Luiza Piekarska volunteered in Georgia through the EVS program for 10 months. She lived in Gori and worked with the Bridge of Friendship- Kartlosi organization, conducting activities like Polish and English language classes, renovating community centers, and making educational films during the pandemic. Through her volunteering, she gained interpersonal skills, experience working with children, and learned about Georgian culture while traveling and living with other international volunteers. She recommends volunteering as a way to help communities and grow personally outside one's comfort zone.

1. Luiza Piekarska
MY EVS
in Georgia

2. IT IS ME AND MY START
( AND DOGS I LOOKED AFTER IN GORI)
After graduation, I was thinking what I could do to change my daily
routine, to gain new life experience. At this time I found the FRSP
offer which inspired me to apply. I've always wanted to be a
volunteer, so it was simple decision. I'm going. And to be honest
that was the best I could do.

3. GORI
I chose Georgia for my volunteering, I lived in Gori for almost 10
months. What can I say about this city. It is a small place where
born. - Joseph Stalin.

4. MY ORGANIZATION
Bridge of Friendship- Kartlosi.
It is an organization in which I had the
opportunity to work for almost a year.
Mission of the Bridge of Friendship –
Kartlosi is confidence building and
promotion of peaceful dialogue between
conflict-affected sides, at local and
international levels. Increase of youth
involvement in the country’s European
integration processes through informal
education and establishment of democracy
and peace culture. In addition, promotion of
sustainable development and
democratization of local communities
through active involvement from citizens;
raising their awareness and advocacy. We
attempt to promote building of peace
processes in the region; to support local

5. ON ARRIVAL
I also participated in on-arrival training in Bakuriani. I met
many volunteers there, from many different European
countries who were volunteers not only in Georgia but also
in Armenia and Azerbaijan. It was a great experience that
allowed us to meet many new friends, eat Georgian Supra,
visit a new corner of the country, and set goals for next
months.

6. TEAM
Our team was an international „mix”. Earlier, I lived with Marco and
Martine, who come from Italy, but they finished their projects in
December. From January I had opportunity to live with Cemre, who is
Turkish and with Chris and Relle from the Netherlands.

7. ACTIVITIES
As the first activity, I can mention Polish language
classes at the local university. Together with another
volunteer from Poland, we tried to teach not only Polish,
but also show Polish culture to local students. We also
organized English classes for children from one of the
kindergartens in Gori, but due to the lack of a person
who would help with translation from English to
Georgian, we had to give up after a few months. The
organization is focused on activities in IDP settelments,
so we had the opportunity to conduct classes for
children in the villages- Skra and Berbuki. The classes
consisted of a combination of physical and educational
games with learning English. We also organized a
thematic meeting for children - Carnival. I had the
opportunity to participate in the renovation of halls in
these villages. In addition to the above-mentioned
activities, I also did office work, numerous translations
from English or Russian into Polish.

8. POLISH LESSONS
AT THE
UNIVERISTY
CLASSES IN
KINDERGARTEN

9. CLASSES IN BERBUKI

10. RENOVATION OF A CHILDREN'S
CLUB IN BERBUKI AND SKRA

11. OUR WORK DURING THE
PANDEMIC
The situation caused by the coronavirus has changed our work
system to housework. During the isolation, I made educational films
for children with other volunteers. I also prepared a film with another
volunteer about Gori, which showed the charms of this city and the
life of ordinary people. We created an online exhibition about Kazimir
Malevich. I also had the opportunity to participate in webinars and did
some translations for the organization. Here you have links to our
films and exhibition:
https://www.facebook.com/BoFKartlosi/videos/680176349219171
https://www.facebook.com/BoFKartlosi/videos/520706138594949
https://www.facebook.com/BoFKartlosi/videos/1035518020152323
https://www.facebook.com/BoFKartlosi/videos/526191668322233
https://www.artsteps.com/view/5e8af57eecdd0662dd4237a4?currentUser&fb
clid=IwAR3R_qlxqPSHnc_APEMsGPZBu8SiieqRjvoHobsJfEbn904eoaNH-
QvGRf4

12. FREE TIME
I spent a lot of time with the other volunteers. Our
favorite activity was cooking. We have tried to recreate
Georgian cuisine many times.

13. TRAVELING
I tried to spend every free moment traveling to see all the beautiful
places in Georgia. And honestly I can say that I have seen in Georgia
almost everything that a resident can see and experience, from cows
on the main road to a real georgian supper – supra.

15. WHAT I LEARNED
During the project in Gori, I met many wonderful
people, thanks to whom I was able to discover
the real Georgia. I have developed a lot of
interpersonal and language skills and gained
experience working with children in the office
and as a teacher. I gained self-confidence,
experience in working in an international team
and with young people. I developed technical
(working with a computer and on the Internet)
and language (Russian and English) skills. I
gained knowledge about the culture of the
Caucasus, but also thanks to volunteers from

16. WHY RECOMMEND
I would like to recommend
volunteering to anyone who
dreams of going beyond
their comfort zone . Being a
volunteer also develops
you, allows you to
experience an amazing
adventure in another
country, but above all it is
an opportunity to meet new
friends and help the local
community. It was a great
adventure, that's why it was
so hard to come back
home.