Volunteering in Škofja Loka

Hi, everyone! My name is Carlotta and I’ll be volunteering here in Familija for a year.
 
I’m really excited to be in a calm, peaceful place such as Škofja Loka, a lovely city surrounded by amazing nature. I’m volunteering in both Blok and PUM-O+ every other week and I think it’s nice because I have the opportunity to meet lots of people and learn many different things about social work. And also the people working there are really friendly.
 
Living and working in another country is a great chance to discover yourself, which sometimes can be hard but hey, that’s part of the process! I think it will be good for me to have such a quiet environment around that helps me to focus on personal growth too. The nature here is great, you can easily go to the forest on foot and the landscapes are beautiful. For me this is the best way to take a break from everything I had going on in Italy, the country I’m from, and to connect with myself a bit more. Always having new people around allows you to develop different perspectives and understandings about humanity, and I think that’s a really valuable thing to take into consideration. Sometimes it can be challenging to temporary “lose” your life routine, but it can also be a great occasion to completely reschedule your time and discover new things about yourself.
 
The one who I miss the most? Obviously my dog Tilda.

A visit from Manipura

Today, we had the pleasure of hosting a visit from Manipura, an organization based in Begunje na Gorenjskem, currently hosting a group of young people from various countries through the European Solidarity Corps program. These volunteers help with activities for young people, children, and those with special needs. They also work on organic farms, in animal shelters, and support local organizations and families in need. 😍

In collaboration with PUM-O+ and Familija International Office, we had the chance to meet these inspiring volunteers and learn about their diverse cultures and the project that they are currently doing. We also shared what we do here in Škofja Loka. After the introductions, we took them to Sora, where we enjoyed a refreshing swim, made a fire, and had hotdogs. ☀️🌭🔥

We hope that some of the local youngsters got inspired to do volunteering abroad! Thank you all for a nice day! ☺️

Erasmus+ youth exchange in Belgium

Our youth center BLOK participant, Maria Sofia Tovar Brčić, with the help of Familija International Office, participated in an Erasmus+ youth exchange in Belgium from July 2 to 15, 2024, titled “What’s My Age Again?” 😵‍💫
The objectives of the training included fostering healthy discussions based on respectful listening to ensure all opinions and viewpoints were heard. Participants explored the experiences of their parents and grandparents compared to their own, engaged in an immersive experience that brought together young people from diverse backgrounds, and collaborated to create a play that would be presented publicly at the end of the project. Theater and improvisation served as the main tools for this youth exchange. 🎭
Through theatrical workshops led by a professional artist, the young participants focused on the theme of adulthood. Maria shared her impressions of the training:
“I spent two weeks in Belgium on a theater exchange program, and it was my first experience of this kind. It was truly amazing, and I highly recommend it! I made many new friends and learned a lot about theater and Belgian culture. The people were fantastic, and I wish the exchange could have lasted longer because there was so much more to explore. Overall, it was an unforgettable trip, and I’m so grateful I had the opportunity to go.” 😍
If you are interested in Europe Solidarity Corps projects or Erasmus+ youth exchanges, please don’t hesitate to contact us, and we will help you find opportunities! 🇪🇺