficient in ‘Spanglish’ and would be watching over me for my stay in FUDEBIOL.

During my first week I was introduced to the most common tasks to expect including watering plants, raking leaves and other general gardening tasks. I was also allowed the time to explore the trails and use the andarivel (a zip-line going across a small valley). After the first week the tasks have become more varied with the cutting down of trees, planting new plants, building a new compost shelter and also some vegetable patches among other things.

As well as the work in FUDEBIOL I have also become involved in helping with the vegetable patch in the local school, going once a week to help the students with the growing of vegetables to be used in the school kitchen – not only educational and good fun for the students but a useful way for me to improve my Spanish.
After being in Costa Rica for about a month and a half I visited the Corcovado national park on the south pacific coast which was one of the most amazing places I’ve ever been to. Being billed as one of the most bio-diverse places on earth and the ‘real Costa Rica’ it definitely lived up to my expectations. Seeing Scarlet Macaws, Squirrel, White-faced and spider monkeys and a Tapir was without doubt reward for two days of gruelling hiking through rainforest and on beaches in blazing heat. My only disappointment was that I didn’t get to see the elusive puma.

I’ve since visited the beach in a place about 35km from where I live, on the pacific coast, called Dominical. It’s definitely not the nicest beach I’ve ever been to but the sea was amazingly powerful and warm and great for riding the waves.

Nearing the end of my first three months here and I was invited to take part in an international day promoting England with my fellow English volunteers from different projects. This entailed a full week of preparation in San José before a full day in which we had a room of our own to present our country. Coming joint fourth we won a bottle of red wine to share between 11 people and a T-shirt each. After a week in San José which I thoroughly enjoyed I was more than ready to return to Quebradas, which had become like home, and see my family again. 

Alex, Volunteer in Costa Rica

Project part of BREAKING BARRIERS
BUILDING PARTNERSHIP
and supported by EACEA

and the Youth in Action Programme

of the European Commission.

For more information about BREAKING BARRIERS BUILDING PARTNERSHIP, visit the special webapge in clicking here.



ARTICLE about Natalie who has volunteered in Uruguay

''I really enjoyed working with the children in the school and I would love to go back and do it again.''

click on the article to read it.

Project part of BREAKING BARRIERS
BUILDING PARTNERSHIP
and supported by EACEA

and the Youth in Action Programme

of the European Commission.

For more information about BREAKING BARRIERS BUILDING PARTNERSHIP, visit the special webapge in clicking here.

Testimony from Liz, Long Term volunteer in Peru

Liz teaching in the school

‘’I wanted to travel whilst experiencing something ‘real’. Everything is Possible gave me the opportunity to do so. Working on a project that benefits those living in the community where I’m staying made me feel like part of the culture rather than your average ‘gringo’. ''

Liz, volunteer in Peru.

Over the past 2 months I have been working as an EVS volunteer at SKIP, an NGO which works in the impoverished district of El Porvenir on the Northern Coast of Peru.  SKIP fosters the capacity of children and families to be the principal agents of change in their own lives, by providing a quality education to economically disadvantaged families from the local area. To achieve its aim SKIP works in the centre of El Porvenir, both with children aged between 4-16, providing extra classes in English, Maths, Communications, Art and Sport, alongside other initiatives to encourage adults to create and develop sustainable sources of income for themselves.

My role within SKIP has primarily been as a teacher to Primary School children.  This certainly has opened my eyes to a lot of the educational difficulties here in El Porvenir. One of the main realisations I’ve had is how lucky we are in England to have a curriculum that encourages independent thought, as a lot of the teaching methods in Peruvian schools involve mindless copying from the blackboard with no actual explanation of what is being taught. The children are constantly set homework by their schools that you would see a PhD Maths student avoiding and it’s not uncommon to see 7 year old children trying to work out the answer to what looks like Einstein’s doodle paper.

 As well as the learning about the education system here in Peru, it’s also given me a new-found respect for anyone that ever taught me at school! Being a teacher is far more difficult than I ever could have imagined. The endless hours I’ve spent preparing lessons that never turn out how they’ve been planned and the little resources we have available here can sometimes make you frustrated, but it’s the most amazing feeling when you deliver a great lesson. Nothing beats seeing your class understand something new for the first time and I’m slowly getting use to having children hanging off me at the end of the lesson, wanting to stay in class to learn some more.

Outside of teaching, I’ve also had some interesting experiences discovering Peruvian life. From eating many empanadas (the Peruvian version of a Cornish pasty) to tasting cuy (that’s guinea pig to me and you!). From salsa-ing with my two left feet, to trekking through the jungle for miles to swim in the bottom of a 2000ft waterfall. South America is a beautiful, crazy place that I will never forget. After all, there aren’t many countries where you can share a taxi with 10 other people whilst the aptly chosen song ‘I Will Survive’ is blasting out from the speakers.

So, what next? Well, when I eventually return to England I’m hoping to go back to study for my PGCE and train as a teacher; A decision which has been largely influenced by my time as an EVS volunteer. After this, well who knows? I hope to travel some more in the future and have some more crazy stories to share about my travels around the world and all the interesting people I’ve met along the way.

Liz, Volunteer in Peru

Project part of BREAKING BARRIERS
BUILDING PARTNERSHIP
and supported by EACEA

and the Youth in Action Programme

of the European Commission.

For more information about BREAKING BARRIERS BUILDING PARTNERSHIP, visit the special webapge in clicking here.



Welcome to our new short term volunteers from France and Spain!

Olivier, Anais, Stephanie, Luis with Bob, trainer and Short Term Facilitator of Everything is Possible.

4 new volunteers just arrived in Leeds for a 1 month EVS project. Olivier, Anais and Stephanie come from France and Luis comes from Spain. They will work for one month in an environmental project. They have just begun their on-arrival training.

Everything is Possible Team is happy to welcome our new short term volunteers!

 

Bob, trainer and short term facilitator of Everything is Possible, explaining to the group the role of the European Commission in the EVS programme and its funding.

First days of our trainees in Iceland.

Christopher, Jim, James, Nick and Amanda and Barbara from Everything is Possible

Our short term trainees Christopher, Jim, James, Nick and Amanda just arrived in Reykjavik (Iceland) accompanied by Barbara from Everything is Possible, who came to support them during the first week. They are taking part in a 4 weeks Leonardo project organised by the Environment Agency for the protection of the national parks . Trainees are gaining experience and skills in practical conservation, working closely with the local staff and other international volunteers.

This project has been funded with support from the European Commission and the trainee has been supported by Everything is Possible.

Christopher, short term trainee in Iceland, preparing the materials and getting ready to go to the National Park and start working.

Jim, another short term trainee, organising and cleaning the materials to use in the park.

Beca, Long Term volunteer in Peru

Beca giving English lessons

“Sometimes I forgot the reason why I came to volunteer, then I hear my name... The children with a smile in their faces open the door and say: ‘¡Hola profe!’ Then I feel I am back on track”

Beca, volunteer in Peru.

Project part of BREAKING BARRIERS
BUILDING PARTNERSHIP
and supported by EACEA

and the Youth in Action Programme

of the European Commission.

For more information about BREAKING BARRIERS BUILDING PARTNERSHIP, visit the special webapge in clicking here.

Alex, Long Term volunteer in Peru

Alex (in the middle) during his lessons

“Not many opportunities like this come up in life. The last 3 months have been a rollercoaster and I’m sure the best yet to come.”

Alex, volunteer in Peru.

Project part of BREAKING BARRIERS
BUILDING PARTNERSHIP
and supported by EACEA

and the Youth in Action Programme

of the European Commission.

For more information about BREAKING BARRIERS BUILDING PARTNERSHIP, visit the special webapge in clicking here.

Greg, Long Term volunteer in Peru

Greg during his job

“Volunteering at SKIP and life in Peru are both experiences I will never forget. It’s been great to be part of such a good project.”

Greg, volunteer in Peru.

Project part of BREAKING BARRIERS
BUILDING PARTNERSHIP
and supported by EACEA

and the Youth in Action Programme

of the European Commission.

For more information about BREAKING BARRIERS BUILDING PARTNERSHIP, visit the special webapge in clicking here.

Liz, Long Term volunteer in Peru

Liz teaching in the school

‘’I wanted to travel whilst experiencing something ‘real’. Everything is Possible gave me the opportunity to do so. Working on a project that benefits those living in the community where I’m staying made me feel like part of the culture rather than your average ‘gringo’. “

Liz, volunteer in Peru.

TESTIMONY from Andy, Long Term volunteer in Costa Rica

Andy in the Biological Reserve

“I'm working in a Biological Reserve called FUDEBIOL, surrounded by forest and mountains from where the Quebradas river flows. Duties include maintenance of the reserve, planting trees, cleaning the lagoon and following Jesus (the Park Ranger). We're encouraged to start projects of our own and I'm hoping to start a vegetable garden soon.”

''Only two months down and another four to look forward too. Don't think six months will be long enough...''

After a gruelling journey from Edinburgh via York, Leeds, London and Newark I finally reach San Jose in Costa Rica.

My first two weeks are spent learning Spanish in the city centre and getting to know the other volunteers. I've never met so many Germans in my life.. Even when I was in Germany! San Jose is definitely different from any other city I've been to before. Barbed wire on the top of every house and shop, gangs everywhere, no street names and crazy directions from Tico's (Costa Rican's) who can never say "I don't know." When looking for a particular building I'm often told something like "Find Taco Bell then look for the tallest tree and go East for three blocks."Every Tico will give you different directions for the same place!" While shopping in the San Pedro Mall I hear a few loud bangs. Everyone starts running and I'm locked inside a shop.Later I'm told that someone had robbed one of the shops with a gun. Five minutes later people are walking around like nothing happened.




After two weeks of being lost in San Jose I'm delighted to be finally sent to my project in Quebradas, four km North of the small town San Isidro. I arrive feeling rough after a party with the fellow volunteers. Memories of standing on stage in an elephant thong singing Happy Birthday to a German friend are etched on my mind forever along with some funky moves on the dance floor. Living in Quebradas is like living in a post-card.The views are amazing and the people are awesome. I love my new family, job, rabbit and the fact that women out number men nine to one here! San Isidro is a small town with a population of about 50,000 with a massive church in the middle making it impossible for even me to get lost. The small road North leads to my village Quebradas then a further three km up the mountain takes you into my work place for the next 6 months.

I'm working in a Biological Reserve called FUDEBIOL, surrounded by forest and mountains from where the Quebradas river flows. Duties include maintenance of the reserve, planting trees, cleaning the lagoon and following Jesus (the Park Ranger). We're encouraged to start projects of our own and I'm hoping to start a vegetable garden soon. I'm woken at five am every morning by a chorus of dogs of which I plan to eat at some point before I leave for Scotland. Especially my neighbours little mutt. The EXPO's in town. It's a popular event that travels through Costa Rica It's on TV all the time and everyone loves it. It's a kind of rodeo with people getting chased by bulls in an arena. The bulls aren't harmed and the event lasts for four hours with about 25-30 bulls at diferent times.I never knew how fast I can run until now!

I spent a weekend at Puerto Jimanez and The Corcovado National Park and see crocodiles, scarlet Macaws, squirrel monkeys, spider monkeys, white faced monkeys, tapir and a rare Jaguarundi. After eating snails, octopus and squid I'm ready to start a new day by eating bulls testicles. Not so easy to keep down! We're sunbathing on a long, flat stretch of grass in the middle of the rain forest which turns out to be a landing strip for a small plane that takes lazy people to the camp site. It's not everyday that your asked to move because there's a plane coming. I set off for Peru for three days where I stay in a five star hotel complete with swimming pool on the roof and a fantastic view of Lima's beach. I'm here for a meeting with my sending organisation to learn about other opportunities in volunteering and share our experiences with other people who have projects in Peru. It's so nice to have a hot shower and a bath. First I've had for two months. I spend my time in Lima looking like a NikNak because of one mental mosquito in Costa Rica the night before my flight.

The calm before the storm. Now I must leave for San Jose for my International presentation. I'm with a new family now and living with some of the other volunteers for a week while we prepare for a day of cultural exchange. I prepare a table for Scotland and include information about haggis, deep-fried Mars bar's, Nessie, Robert Burns, William Wallace, whisky, Scottish inventions and charge people for the pleasure of trying Soupa de Andy, shortbread, Irn Bru (Fanta with an Irn Bru label slapped on) and listening to my sweet, sweet voice destroying Flower O Scotland. At 11:00 and 13:30 I make my way to the auditorium to read To a Mouse by Robert Burns and sing Auld Lang Syne to groups of around 20. Alex copied the words down for me and managed to squeeze in the word "bum" to which I read out before noticing. Thanks man! I really wish someone would have told me earlier that while at my Scottish stall selling food, I was asking people in Spanish if they had a man, instead on if they are hungry. Hombre and hambre sound far too similar! After the madness that is San Jose I'm so glad to be returning home to San Isidro, my mountain retreat. Only two months down and another four to look forward too. Don't think six months will be long enough...

Andy, volunteer in Costa Rica.

Project part of BREAKING BARRIERS
BUILDING PARTNERSHIP
and supported by EACEA

and the Youth in Action Programme

of the European Commission.

For more information about BREAKING BARRIERS BUILDING PARTNERSHIP, visit the special webapge in clicking here.

TESTIMONY from Jordan, Long Term volunteer in Uruguay

Jordan giving english courses

“With Autumn came a return to Montevideo and the beginning of volunteering. This mostly consists of teaching English at a specialist language school, which with my limited knowledge of Spanish was un poco dificil, but has been helped by the friendly and welcoming attitude of all the students.”

The diet of chivitos (burgers stacked with everything the mind can think of) and empanadas (meat filled pastries) might feel like heaven at first..

I have been in Uruguay for 6 weeks, nearly a quarter of the way through my EVS placement. We arrived at the tail-end of summer, just in time for a week long national holiday that we spent travelling along Uruguay's beautiful Atlantic coast. Living with Uruguayan's in a beach house, going out at three in the morning for Carnaval, relaxing in small surfing villages, sharing mate: it was a great way to be introduced to the tranquilo culture here.

With Autumn came a return to Montevideo and the beginning of volunteering. This mostly consists of teaching English at a specialist language school, which with my limited knowledge of Spanish was un poco dificil, but has been helped by the friendly and welcoming attitude of all the students. I mostly teach through songs, journalism and stories that interest me, so lessons are almost always good. We are also starting a new project, Abriendo Puertas, to give disadvantaged children from certain barrios the chance to learn English, which should be a nice mix of challenging and rewarding.

Montevideo is an eclectic mix of the beautiful and the run-down, an old world Europe and an infringing America. There is an exciting cultural scene, cafes from a different era, the long walk on las ramblas that covers the city's coast with el Rio de la Plata. Its not the city I expected, but it has character and charm that slowly wins you over. It took little time to become integrated, spending nights at several Uruguayan's homes and cooking an assado, a beastly South American barbecue, on the Sunday just gone. I have been to the Estadio Centenario to see the famous Nacional play, where flares and fire mix with an electric ambience, to several art installations that take over whole houses, to see Uruguay's national orchestra play in Parque Rodo, to Buenos Aires for a long weekend.

Uruguay is still relaxing in the warm weather and seems to refuse to really start up until after Easter, so we will see what a (hopefully) sunny winter brings.

Jordan, volunteer in Uruguay.

Project part of BREAKING BARRIERS
BUILDING PARTNERSHIP
and supported by EACEA

and the Youth in Action Programme

of the European Commission.

For more information about BREAKING BARRIERS BUILDING PARTNERSHIP, visit the special webapge in clicking here.



Discover the MAY Turn Up the VOLume NEWSLETTER

Please, discover the Turn Up the VOLume NEWSLETTER of May, wrote by our new volunteer Annapina. You will find in this newsletter some information about Leeds, Bradford and London, and some advices about how to spend yoru free time:

- What's on: Day and Night
- Theatre, Music, Cinema and Art;

- Trips: Stratford Upon Avon and Nottingham;

- Recipe of the month: Apple Crumble by Noelia;

- 2 Portraits of the month: Tatiana and Paolo;
- Events.

To dicsover the newsletter please click on this link.

Turn Up the VOLume NEWSLETTER May 2011

You can also download see previous version, in clicking in one of these links:
Turn Up the VOLume NEWSLETTER April 2011

Turn Up the VOLume NEWSLETTER March 2011

Turn Up the VOLume NEWSLETTER February 2011

Turn Up the VOLume NEWSLETTER January 2011

Turn Up the VOLume NEWSLETTER December 2010