One of the programs of EVS towards the volunteers is to organize, in every country which is receiving EVS volunteers (this means, all countries which participate on EVS program) the so-called "on-arrival training".
What is "on-arrival training"? basically it´s the training for the new volunteers in the receiving country...but things are more complex. On-arrival training is more than a training about EVS, on-arrival training means meet people which is your same situation (if you are an EVS volunteer), make friends, having knowledge about volunteer´s role but the rest of the actors´ roles too as well (the mentor, the receiving, hosting and sending organization), know more your means in the project and clear your doubts, fears and wishes. All this served in non-formal ways of teaching such games, teammate works, energizers (not the batteries, but introduction activities), chit-chats and, of course, tons of enjoyment AND GOOD TIME!
These last 5 days (27th november-1st december) was my on-arrival training in my volunteer program here, on Latvia. So, how about a nice diary telling story to give a clear the idea about what is this?
Yeah, let´s go.
On the first day we arrive to the place where the training was going to take place: a guest house 3 kilometres away from the closest village on the other side of the Daugava river, main river of the country. The guest house was close of the river and surrounded by countryside, all in a very teenage horror movie style where then each protagonist begins to die one by one...yes, that´s the feeling in the night.
Ok! during this first day we have the introduction of each of the volunteers and their mentors. The mentors are a basis character in a EVS project where this person has the job to aid and support the volunteer in many different ways, but mostly in the introduction about the hosting country and its society. The way for this introduction day was mostly on activities and games...don´t expect theoric classes, because this is not like this but a training full of activites where the volunteers make the activities happen by themselves. This day was basically the introduction in the EVS Latvia. At night, couldn´t miss the latvian party!
This is the program for the days in the training! Very complete, isn´t it?
One of the activities. A special Christmas tree where a volunteer will receive something in this experience (a snowflake) but also will give something (a gift).
Fun with activities!
Let´s introduce each other!
Next day was more about what EVS is, its structure, the meaning of each role, the meaning of the projects and the programs EVS offer. Everything, as I got to remind, in activities and games. Then, the volunteers took more place in the program pruporsing activities and even having a "intercultural evening" where they (we) have to prepare something (here was a set of teammate games) to attract and explain mentors what the European Union is.
What EVS? well, it´s time to suppose it.
A simple scheme about the EVS characters and the participation mode.
Fun and games in team!
Time to explain what EU is with a chair game.
The day number three was the day to explain the EVS project of each volunteer and strenght the relationship with the mentors. After this, the mentors left the place only for the volunteers and then the time for deeper explanation about our role began, and to solve our doubts too.
Time to strengthen the ties between the mentors and volunteers. How about a time together?
Ackward moment where we had to draw the map of Latvia and we yield a part to Russia...
...definitely.
Party hard! The moment was so intesive that only a drawing can express all the excitment during the evening.
And for the fourth day was a special and unforgettable day...in several ways. The previous day was proposed to volunteers to split in groups and go to the closest village and make some activity for the people. Sounds as uneasy as it is said: teaching something in a foreign country to a group of locals in a sudden situation. In my group we proposed to teach salsa dance to...someone, whoever could be, at least 10 persons. We head to the village ON FOOT and then we made the strategy to think in the key buildings: such the cultural centre, the city council, the train station and the school. We found the cultural centre and there we found two kind volunteers who offered to being taught. Then, they told us to go to school and try luck there.
And luck smiled upon us...or actually was more what happens when you make a good plan. On the school we arrive when the break time was about to finish and pupils had their next class. We asked teachers and then one, being from culture class, offered to teach to her pupils. So good, actually. We realized that the cliche of northern people being close and serious is not that true actually. And there was a very good time, actually, despite the hardness and embarrassment of the task but, on the other hand, there´s the team support and organization which helps to make things go good and fine if taken together...if TAKEN TOGETHER; teamwork.
After coming back we had to show each of the projects and how it was. Fine. And finally some more pruposed activities.
And there was birthday party too!
And the fifth day was basically to say farewell to the guest house and going back to home but now with clearer ideas about the meaning of this year, of this time.
And...a new group of friends is born! prepared and willing to give their best on their volunteer programs!
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