Our dears.....Ex VoluntEErs!

Hello!!

I am Isabelle from Düsseldorf,Germany. And I came here to Greece at the beginning of July 2011 and I will stay until the end of March 2012.

I chosed to do EVS because I wanted to get a deeper insight in the "everday life" of an other country and its culture. Also for me it sounds interesting to make connections with other young people from different countries and to learn a new language. Besides of this, it was for me also important, to get some work experience before I will decide what I want to do when I go back to Germany.

I was never before in Greece, but for me Greece seemed to be really atractive because of it warm weather and because of its beautiful islands, cities and landcapes. Also I chosed Greece because it seemed to be so different than Germany and I wanted to"experience" an other way of lifestyle. 

So for all of that i was volunteer in Edra and I worked in the bording house Hippocrates I. There, my daily tasks were to prepare the coffee and fruits with the residents. Besides of this, I coloured with them pictures and supported the stuff by outsides programm for example to the cafeteria, to the bakery, to the open market or in the summer to the sea. 

Geia Sas Koritsia kai Agoria!

Giving the first few puffs on my experience as a volunteer, my only vices that it costs me money ... I think today is a good time to enjoy the small but unrepeatable memories I have in my mind about this experience.

Im Julia from Spain, and i am volunteer in Edra. I came to Athens in September, not knowing much about the city and the country in general, so I came here with a lot of motivation and enthusiasm, while a degree of uncertainty and fear of not knowing the what could be here. The early days were exciting while somewhat stressful because I could not communicate easily with my roommates, my tutor, workers, users ... but is a barrier that every day, with effort and self confidence have been overcome.

During these months my main focus has been on the job doing what he could: have been and are still so many handicaps with which I have found that I'm mainly trying to facilitate their work and daily life in general.I realize that communication is one of the cornerstones of our work in the center, but I think people somehow we can communicate well with the language of emotions and really is very gratifying to know that somehow you communicate with a person even though they do not speak the same language. These are still one of the most intense months of my life, all is still easy because, to be honest, I was unaware that Athens was a city so great.The country is facing a critical moment and that is felt in all areas.I did not realize when I arrived, that the social and economic situation was so difficult for the country and its people but I had the opportunity to work in a new environment, meet lifestyle (Greek and English) completely different, learning a new languageand strengthen ties of friendship really is an experience that made me grow, is an opportunity for personal growth, a way to start finding my own way thanks to the confidence they give you the various project members.

All this has made me see the great need that people have, sometimes, just for a little attention, to be heard, a caress... also made me appreciate more what I have and feel happy to do something for others.

 

Hello everyone!

My name is Klinta, I am from Riga, Latvia. I was volunteering in Greece 9 month since April 2011 till January 2012.
I chose to do EVS, because it is great opportunity to go out from my routine environment and see something new, different, what give me new experience and change my perception of life, how different and awesome it can be! I also wanted to explore other country and culture. And it is interesting to meet a lot of people from different country’s, with different spirit of life. Also I wanted to get new experience doing my work. Before I haven’t been in Greece and my imagination about all country was different, so I also change my stereotypes about country and culture.I was working in EDRA in the boarding house Hippocrates I. There I usually prepare the coffee and fruits with the residents. Also I color with them pictures, play Tavli and go with them outside to the cafeteria, to the bakery or to open market. Volunteering is just something great, it is chance to see, do and be active.,meet new people and spend great time! I am very, very satisfied with volunteering job and organization!

And yes, night life in Greece- never stops!
People, need to broke everyday life, stay cool, enjoy!!! ;-)

Gazi, our neighborhood

Gazi-Keramikos Athens: The neighborhood of Gazi is replete with numerous nightclubs and remarkably elegant restaurants. This area has been named Gazi primarily due to the fact that in the past there used to be a gas factory of the same name.

The Gazi Factory was established in the year 1857. and commenced its operations from the year 1862. After more than a century of operation it finally closed down its shutters in the year 1984. 

The Gazi factoyry has the unique distinction of being the last known factory in Europe that was operated in a conventional way. At this neighborhood, one can experience an authentic community which is independent and self-sufficient. In the past, the Gazi neighborhood had every conceivable facilities that one would look forward to in a community. From the carpenter' shop to the cozy restaurant offering the very best of native cuisine, Gazi had all this and much more.

the entire area was replete with buildings that were made of stone and had distinct neoclassical features. The buildings were conspicuous by their wooden roofs with attached skylights. To further enhance the architectural beauty of the edifices, French and Bizantine tiles too were used.

The entire Gazi neighborhood has been rstoredand renovated by the city authorities. The arquitectural blueprint was designed by renowned architech Alkis Premis. In the present times, the neighborhood of Gazi serves as an industrial park an also as cultural hub.

Who we are?? Current volunteers

Hello!!!
I’m Chiara, the new volunteer of Edra.
I’m from the southern Italy.
I study psychology and after my first degree I thought to make an foreign experience before subscribing at the second university. I decided for the EVS project, because I want to practice my studies and also to learn a foreign language. When I was reading the Edra’s project I thought that this was the perfect project for me!!! I like this project and the work in a day-care center with Aspasia, Anna and the others volunteers very much. The atmosphere in the day-care center is very nice and I like to work with the users of the center, although I don’t understand the greek language and I don’t speak with them, but almost always you need just a smile to communicate or some words as “Kalà”, “Bravo” and “Pame”… I hope to learn more!
I came to Athens in April and now for me is all to be discovered!!!! Athens is a beautiful city, full of contradictions, a city between the East and the West and I like it for this reason. There is everything you want: art, culture, entertainment, good music, the beach and the mountains (also the hills, as Lycavittos ) and above all good food!!! The only thing that I don’t like in Greece is the coffee, but I’m Italian and for sure this is only a problem for Italian people!!!
In conclusion, I strongly recommend young people to participate, because for sure the EVS is a huge experience in different fields. It’s a chance to get involved in multiculturality and it is a funny experience for you!!!:)
Chiara

Geia sas!!

I am Joaquin Zamora Campoy. I am from Spain and I have 24 years old. 

When I finished my degree I tought what I could do after my studies,I studied psychologist.

The idea came becuase one friend of mine made the EVS and he was always speaking me very good about her experience so I told to myself, why not??

I think to be a volunteer is very good way to learn other people, reality, country, ways to work, is just perfect experience!

I was looking for one organization where I could develop everything I learnt in my studies, so the better way was something in relation with the social area, and I found EDRA.

I am working in the Boarding House Hippocrates, around one month and half ago and my first contact was very good, even If i didn´t know nothing about greek, but now is getting better in all the senses.

I really like Greece! Is a beautiful country with a lot of contrasts to discover , I am living a very nice and now experience here.

I will keep you informed about how is going on... ;-)

 Hellooo!
My name is Tobias and I am from from Landshut in the south of Germany. I am one of the current volunteers at the day care center of EDRA. I just arrived at the first of March and I will stay for six month here in Athens. In the day care center I assist the stuff in the dialy work, especially at the arts and crafts workshops.
I always wanted to do a gapyear after high school, because in my opinion is very important to break out of you routine enviroment before you continue to study at the university. I hope to gain some very valuable experiences in the next half year.
What I can say after the first few days, this project is the perfect choice for me. It`s different to my usual life (as I had e.g. no experience in the work with disabled before) but I have an easy time adapting to everything. As our flat is pretty centrally located, you get to know other EVS -volunteers, ERASMUS-students and Greeks very fast. And as I am open minded person and I like to discuss a lot, I already met many nice people with very interesting backgrounds in my few days in Athens.
Soo...now you know a bit about me and the expriences of my first days here and maybe I could help you if you also thing about to make the EVS in EDRA!