Project: Who wants to be a refugee? The project will be implemented for two years from 01/09/2017 to 31/08/2019
SOCIAL VOLUNTEERING- Volunteering for immigrants
On November 5-11, 11, 2018, five students from our school took part in an international exchange as part of the "Who wants to be a refugee?" Project implemented at school. The students Martyna Cichorek, Martyna Nowak, Aleksandra Cerekwicka, Natalia Walczk and Katarzyna Wolicka together with three teachers, the school's director, Mr. Ireneusz Pietrzak, Mrs. Paulina Krysiak, and the project coordinator Ms Agnieszka Węclewska, spent wonderful moments in the town of Kozloduy in Bulgaria. The host of the meetings was the school of the formerly embracing the priests of Kharkiv. Participation in the exchange was also taken by students from Turkey, Italy and Denmark.
On the first day in Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria, we had the opportunity to meet with representatives of Caritas there and see how the organization works and how it helps refugees and immigrants. We were shown how many immigrants and refugees are in Bulgaria, how help is organized for them, and how the organization contributes to finding a job and a flat. On the same day, the students and their teachers handed over collected items to Caritas to hand over to refugees and their children. Then we could see interesting monuments in Sofia and get to know some of the history of this city.
The next day, in the city of Kozloduy, at the first official meeting, we were greeted by the headmistress Nikolinka Todorova during the ceremony in front of the school building. This ceremony began with folk dances in typical costumes for this region. In addition, the youngest students sang several songs to create an additional character. Then we went to the school building to visit her and see what conditions prevail in school and how students work in class.
On the same day we had the opportunity to see and present what project activities were done in each of the countries. Representatives from Bulgaria, Turkey, Italy, Denmark and Poland described what volunteering was organized and what it brought to refugees. Our group first showed a film encouraging visits and holidays in Poland, a film showing our school and a film showing the activities of our youth for the benefit of immigrants in our area. A surprise that Mrs. Agnieszka Węclewska's coordinator prepared was a presentation containing memories of a visit to Poland. Many of the participants reacted very positively to the next slides and the whole presentation appealed to them.
After the presentations, we went to the head of the commune office to the mayor. During the meeting, we were greeted warmly and described how the office works to help immigrants and refugees. It was a very interesting meeting, which ended with presenting presents to guests.
Another day was also very interesting. Our students had the opportunity to learn local dances, which will be presented in folk costumes during the final dinner. Our students were very eager to take part in classes. Then we went to the national museum located on a ship sailing today on the river Danube. It was another day of unforgettable impressions.
On the third day, we all went to a nearby town to visit the most famous cave in which concerts take place. We could see what the oldest cave looks like and in addition we admired the illumination prepared inside, which was breathtaking. Then we visited the city of Vraca and the national history museum there
After our return, a gala dinner awaited us, which was started by 5 national hymns from each country taking part in the project. At this supper we were served typical for this region and also delicious dishes. Then the dance team operating at the Commune Office danced two dances and the next one was with the participation of all students. The final dance in folk costumes and danced among other by our students caused the most enthusiasm among the gathered people. At the end, each participant received certificates confirming participation in mobility.
On the last day during the summaries, the students took part in a Bulgarian language lesson creating exemplary dialogues as well as in art classes preparing postcards for refugee and immigrant children. All participants, along with the teachers, got involved in classes, wanting to give children a few nice words on the postcard.
The time spent in Kozloduy, exercises, dances and team work meant that students from all countries participating in the project integrated without any problems, made acquaintances with also developed communication skills in English.