Article written by Chiara and Ella (Finland and Italy)
We are Chiara and Ella and we come from Italy and Finland. We went to Kryoneri for a one month project called "Remembrance Trails", it was a beautiful experience.
During this month we worked in the nature, cleaning around the Hostel, near the river but above all on footpaths. Sometimes it was such hard work but staying in the nature was amazing. Our group was formed by 12 people from different countries.
We have learned a lot about others languages, a little bit of German, Finnish, Spanish, Italian and of course Greek, basic sentences to comunicate with the locals; it was very funny. We have learned a lot about greek culture and mostly about food and the history and it’s memory. We love Greek food!
We stayed in a Hostel Elisson and it became our home, Athina, Panos, Panagiotis, Hana and especially our group became our family.
Volunteering has been such a good and funny experience that made us grow as a person, most of us want to be part of other volunteering projects again. We would reccomend this experience to everyone.
Article written by Lorenzo Bortolin (IT)
I reached a point in my life, where I felt the need to take a break from what I was doing. At the end of the day I often found myself tired, stressed and honestly not very happy.
I needed new and different experiences that would allow me to explore unheard parts of myself, but above all that would allow me to test myself in unknown environments.
After discovering the European Solidarity Corps, I received the opportunity to spend a month in Greece, in a small village called Kryoneri, being part of a project named "Remembrance Trails”.
It was my first volunteering experience, I didn't know what to expect, I didn't know who I would meet, but it was a need that had been calling for too long, so I decided to jump in and participate without thinking too much about it.
In a few days the worries disappeared and I found myself in an environment as welcoming as my own home with beautiful nature and surrounded by people that, in a short time, have practically become like a family.
I loved the work done, perhaps hard in some moments, but the satisfactions were many, the environments where we worked and the footpath were simply splendid.
Really important was the teamwork that give to you the possibility to learn a lot of things about society.
We also had experiences other than simple work, such as group activities, which allow you to bring out your emotions very easily and to establish a deep bond with people, also we had the visit to the Rivka’s cave, which allowed me to understand the profound values that move the whole project towards a direction of respect and care.
Even free time was important, we did many things as a group, from a simple game of cards in the hostel to a trip outside the city with a backpack, the opportunities are numerous, even a simple afternoon spent looking at the sky can give emotions .
Being surrounded by all these factors allowed me to understand many things about myself, about what I want to do, get rid of useless dogmas and understand new dynamics about life.
I'm thankful I had an opportunity like this, it doesn't happen every day, but when it comes, because it will, just take it.
Article written by Haluk (Turkey)
«This month, the adventures I've had, the people I met, and being in nature was the best month I've spent together.
While working with primitive tools in nature, I had the chance to discover the old bond between human and nature and at the same time, I had the experience of living in touch with nature. The Greek culture, which makes everything perfect, especially the food, the people, the music and the lifestyle impressed me deeply.
Every person I met gave me a different perspective on life. We started to live as a family in a short time with all the participants who came from different countries of the world with the love of nature and people. It was also very important for Hostel
Elisson to create a warm home feeling. Special thanks to Atina and Panos, owner of Elisson Hostel. Also, sincere thanks to Hana, who took care of us from the beginning to the end of the program. I am very pleased to have created an adventure that I will never forget for the rest of my life and that I will come back one day with good memories. I would also like to thank The System and Generation organization that created this opportunity.»
Youtube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLq4Xi1YIvE
Other Links: http://www.systemandgeneration.com/en/news/p2_articleid/859
https://www.instagram.com/p/CtRAyMUojQ9/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
https://www.instagram.com/p/CqXduk9MEvG/
Other Photos: https://www.facebook.com/media/set?vanity=filoxenia.ngo&set=a.676946524476293