Maryna's volunteering experience in Ventspils, Latvia
Maryna, a volunteer from Ukraine spent nine months doing voluntary work in Ventspils, Latvia. What did she gained during her volunteering? Read this little interview and find out!
What inspired you to become a volunteer?
I was inspired to become a volunteer because I had already worked with children before, and I truly enjoyed that experience. I wanted to continue doing meaningful work with young people while living in another country.
How has volunteering changed your perspective on the world or yourself?
Volunteering gave me an opportunity to learn more about a different culture and meet new people from various backgrounds. It felt like a great way to grow both personally and professionally.
What has been the biggest challenge you faced as a volunteer, and how did you overcome it?
One of the biggest challenges for me at the beginning was understanding how I could be helpful and what I could contribute to the Youth House. At first, I was unsure about my role and ideas, but with time everything became clearer and I gained more confidence. Eventually, I was able to organize and lead several of my own activities, such as a glass painting workshop and weekly yoga sessions.
What new skills have you developed or what personal qualities have you strengthened?
During my volunteering experience I had the opportunity to try new things such as photography and creating content for social media, which helped me become more creative and confident. I also improved my communication skills by working with different people every day and collaborating in an international environment.
What advice would you give to a new volunteer starting their first month at the Youth House?
My advice to a new volunteer would be not to be afraid of trying new things. I think it is important to stay open-minded and take part in as many opportunities as possible, even if they seem unfamiliar at first. The Youth House is a place where you can gain a lot of valuable experience, learn new skills, and meet inspiring people.
Projektu "Youth of Tomorrow" līdzfinansē Eiropas Savieniba. Šī publikācija atspoguļo vienīgi autora uzskatus un viedokli, un ne obligāti Eiropas Savienības, Eiropas Komisijas vai Valsts agentūras (Jaunatnes starptautisko programmu agentūras) viedokli, kuras nav atbildigas par tajā ietvertās informācijas jebkādu izmantošanu.