Memories from few days in Rodyna (diary)
I am writing this article a few months first.
So I’d like to share the things that have happened to me at Rodyna. I remember the walks with the children in the park next to the school. Those were good times because the children could see other things and other people, especially for Ira and Dima who were having fun with animals and particularly with pigeons.
I remember Rodyna’s anniversary. If I am not mistaken it was the 20 anniversary of school. For the occasion, there were some cakes for everyone. Lots of people from partner companies visited us as well. I also remember the rehearsals for the Christmas show. It was very complicated to deal with the children because they all had different roles. But it was fun.
Regarding my personal development compared with the beginning, I can say that my skills improved. Now I know the children and we can get on well. Also I can handle a lot more complicated situations as nervous breakdown (with Kolia and Lev for example). Moreover, I anticipate quite easily dangerous actions (climb on the chair, eat everything they can find, …). I learned a lot about children’s background and I was touch a lot. I got on well particularly with Ira who smiles when she sees me, Dima who spends his time teasing me to play with him, …
I obtained some new skills during these few months like patience, self-control, analyzing to better understand the children and their reactions. This is great experience 
French meetings
We kept on holding Francophone as. Lots of people visited the event. Some people showed up on a regular basis, others arrived from time to time. The number of people was different every time. Sometimes there could be 5/6 and sometimes 15/20. We moved the tables so everybody could easily communicate with all the participants at the same time. Most of these meetings took place at Syndicate beer & grill. The place is suitable to these kinds of events because there is a lot of space and every Saturday evening there is a concert at 7 p.m. So the atmosphere was pleasant and friendly. These events allowed me to meet a lot of people that I saw afterward. I also heard that many oh them met up too. These events are therefore a success. The favorite topics of discussion is the situation in Ukraine with the conflict in the East and the situation with Covid. Moreover I found out a lot about Ukrainian culture. Many French people working in Ukraine were present at the meetings. It was therefore an opportunity to talk about relations between France and Ukraine but also between Ukraine and Europe. So it was very enriching.
Usually, after the meetings, we went to another bar with those who were willing to continue party. Thus it was a chance to discover new places. For the most courageous, the meeting ended in a nightclub.
Ps : I should admit that the governmental lockdown strongly impacted on francophone meetings. Article from Mael Roue French volunteer
French-speaking meeting
Every two weeks on Saturday, I arrange a French-speaking meeting. There are two aims of these meetings. The first one is for French native speakers. For them, it could be a good way to meet people from their country, meet new friends, and to talk about Ukraine with locals. And the second goal is for Ukrainians to practice their French and discover French culture. They come to practice their French with native speakers.
We meet in Syndicate Beer & Grill at 16h, but people arrive from 16h to 18h. Last Saturday 12-13 people were there, the half were Ukrainians. The atmosphere was friendly. People switched their places to discuss different topics with different people. It’s very important cause some people are shy because of their level in French. If all people are included the aims of these meetings are completed. At the end of each meeting, I ask people if they want to continue somewhere else. Generally, we continue in another bar or restaurant and we finished our party at the end of the night. Join us!
Mael Roue.
Mael Roue: it was a new environment for me
I discovered Rodyna at the beginning of August but I really began my mission at the end of August. I worked in the past with disabled adults but they were independent, they could do their tasks by themselves. So, it was my first time working with disabled children. When I came into the room and saw children, I was stressed. In fact, some children screamed loudly and running around the room. It was a new environment for me. But with time and patience, this atmosphere has become normal. Now they begin to get acquainted with, me so I can help to feed them and be involved in some activities as well…
There is child Ira. I spend a lot of my time to paying attention to her. She is not complicated to manage but she likes to touch computers and to climb everywhere. She has a phone in a pocket not so far from her ears. Music is very important for her cause she has little hysterics when she can’t listen to it. I think I founded connection with her cause her behavior has changed compare to the beginning. Now she sits next to me during outside activities, she smiles when I carry her. She can’t eat by herself so I try to feed her. I have succeeded one time alone but generally, we need two people cause she moves a lot. When we are outside she likes to follow all the animals (pigeons, dogs, cats…).
Now I think I can begin to anticipate the movements of the children and react before they run away, break somethings, or cause harm to themselves.
These children are very appealing! I love to be here!
Youth Exchange, “Share & Care”, Kobuleti, Georgia
These incredible seven days in Georgia have ended. Somehow suddenly and unexpectedly they passed away in a moment, but time is inexorable as always. These seven days were unique and full of events, ideas, creativity and smiles.
Every day was bright and sunny not because of the weather (the weather wasn’t so good actually), but because of the incredible energy of unique people, who were open for communication and creating together, always willing to contribute to the common cause and always ready to help.
During the project we were able to see a wonderful combination of the modern and ancient architecture of Tbilisi, experience the hospitality of a small town Kobuleti (where actually the project took place) and feel serene and free spirit of modern Batumi.
The purpose of the project was promoting a new attitude to consumption and the economy as a whole. Nowadays we spend more and more time and money on things we do not really need. We buy a product, use it quite a bit, throw away and then stand in a line for a new one. Contrary to the idea of consumerism appeared new type –sharing economy, which has become increasingly popular. Barter trade, co-using of cars, bikes, houses, coworking spaces and CouchSurfing, peer lending – all of these are examples of sharing economy.
Within the project we have learned more not only about the theoretical component of the collaborative consumption and its principles, but also learned how to use them in everyday life and implement our new knowledge in projects at the local level.
Every day was built with the use of the principles of effective teaching methods, involving all participants on the maximum level of interactivity. Each of these seven fantastic days was quite interesting and memorable in its own way.
One of the unique points of the project was City Quest, which gives participants possibility to interact with local folks. The participants were divided into teams and had a number of tasks (from conducting of social surveys among residents of Kobuleti to arranging birthday for a local dog), one of which was making photos with Mayor of Kobuleti. Each team showed creativity and found some interesting solutions.
However, one team reacted most faithfully to the task, and applied all diplomatic tact, charm and persistence, went to city hall and made a long-awaited photo with the Mayor of Kobuleti Sulkhan Yevhenydze.
We should also express gratitude to the mayor of Kobuleti (and the team that actually had visited him), who helped to organize an excursion to the mountains.
Participants of the project have a phenomenal opportunity to see fantastic landscapes and nature in its original state (certain forest areas have a persistent association with Jurassic Park), feel the breath of ancient history and architecture.
Participants of this Youth Exchange were also invited to a meeting of local youth government, where they learn about urgent problems of the youth of Kobuleti and solutions to them.
Nothing brings together people that much as cooking together. Fresh fruits, helpful and cheerful youth and ocean of positivity – that’s a great recipe for a luxurious and nutritious fruit salad and tasty lemonade.
The seeds that remained after cooking battles were also given to the use, because the purpose of the project was to spread ideas on the need to maximize the effectiveness of resources’ usage. So all of the seeds were planted in the garden. We will wait for harvest in the coming years.
One of the topics that are closely intertwined with ideas of sharing economy was upcycling. Upcycling is the way of giving new life to old things. The participants had an opportunity to show their creativity and come up with a new way to use things that seemed to be outlived.
The process of creating ideas was active, energetic and intense. The end result needed to be only one product, so sometimes there were serious inflammatory debates.
But the result was worth it.
In order to maintain the tone and energy between sessions there were conducted various games and energizers. (from hugs race to contemporary dances). Some of the participants still sing a song about a Baby Shark.
One of the goals of the project was to promote the idea of 1010 Ways. The essence of this initiative is to provide opportunities to buy things not for money, but for some kind of social cost. 1010 Ways authors want to make people realize the true value of things and to think about over-consumption and usage of resources for the things that we do not really need. More about this initiative can be found at the link: http: //1010waystobuywithoutmoney.org/about/.
We had the opportunity to talk about the idea of 1010 Ways to children of one of the schools of Kobuleti. In order to increase interest in the topic, it was decided to organize a number of interesting options for leisure activities for children and youth. Several teams were responsible for different blocks of entertainment: dancing and singing lessons, drawing and making origami.
Each of the participants (both children and the participants of the project) received phenomenal and incredible doses of positive impressions.
One of the final tasks within this youth exchange was to prepare a plan for new projects. Participants concerned this task quite responsibly. As a result, we received several potential projects which, as we all hope, would be implemented in the future.
Last Day was joyful and sad at the same time. There was farewell with people who have become true friends, waiting for new meetings in the future, the warmest words, and the most sincere hugs.
The project “Share & Care” will forever remain in the hearts of its participants.
Hello volunteers! First EVS project hosted by Rodyna.
Rodyna welcomes its first long-term Italian volunteers!
Rodyna NGO is proud to announce that the long awaited Italian volunteers finally made it to Ukraine, and have been warmly welcomed by the whole team of the association. Alberto, Daniele and Sabina are going to spend one year in Kiev under the framework of the European Voluntary Service. The EVS programme promotes youth mobility and international cooperation in Europe, through the use of funds provided by the European Commission.
Rodyna partnered with the Italian association ‘Eurogems‘, creating together the project which brought the three young Italians in the capital of Ukraine. In their first weeks in Kiev, the volunteers got to know the city and initiated their integration process, starting to get used to the new country, language and culture.
Another very important part of the beginning of their Ukrainian adventure was the ‘On Arrival Training’, which took place in an Ukrainian-themed holiday village in Kiev Oblast. The training gathered other young people from all over Europe, who are currently doing their EVS in Ukraine, Belarus and Moldova. Along with fun activities and great Ukrainian cuisine, the volunteers got equipped with important skills that will help them throughout their entire EVS and beyond.
Ready to start, here come the challenges.
This is the first EVS experience for both the three volunteers and Rodyna, so they will have to face different challenges together. Alberto, Daniele and Sabina believe that one of the biggest difficulties will be to overcome the language barrier, so they already started to work on their Russian language in order to acquire a basic but very useful language level.
We wish good luck to the three young Italians in their stay in Kiev, following them closely in their EVS journey. This blog is also one of the projects that they will work on, so stay tuned for more news on the volunteers, the projects and the whole association.
Training course “Explore yourself through Art”. Review
Suddenly ten creative days in Armenia have finished, where there was a training course “Explore yourself through Art” program for Erasmus +. It was ten bright, colorful not similar to each other day in a wonderful hospitable country. We had an opportunity to enjoy the beauty of the capital Yerevan and Ahveran small town, which is located nearby, in the picturesque mountains, where, in fact, there our training was conducted.
From the first day of our arrival in the host country we felt good preparation and organization of training at all levels, for which I thank to our trainers from Armenia, Germany and Portugal. For those who arrived on the night before the scheduled day, the organizers had booked a room in a nice hostel in the center of Yerevan, so the next day we could see at once the most beautiful places of the capital. Our sanatorium «Resort park» was situated the middle of picturesque mountains and beautiful nature. Honestly we did not expect such a gorgeous service for 8 days, special impression forbear from our 3 per day meals at the resort’s restaurant, where the variety and yummy traditional food impressed us a lot, and the friendly staff and wonderful chefs complemented the picture.
The first day of training accounted exercise where we could know the person more than just a name and we have achieved that through art, expressing ourselves with a sheet of paper and brush. Personally for me it was a challenge, because the last time I held a brush nearly 12 years ago, I was afraid to start, was afraid of criticism. But during the training I realized that art is not only the ability for person to make beautiful things, but it is a special way of expressing ourselves without words, it can`t be good or bad, beautiful or ugly.
The second day was dedicated to sharing the experience with different groups of clients between the participants from 9 countries. In particular, all participants presented their sending organization. It was interesting to hear many useful stuff for future cooperation. Among all the organizations the most bright for me was Portuguese, embodying the project of social business by manual manufacture of chocolate, they provided working places for 6 people with disabilitie. In the evening we waited for intercultural evening, where we had the opportunity to taste specialties from different countries of the project participants, especially I enjoyed the authentic Italian cheese with truffle mushrooms, real Italian salami and sweet pomegranate Armenian wine.
The third day was based on knowledge of the inner world of each participant, for great majority it was a serious challenge, but ultimately it was useful experiance for each participant.
The fourth day started with exercise “conflict resolution through the arts.” At first I mentioned the happiest moments in my life, then we were told that all this must sketch in black and in the end, when all have been very sad, we were given scissors and stationery knives in order to erase that black paint pictures of our light so I was very impressed because the depressed black paintings left and we saw a real masterpieces.
During the fifth day which we spent in Yerevan, we got acquainted with the local scenery and beauty of the local culture. We started with a visit to the NGO, engaged in the education of autistic children. The whole center is very clean and modern, mostly funded by foreign sources. Our next stop was at the center of art therapy through art which not only solve the problems of people with disabilities and also helps in solving everyday problems of ordinary people, such as confusion between a man and a woman. And the same evening we had a small holiday in traditional Armenian cuisine restaurant, where delicious dinner was waiting for us in the best local tradition, as well as singing and dancing after it.
Sixth day provided us with workshops held by participants of the project. Inflammatory Claudia from Italy taught us how only 6 pictures can convey a whole life story, Anna offered us a German musical exercises, Giorgio from Italy taught us to listen carefully to the nature, and the girls from Poland taught us a special way of feeling our body. In the evening Lena gave us a master class of handmade.
The seventh day started with exercises on land art, during it each participant had to make a little miracle of natural materials and then show it to others. The rest of the day we spent learning more about Erasmus + and everything connected with it, and then we came up with the ideas for its future projects, and its implementation can be provided with a help of Erasmus +.
On the eighth day we shared our topics and assisted each other in writing the project plan together.
The day of tears, sincere words of gratitude, good wishes and frank admissions came. And all of us are united by one thing – the desire to see each other again.
Khmelovska Yuliia
The video results from Erasmus+ Youth Exchange – “Dance for Europe”
“The video results from Erasmus+ Youth Exchange – “Dance for Europe” – 24 September – 01 October, 2015 – Croatia”
No time to judge. It’s time to help…
No time to judge
It’s time to help…
We used to stay aside somebody’s problem. In most of cases we can do something more than judge. People are always judging gipsy’s by some stereotypes. We are judging people by their clothes, appearance, behaviors, even smell… People don’t want to understand, don’t even try to understand gipsy’s problems fully and deeply. Have you ever asked yourself why do they do something not the way like you are doing? I am sure, no…
But in most cases it’s important just to help to these people, no matter are they gipsys or not, are they smelling good or not, what kind of clothes they are wearing.
These people need a help, just your help… Maybe you can’t help everybody, but you can make a difference for somebody.
ERASMUS+ TC ROMA
“One nation many lives”
Vaduli lui voda, Moldova 16-24.10.2015
Немає часу осуджувати,
час допомагати…
Ми звикли залишатися осторонь чужих проблем. Ми звикли осуджувати. Але, насправді, ми можемо зробити щось більше ніж осуд…
Люди звикли осуджувати циган за якимись стереотипами. Нам не подобається їх одяг, їх поведінка, навіть запах.
Нас не турбує людяність циган, для нас вони просто цигани і ми вважаємо зайвим все інше.
Проблеми циган ми вважеємо неважливими і зайвими.
Навіщо нам їх проблеми, якщо ми просто звикли зневажати цих людей.
Чи ви колись запитували себе чому у циган така поведінка, таке життя, чому вони роблять щось не так як ми робимо? Впевнена, що ні…
Але, насправді, важливо просто допомагати людям, не дивлячись на те, що вони цигани.
Все що потрібно цим людям – це допомога.
Можливо, ти не можешь домомогти всім людям, але ти можешь змінити хоча б чиєсь життя…
ERASMUS+ TC ROMA
“One nation many lives”
Vaduli lui voda, Moldova 16-24.10.2015
აღარ არის განსჯის დრო,
დროა დახმარების!
ჩვენ განზე ვდგებით სხვისი პრობლემებისგან, ჩვენ შეგვიძლია გავაკეთოთ მეტი ვიდრე განვსაჯოთ. საზოგადოება ყოველთვის კრიტიკულად აფასებს ბოშებს, თავიანთი სამოსის, გარეგნობის და საქციელის გამო. საზოგადოებას არ უნდა და არც ცდილობს გაიგოს და ღრმად ჩაწვდეს მათი პრობლემის არსს.
არასოდეს გვიკითხავს ჩვენი თავისთვის თუ რატომ იქცევიან ისინი ჩვენთვის მიუღებლად? ნამდვილად არა!…
ძალიან ბევრ შემთხვევაში მნიშვნელოვანია არა მათი განსჯა, არამედ მათი დახმარება მიუხედავად მათი წარმომავლობისა, ჩაცმულობისა თუ უსიამოვნო სუნისა.
მათ დახმარება ჭირდებათ! თქვენი დახმარება!
ყველას დახმარება შეიძლება რთული იყოს, მაგრამ ჩვენ შეგვიძლია თუნდაც ერთი ადამიანის ცხოვრება მაინც შევცვალოთ.
ERASMUS+ TC ROMA
“One nation many lives”
Vaduli lui voda, Moldova 16-24.10.2015
Anife Kharabiber
Mamuka Antia
Nadia Papazian
Ilie Raducan
Social Entrepreneurship as a Tool for Social Inclusion, project under Erasmus (Zagreb, Croatia)
The principle motivation behind this project is the need to raise awareness about alternative approaches to the economy, society and life in general. One of these alternative approaches is social entrepreneurship which combines the issues of social responsibility, inclusion, awareness, active citizenship, fair trade etc. with a business model which creates special market conditions in which social entrepreneurship may and may not be in an inferior position compared to regular businesses, all depending on the level of awareness of the consumers. The social mission which separates social entrepreneurship from normal entrepreneurship represents an extremely potent method for social inclusion, a general tool which can be translated to other private and public ventures if given chance.
That’s why through this project we explored the theoretical background of business models, funding methods, community outreach, case studies, success stories and concrete local examples of social entrepreneurship and its aspect of social inclusion. The participants received ample theoretical input from professional trainers and social business managers which enabled them to brainstorm and creatively imagine ideas for future social entrepreneurships which they might one day conduct.
Through this process we compiled a booklet which summarizes the competences, methodology and knowledge generated and used throughout the training course which will serve as a tool and guidebook to future social entrepreneurs and civil sector organizations that seek to create projects of their own about similar topics and to educate potential entrepreneurs.
This was achieved through a combination of non formal and formal education methods undertaken by professional staff during 8 days in Mirkovci, near Zagreb, Croatia which was chosen for the venue since it is located in a degrading rural area which could benefit allot from social entrepreneurship but also because it is nearby successful examples of Croatian social entrepreneurship companies which all owed us to take the participants for a tour of an actual business where they interacted with the employees and learned first hand what it means to be an social entrepreneurship, it was the crown to the previous days of theoretical work. The results of the project are disseminated on social media platforms and websites. The entire outcome will serve as a basis for future cooperation among participants who will find potential future partners working in the same field of interest.
Photo Gallery of workshops done at the project activity
Photography with encouragement line
It is said that a picture is worth a thousand words, the validity of that claim we wont test but that there is some truth to it is undoubted. A good picture can transfer the emotion of the moment and the message much better than a word can and that is why to reinforce our message and make it more understandable and sympathetic we employed photo and video methods during our project and dissemination activities.
The photographs themselves are accompanied by encouragement lines which support the pictures message and make improve its impact on the viewer. The pictures have all been created, selected and edited by the participants with help from professional video and photo qualified trainer. Their message is meant for all to consume and digest with the intention that they raise awareness, promote responsibility and popularize social inclusion and social entrepreneurship within the society.
Booklet
The booklet itself is the central intellectual output of the training course. Its aim is to equip the reader with the tools needed to start working on the topic of Social Entrepreneurship with the local youth in their communities through providing example of sessions with a wide range of objectives and methods. The guiding principle that this booklet is based on are the principles of Non-formal education, more specifically its central tenet; participation through which the participants improve their learning process and increase the collective added value of the activity.
The booklet and its content is always structured so that it firstly allows for theoretical input from professionals so that the participants may grasp the issue and gain a basic understanding before proceeding to the second part which is the practical application of the previously gained knowledge. These methods range from brainstorming, debates, simulations, case studies, round table discussions, group work, teambuilding etc.
The intended users of this booklet are youth workers, youth leaders, trainers, educators, entrepreneurs etc. and in line with that the end target group is youth interested in (Social) Entrepreneurship, though no prior formal or other knowledge of the topic is necessary.
To download booklet, materials for workshops and read more visit our web page of booklet !
Booklet Social Entrepreneurship
http://www.vovo.hr/#SocialEntrepreneurshipBooklet
Aftermovie of the project
The second visual method used to reinforce the learning process of the participants and the impact on the target groups and all other stakeholders was a video project. As was the case with the photograph project, the video has been conceived, filmed and edited by the participants with the aid of the trainers. It summarizes the project in a short video meant to allow other stakeholders a glimpse of the participant’s work, learning process, their results, hopes, new competences and, most importantly, the message this project is meant to transfer on the community; social inclusion, responsibility, common European values, multiculturalism and youth participation in an interesting 4 minute package.
Visit to social enterprise Humana Nova
The project authors envisioned the learning process to be incomplete without the participants being given a chance to see in practice what social entrepreneurship means and what is its relation to social inclusion. Therefore, we included in the project a tour of a local Croatian social entrepreneurship which employs people with fewer possibilities in its everyday work. The organization that was chosen was Humana Nova (geographic proximity, compatible social mission, successful example). The director of Humana Nova told the participants what it means to run such a business, what are the obstacles encountered, how to tackle them, suggestions and motivation etc. after which the participants had a chance to ask the manager questions through which they tested the competences acquired during the previous days. This visit was crowned with a guided tour of the facility and opportunity to interact with the employees and support Humana Nova through purchasing their goods, recycled textile merchandise.
This visit was organized for one of the last days so that the participants might better organize their theoretical skills and temper them with the raw experience and input of the Humana Nova director before they engaged into their practical part of the training course, brainstorming and envisioning examples of social entrepreneurship with the social inclusion mission.
Read more about visit in following link:
http://www.vovo.hr/#HumanaNova
Social Event
The final stage of the project was the social event organized for the participants and locals during which the results of the project were exhibited in an appropriate ceremony which also included handing out youthpass certificates to the participants.
This was the formal closing of the project which yielded many results which will hopefully be useful to the future work of the participants, partners and other stakeholders.
Attending the social event were members of the local community and the venue staff which got a insight into Erasmus+ and its possibilities.
