EVIJA (LATVIA)

Volunteered From JANUARY TO MARCH AND FROM MAY TO SEPTEMBER 2018

2018 “Hello, my teacher! How are you? I miss you!” Hello, my Habibi. I miss you too. In fact, I miss you all so much that since I left, a day has not passed by without me thinking of you and remembering how your smiles and that spark in your eyes illuminated every day of every week of my time in Athens. I also have not stopped trying to find ways to come back and commit to the project for longer. Habibi Center is magical in this word’s purest meaning. It is a school that is not defined by desks and stools, grades and levels but at the same time has the brightest and most hard-working students, healthy competition between them and a high standard, quality study programme provided by international volunteers. We put our hearts in lesson planning, always consider students’ needs prior everything else and use lots of creative methods in our classes with the idea to empower vulnerable youth with practical tools to improve their lives, gain independence and boost their confidence. Even though the center is informal and learning environment is relaxed, it still teaches discipline and allows students familiarize themselves with a feeling of belonging to a school. Habibi Center made me realise how much can be achieved by putting simple but practical ideas into action and not leaving any space for fear or excuses. How far a project can go with initiative, pure intentions and dedication. And how positively lives of many young people can be affected by providing a safe space for them to study in and perhaps escape from their every day realities for a little while. And sometimes it is that friendly heart-to-heart talk, some culture sharing, fun and laughter together, exchanging experiences and learning about each other that make a huge difference, too. Early mornings, busy afternoons and late nights – the work was hard but worth every moment of it. And in return I got to know some of the smartest, bravest and most motivated students who despite their circumstances thrive when given the right environment for growth. Who do not allow their backgrounds define them and have strong aspirations for their future and are willing to work as hard as it takes to achieve exactly what they want in life. They already have and I believe they will go very far still! I wish to thank you all for all the love, trust and belief that I have been shown and given, and for reminding me every day why my decision to return to Greece was worth making. With love, Evija