Relacja z wolontariatu w Portugalii w ramach Europejskiego Korpusu Solidarności. Projekt Rethink, Reshape and Awake the Community.

1. My European
Solidarity Corps
Experience
Martyna Michalowska

2. Beginning
When I was a student, I heard many times about Erasmus
projects, but I never took part in any. Till last year. Two years
ago, when I moved to Warsaw I met a friend, who introduced
to me topic of Training Courses and European Solidarity Corps.
Last year was my last chance, because this year I turned 30
y.o.
I decided to go to beautiful Portugal to help local society.

3. I chose this project because I would like to
learn how to make a positive difference in
a society, to help people to have a new life
opportunities. This project is also a great
opportunity to develop new skills for
example about creating videos and arts or
preparing workshops and work with young
people. I decided for project in Portugal
because it seems like very challenging
because of language barrier and very
different life style. I would like to learn
about new culture, to learn Portuguese
language, and also to use my skills and
knowledge to have an impact on society
around.

4. My main tasks to do in organisation
One of my main task was to create tutorials videos
for youtube. I was very happy when I could create
them about program I like, for example Excel. It was
also a challenge for me to learn how to use
Camtasia and Photoshop, and also because I
started with short and simple videos in english but
at the end, I made long and more advanced videos
in portuguese!
My other tasks to do were going with Nuno to help
him with workshops he prepared for schools and
municipality too.
Writing a post on a blog, one post per week. What
was nice and I didnt expect that, is the fact that I
started to write it in english but at the end I was
able to write it in portuguese.
Helping with workshops for seniors. It was very
heartwarming to see all of them, like grandparents,
ready to learn something new like downloading an
app, making video calls or printing documents. And
I'm very happy I could help them to follow
instructions and talk a bit.

5. Workshops
We had three kind of workshops:
● Workshops for young people
● Workshops for local society
● Jah Moment

6. Mostly I was going with Nuno to schools to help with with
workshops for teenagers. My job was to help preparing the
place, take pictures, take part in some activities and also
very important at the end of almost all workshops was that
I had some minutes to share about my experience, my
reasons why I chose to go for this project, and in general I
had opportunity to tell young people why it is important
and useful to go for it. At the end they could ask me
questions and we had very nice talks and discussions!
Organisation was a host for some amazing workshops for
young people not only at schools, but also in the office. One
of them it was about creating CV and thinking about future
and career. What was interesting one of those workshop
was based on past life experiences. Through this, it was
possible to get to know ourselves better and be ready to
looking for an answer about future plans.
Workshops for young people

7. Workshops which weren't for young people but
for example for seniors. We helped them to learn
how to use computers and their phones so they
could print some documents or informations they
need or they could make a video call with their
loved ones.
We were also going with workshops to very poor
neighborhood to help unemployed people to
think about their abilities, skills and help them to
prepare own CV. It was very challenging for me,
because of language barrier but also because they
are young but really didnt know how about
looking for a job or creating a CV.
Workshops for local society

8. It is project of workshops for young people, which also we volunteer prepared
but also we could take part in this. It is to build awareness of young people
about world, sustainability and more independents ways of living. For first day
of it there were 4 different activities; Eurodesk, Arduino Workshop, Yoga
Workshop and Workshop about Poland (which I prepared). During second
session of workshops there we had a photography, sewing and pin machine
and even 3D printer workshop. The idea is to help young people to try new
things, to inspire them to try and to create a safe space for them to express
their creativity and artistic needs. This project just started and it is going to be
really big and well done event in the future!
Jah Moment

9. My daily routine
As a volunteer I started my work at 10am. So I was always in the
office this time. Usually I was working using computer, creating
some tutorial videos, which later went uploaded on youtube
channel of my host organisation. I had one hour of break during
work so or i went home to prepare food or I went with others
volunteers to park to sit and enjoy the nature and our talks. On
some days we had portuguese classes, so first thing in the morning
was to go to school to meet a teacher and spend time learning
portuguese. Sometimes my days didn't look so calm because I had
to go with Nuno to schools, so it got more chaotic, for example
some workshops at schools started at 8 am or at 3pm. Anyway,
there was always something to do and time passed very fast!

10. Free time
Mosty after work we shopping or during hot days we went home to rest. When the weather was enjoyable we usually
go to visit Lisbon, sit in our favorite miradouro and talks for hours. Me and other volunteers really like travel cheap, so
we visited cities close to Almada and Lisbon. We took many beautiful pictures and we have amazing memories. My
favorites places are Costa da Caparica beach, which is an amazing beach, together with others it takes 26 km. Other
good place to relax is Ginjal in Almada, place with great view of LIsbon, Tejo and 25th april bridge.

11. Other amazing way to enjoy Lisbon is going to museums,
concerts and parks. I loved Berardo Museum, National Azulejos
Museum and also our tradition of thursday jazz concert nights
in the oldest jazz club in Lisbon!

12. Lisbon and surroundings

13. It is also very important to mention how different portuguese people
are. And who we can call portuguese people. Portugal is very open
and open minded country. On the street you will see every skin color,
people of all genders, all sexual orientations, many artist wearing
own designed and colorful clothing, many punk and rock and roll
lovers, and also many simple, people of every race. I felt there so
safe and inspired by people on the street. By their appearance,
energy but also how kind and tolerant they are. It could be an great
example of a country who united all races and all people of the
world.

14. Portuguese classes
During my project I had opportunity to learn local language. Before
coming to Portugal I knew some words which I learned for my short
trips to Brazil. When I arrived, I was really surprised how different this
language is in Portugal and in Brazil! Almost like two different
languages. But i got an amazing opportunity to learn it. I could use
app, which I downloaded on my phone, but also organisation assured
me portuguese classes. In the beginning I had them twice per week.
Later the organisation agreed to have it three times per week. This
beautiful woman from picture was a teacher, the best teacher I could
ever wanted. She is so lovely, patience and funny! I miss her so much!
Saudades de você!

15. Friendships
Im very thankful for opportunity to meet such an amazing
people! During this project I met other volunteers, which
are very creative, talented and open minded. I really
enjoyed spending time with those young people. It was
great opportunity to share a flat with Anna and Mimi, to
get to know Gonçalo. I also create a connection with one
ex volunteer, who is currently living in Portugal - Magda. I
got to know people from different countries: Brazil,
Mexico, Germany, Norway, Macedonia, Austria. We
created beautiful memories which will always stay with
me!

16. I just mentioned the most important things and my
memories, but there is much more reasons to go for this
project. I really recommend to get involved and try, it will
be unforgettable experience!