Hello everyone, my name is Ondřej, I am 26 years old, and I come from Brno in the Czech Republic. Before coming to Slovenia, I studied social anthropology, a field that has shaped not only the way I think, but also the choices I have made so far. Through my studies, I became involved in several volunteer projects in Brno, where I worked with people with disabilities and later in a non-profit organization focused on Roma youth. These experiences introduced me to social work in practice and showed me how complex, demanding, but also meaningful work with young people can be.

Over time, these projects led me to the idea of volunteering abroad. Anthropology has a long tradition of ethnographic research outside one’s own cultural environment, and I often found myself wondering how youth work and social support are approached in other countries and organizations. At the same time, working in social services made me more aware of how much context, culture, and institutional setting matter. I wanted to experience this first-hand, not only by observing, but by actively taking part in everyday work.

Another important reason for my decision was the desire to step out of my comfort zone. I have lived in Brno my entire life and I am very closely connected to my friends and family there. Leaving this environment was not an easy choice, but it felt necessary. I also wanted to improve my English and, perhaps more importantly, to stop being afraid of speaking it. Volunteering abroad seemed like the right way to challenge myself on several levels at once.

I chose Familija because of its projects PUM-O+ and BLOK, which immediately caught my attention. Both projects work closely with young people and focus on support, guidance, and meaningful use of time, but each in a different way. This combination was one of the main reasons why Familija felt like a good fit for me, both personally and professionally.

I arrived in Slovenia with a minor knee injury, which meant I had to temporarily slow down. Two of my biggest passions—playing futsal and wandering in nature—had to be put on hold. Fortunately, my knee is slowly recovering and has started to “cooperate” again, so I hope to return to these activities step by step. Until then, I am trying to enjoy the experience as it is, getting to know new people, learning how things work here, and taking things one day at a time.

I am looking forward to everything that lies ahead and to what this journey will bring, both in terms of work and personal growth.