Mid-term meeting of EVS Volunteers in Ukraine

Transcription

1 Mid-term meeting of EVS Volunteers in Ukraine Yaremche,27-30 January 2008 Content: A. Framework of the meeting B. Program overview C. Day-by-day program D. Attachments Report prepared by: Olena Yaremko, EVS trainer in Ukraine tel:

2 2 A. Framework of Mid-term evaluation meeting: Dates and venue: Yaremche, Ivano-Frankivsk region, January 2008 (We lived in the nice house near the river: Trainer: Olena Yaremko, EVS trainer in Ukraine, Academy of Ukrainian Youth Number of participants: 7 The session was addressed to 7 volunteers in EVS projects (5 female and 2 male), 1 coming from Germany, 5 from Poland, 1 from the Nederland s. They where from 5 hosting organisations (2 volunteers in Drogobych, 2 volunteers in Frankivsk, 2 volunteers in Kyiv and 1 volunteer in Lviv). Working language: English, non formal time Polish, Ukrainian, English, Russian. Volunteers new each other before from the on-arrival training, EVS volunteer H.O. S.O. 1 Tomasz Gabor Youth CAN Fundacja Krzyżowa dla Porozumienia Europejskiego 2 Jelka Wawra Sunshine Children's Experiment e.v. Centre 3 Sanne Dober Academy of Ukrainian CODE International Youth 4 Marzena Kurdys CARITAS of Sambir- Drohobych Stowarzyszenie "Jeden Swiat" Kolejowa13@o2.pl Jelka_ii@yahoo.de ennas567@msn.com marzena.kurdys@interia.pl 5 Przemyslaw przeswit@gmail.com Swiatkowski 6 Anita Ryczan Community Centre "Business Initiatives" Polska Fundacja im. R. Schumana anita.ryczan@hotmail.com 7 Iza Mirecka CARITAS of Sambir- Drohobych. Fundacja Krzyzowa dla Porozumienia Europejskiego izamir@interia.pl

3 3 B. Program overview OBJECTIVES: to make mid-term evaluation of the project to reflect about achievements and plans for future to prepare the follow up plan to evaluate and reflect on the volunteers experience and project in the context of Youthpass to explore (potential) conflict issues and practice conflict management strategies to support the volunteers learning processes during EVS to learn more about Ukrainian culture, history, traditions MEETING content: Current volunteers situation Midterm evaluation of voluntary service Experience reports Analysing problems, conflicts and crises from the previous months and developing opportunities of support Encouraging support by other volunteers Future plans (what comes after the voluntary service and follow up plan) C. Day by day program Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Arrival to Yaremche Getting to know about News from each other Expectations about training Planning of the program for next days. Sharing of good practices (workshops prepared by volunteers) Discovering Yaremche My experience within EVS YouthPass Cultural and integration program in mountains Trip to Bukovel Experts book What next after EVS? and Follow up Plan Evaluation Evaluation of the projects The truth of my project Dinner in local restaurant Workshop about Youth in Action Programme Free time in Ivano- Frankivsk / Visit to the office of local organisation Movie evenings Departure

4 4 Day 1 1. Arrival to Yaremche. Getting to know about News from EVS volunteers In Yaremche we began our training with the round of getting to know about news from each other in aim to find out with what volunteers have arrived for the meeting and what new have happened in their life and projects since our on-arrival training. 2. Expectations about training The round of expectations concerning our meeting was provided. During this session it was found out that participants were motivated to talk about their projects, possibilities of follow up. The methods they prefers games, discussions, active things. From the group most of them expected nice, funny and interesting time. In informal time participants wanted to see mountains and to have lots of fun. 3. Evaluation of the projects Participants began to evaluate the projects by writing in the card of paper what are the positives and negatives In my Project and also making the postern My mood during the EVS (where they were asked to describe their feelings, emotions, mood during the EVS when they arrived, first days, now). After individual work, volunteers presented their projects in the context of positives/ negatives and pictures of the mood during the project to each other. Finally we ended by filling the formal evaluation form. Volunteers has also shared their reflexions on what do they like in their project, what would like to change in project, how are satisfied with accommodation, food, mentor support. Here are the results of the project evaluations: How are you satisfied with? (%) Sanne Przemyslaw Marzena Tomasz Jelka Anita Isabela Accommodation 90 % 70 % 99% 90% 50-80% 90% 85% Food 100 % 70 % 95% 100% - 100% 95% Mentor support 80 % - 40% 100% Language courses 70 % 75 % 5% 100% 100% 50% 10% My tasks 80 % 80 % 90% 30% 80% 80% 80% My time table 70 % 80 % 30% 90% 80% 80% 80% My project 80 % 80 % 85% 50% 80% 80% 85% Contact with HO 80 % 80% 90% 60% 100% 80% 80% Contact with SO 80 % 50% 95% 80% 40% 70% 30% What do you like in your EVS project? Positives, strength things Sanne: first of all, I really like to live in Ukraine for a while. It teaches me a lot of experience about culture, way of life, life style, language, personal feedback, possibility to compare tasks; experience in developing / leading session (European club); how to organize youth exchange / activity, teaching English, working with youth. Przemyslaw: contact with the youth; general subject pretty much matches my skills and knowledge; the local community and other volunteers.

5 5 Marzena: I like accommodation, freedom to choose some of my tasks. I also like the fact that my tasks vary I do not do the same things all the time. Tomasz: flexible timetable, friendly co-workers and supervisors; opportunity to learn new language; chance to check my skills and learn something in environmental organization. Jelka: I like the work with the children and got them in my heard; also the work in the governments children s house is now more fun I got better into it what do we have for possibilities to do. Anita: creativity; possibility to organize some events by myself; work with people, children and youth. Isabela: I liked very much my co-workers, volunteers. I also liked my working hours. What would you like to change in your project? Negatives, weak points, problems Sanne: more clearness about tasks / expectations; I was the only EVS volunteer, nicer when you re together or in a group; unclear weekend work. Przemyslaw: that at half way point many changes will take place (organization things, accommodation etc.); too many breaks, holidays. Marzena: I would like to have my mentor trained and informed about the objection of the EVS program. I would like my HO to be more informed in my work and my development as a volunteer and as a person. Also, although difficult as it is, some more stress should be put into choosing / organizing language classes for future volunteers. Last, but not least not every one in my organization knows the objectives of sending and hosting EVS volunteers they sometimes treat with me like free workforce. Tomasz: lack of tasks and long terms plan; long breaks between tasks; change of hosting organization; I should be more active in looking for some opportunities outside my project. Jelka: to get more balance between the work in the children s house and the work in the fosterfamily; I would like to change my living situation after three months staying in Kiev, don t live again in children house. Anita: better organization; more enrolment and support; I am very happy and enjoyed the project. Isabela: I do not have professional education to work with children. Day 2 1. Sharing of good practices (workshops prepared by volunteers) During the morning session volunteers had opportunity to share their good practices or just to provide some activities themselves. This was time to learn from each other, to discover new tools, games, which could be useful in future. Participants have enjoyed this idea very much. This was really very funny and useful experience. Sanne provided the exercise on the topic Stereotypes, Przemek and Anita demonstrated the exercise they use in work of Euroclub

6 6 (everyone has taken one flag of the EU country and then presented it to others), Jelka, Iza and Marzena provided funny games, which can be used for the integration of the group. 2. Before and after my EVS Different magazines are spread over the floor. Participants make the poster showing them before EVS and after EVS. When they finish their posters, they write their associations next to the posters of others (on post-it cards). We read together all coments, which were written on posters & participants told about their thoughts what the author of the poster wanted to say finally the author of the poster told what he/she wanted to say in the poster about himself/herself life before and after EVS This workshop gave possibility for volunteers to reflect on the role of EVS in the life, to see what was the motivation to do EVS in Ukraine, how volunteers feel themselves now within the project and to start share focussing on the most important changes between their past and future. It was also very good to find out the feed back of other volunteers on the posters, and to see that everyone have different points of view on the same picture, and that it is not so easy to guess what in fact the person, who made poster wanted to say in the poster. 3. Discovering Yaremche After lunch we went for the walk to discover Yaremche. Although the weather was rather cold, it was very nice to have the walk as everywhere it was lots of snow.

7 7 4. My experience within EVS. YouthPass Then, we tried to reflect on the aims and objectives for nearest time till the end of the project. Here are the results of EVS Volunteers answers for the question What do you plan to achieve till the end of your EVS project? I know: - friends are very important - how to set youth exchange - what to study in my future - myself better - a lot about Ukraine - have learnt something At the end of my EVS I want to be able to say, that: I can: - speak Ukrainian and Russian - work with kids - cook - work with youth - organize outdoor activities - teach Polish - develop and provide activities myself - go abroad my own - deal and cope with difficulties I am: - more aware what I can do - more flexible, - more experienced - happy that I was volunteer - happy that I met this people - stronger, braver - proud of my EVS - simpler, more modest - more open-minded - self confident I have seen: - myself doing things, I have never expected to do - different parts of Ukraine - mountains - Krym, Sofijivka, Lviv, Yaremcha, Kolomyja, Kyiv - daily Ukrainian life I have experience in: - organizing different things - organizing workshops - work with group - work in summer programs - intercultural learning - writing the project application - teaching English, Polish - work with people from different countries - organize charity action I have understood that: - I want to work in the international cooperation field - relations with people are important - not every group is learning - everything have to have the aim - communication is solving problems - I am interested in cultures - sometimes you don t get what you expect - taking initiative is good way to change what you don t like - there is a lot I can share with others At the end the information about YOUTH PASS was presented. Volunteers had opportunity to learn about the procedure how to prepare and receive YouthPass certificate. Although it was found out, that most of hosting organizations didn t know about YouthPass. 5. Dinner in local restaurant We had dinner in local hutsul restaurant.

8 8 Day 3 1. BUKOVEL TRIP Within the cultural and integration program we decided to go to Bukovel, one of the best ski resort centre in Ukraine. It was really very funny and nice time together. Although, first hours some time was spend to teach those, who were skiing the first time. We decided not to take the instructors, and were teaching each other (luckily some of the group was rather good in skiing). After the intensive skiing and lunch in one of the local restaurants the group was really tired, so everyone dreamed to have a rest and to sleep 2. Workshop Youth in Action Participants wanted to learn about Youth in Action Programme. Some them already knew smth about previous Youth Programme, but there were also such, who knew not lots. Aim of the session was to increase understanding of priorities and quality demands for the YOUTH in Action Programme. Although, the time for this session was not the best (most of participants were still very tired and sleepy). Method: different words were spread at the floor. The task was to group the words in the order according to the key words: priorities, deadlines, actions, important features of Youth in Action Programme. The task was rather difficult as the words seems to be very simular and it is not easy to fill in right place for the first time. First 10 minutes it was not allowed to use the Programme Guide, but then volunteers could look in it and try to find correct answers themselves. As soon as the puzzle tables were filled the detailed discussion and presentation was done. 3. Movie Night The end of the day was finished by watching movie together.

9 9 Day 4 1. EXPERTS ADVISES and IMPRESSIONS ABOUT UKRAINE! Method: Volunteers have received the questions, to be answered, and then the group went through every question so it was opportunity to share their experience gained during EVS, the impressions about Ukraine and Ukrainians, and to give advises for next EVS volunteers.. What is the funniest Ukrainian word? Slava Ukrajini password of a bar / restaurant on market square in Lviv, you need it for entering the restaurant otherwise you cannot enter. Ya maju nasmark, servetka, druzyna. Mobilka, zupynka, pysaty / pisaty, bud -lasechka, tipa, korotshe. hto-nebut, nemozlyvo (nevozmozno), koneshno, kak vsegda, prykol no. koneshno, kto-nebut, ne vozmozno. but -lasechka. spilkuvatysja, obrazatysja. What do you like and dislike the most about Ukrainians? I liked: Ukrainians are very friendly and hospital in warm way. They often ask you to drink or eat something with them. I dislike: they react very enthusiastic on the ideas and activities. They say they d like to help / participate but if you at the moment need their help: they forgot about it or are too busy. You can t be sure if you rely on them in that way. I liked: ability to share, flexibility, the way of celebration of holydays, they sing great. I dislike: the level of hygiene, they are not well-organized, often come late, are not serious about their tasks. I like: hospitality, generosity, true friendship. I dislike: lack of organization that they are eating salami in a public transport and drink to mach vodka. I like: good friends. I dislike: they promise something and then do not do it and late to mach. I like: simple way of life. I dislike: their plans change very much and it is very difficult to trust in one thing. it s the same thing difference between East and West. I like: approach toward foreigners, adjustment skills. I dislike: arguing and making many situations very stressful, public transport, service at restaurants / club. What is the most beautiful place in Ukraine (pub, mountain, street)? the view from the city hall tower in Lviv. Lviv at night provide. Shevchenko Street in Ivano-Frankivs k, market square in Lviv, Karpaty Mountains (Yaremche). Armenian church in Lviv, Pushkin square in Donets k, Bukovel. standing on a bridge between the left and right bank of Kyiv. Wolodymyrs ka gorka in Kyiv Truhaniv Island in Kyiv

10 10 What would you advise for future EVS volunteers in Ukraine? to think in advance what kind of activities you like to do and you enjoy; be open, expect unexpected; discovering Ukraine together (with other EVSers). be prepared to learn 2 languages and to work in primitive environment with little equipment. be open to new unexpected situation, don t be afraid to travel my marshrutka, don t give up on the Polish-Ukrainian border, try Ukrainian food. to be open-minded, to be prepared. be open to them and they will be open to you, when you will have some celebration you will eat so much that you don t to eat for the rest of the week, pay more attention to the cars because everyone has its own rules. don t expect to much, be open to boss parts of Ukraine, learn the language mostly spoken in you area, don t waste your time. most of the things you, at first sight, might consider impossible; socialize; don t spend of time to try to understand some political, economical or language things waste of time. What would you advice for hosting organizations in Ukraine? help/support EVSers by developing their ideas / activities; clearness about tasks to overcome miscommunication. give specific and realistic tasks for volunteers; make sure what are the aims of EVS; a competent mentor for your volunteer. prepare your organization workers to host EVS volunteers, ask other organizations in Ukraine about their experience of hosting EVS; more time for EVS volunteer. to introduce to the volunteer all workers of the organization; to provide excursion in the town for volunteer. prepare EVS volunteer with the rules in his project. like the volunteer. write projects and look for people that can improve things in Ukraine (special knowledge, skills etc.). What would you advice for organizations, sending EVS volunteers to Ukraine? try to collect as much information about the hosting organization as possible; to have a good idea where your EVS volunteers will live / work. provide more practical information (visas, if you need vaccinations, what illness can be dangerous to a volunteer). pre-departure training is important, be in touch with EVS volunteer, support him with ideas and materials. to inform volunteer that he/she must speak English. more preparation information in working with non-eu states, personal contact. check. iy is not always the best idea to send people that already know the country a bit some freshheads often are better.

11 11 2. Follow-up plan Method: participants received the handouts step by step preparation of follow up project idea on which they had time to work individually (to fill in the form or just to plan their follow up project idea). Then, everyone had opportunity to present their follow-up idea using the method of elevator (You are ex-evs volunteer and you meet with the Director of National Agency in the elevator. You have 1 minute to present your Follow-up idea) After each presentation the discussion of the project idea and way of its presentation was done. This workshop have from one side opportunity to share the follow up ideas plans and from the other side to practise the presentation skills, and to learn how to receive and give the feedback. Here are the presented ideas for follow-up: Tomek Jelka Sanne Marzena Przemo Iza Anita To organise activity or seminar for local youth in Poland To buy materials with games and to organise evening for children in her hosting place Organise back day in Holland Prepare the book based on EVS experience Spred information about EVS and non-formal education Prepare book in Ukrainian Cooking tools in work Promote EVS for those, who have graduated shool in Bydgosc Contact job centers Organise Ukrainian Day in Wroclaw University Organise photo exhibition Prepare materials and games in publication for next EVS volunteers from Poland, who will go for EVS to Ukraine 3. What to do after EVS? The personals plans after EVS were shared during the coffee round in the non-formal way. The expectations and fears about nearest future after the end of the projects were discussed, the tools for better back-adaptation were shared. Some of participants had rather clear plans for future after EVS, although some didn t have any ideas and concreted plans.

12 12 4. Evaluation and Reflection round Evaluation was done in formal way (filling the evaluation form) and informal way (reflection round in café in Ivano-Frankivsk). The results of the evaluation. EVALUATION OF THE EVS MID-TERM MEETING Questions Answers and Comments Was the mid-term training held in an environment where you felt comfortable to learn? one of the best Ukrainian tourist attraction nice atmosphere, nice people nice cosy place/hotel fresh air, Karpaty mountains, modern house helped to build All participants wrote, that very nice, creative atmosphere friendly atmosphere, plus all participants already knew from on-arrival training Did you learn from other participants during this training? yes great projects results, and lots of experience to share there were different views in different situations sharing of skills and practises different games, experiences of others are so precious I have learnt how to conduct Euroclub activities We also shared interesting follow up ideas Which session did you find least interesting/useful? youth in action programme presentation evaluation of my EVS project (it didn t give me new information) everything was interesting and useful since I am almost finish my EVS project, so whole training was a useful evaluation for me Which session did you find the most interesting/useful? Skiing in Bukovel (4) and movie nights Follow up (4) Cultural program Sharing the games, experiences and skills development session (4) Information about Youth in Action program Experts book How much did this training fulfil your expectations? (100%, 90%, 80%, 87,312%, 80%, 99%, 90%) - great training - interesting session, also time for exchange experiences and just for talk to each other - good, it was fun to see everyone again and to share, learn from each others experiences - I didn t want to expect, but the training was good, the 12,688% is far to say that it can always be better - It was a great turn-uo and evaluation for my ending EVS project - I learnt a lot, spend valuable time together, It was fun and good learning - I am very happy I have received new information

13 13 How much did you, or not, like the methods used? (100%, 90%, 70%, 90%, 100%, 100%, 100%) - didn t like the thing with youth in action programme - I missed sometimes the active part, a lot of information in one time - Good - Work in groups, active methods, I like it! - They required involvement and creativity from us - Methods were interesting, not boring, connect useful and pleasant How much did you enjoy the informal time? (100 %, 100%, 60%, 75 %,100%, 40%, 100%) - Nice people, lots of fun - Nice - Beautiful place but not a lot to see concerning going out/culture - I didn t like the movies, but it was my fault - Bukovel and movie nights were great - The skiing experience was rather traumatic for me - I liked the films, we watched - I am very, very happy. Bukovel is great! How much did you enjoy accommodation and food? ( 100%, 80%, 90%, 99%, 100% for accommodation and 60% for food, 30%, 80%) - typical Ukrainian cousin - nice, tasty, just too much - beautiful place: village and mountains - sometimes very heavy but always delicious - I love modern house in mountains - Food was great, but too much meat - Too much food, but rooms were nice In what way have you been, or not, satisfied with the trainer? (100 %, 100%, 80%, 90%, 80%,99,9%, 100%) - experienced trainer - good prepared - good job! Open for questions and space for what the group wants, she sees group needs - lots - real professional, I really enjoy working with her - I am very happy, that we had this trainer, she is the best in UA Other comments: - Thanks for the training - Maybe some other EVS volunteers, different from the ones we already knew from the onarrival could take part in mid-term? - thanks for so good organisation of great training, and for the good choice of location - mid-term trainings are also useful and fruitful for EVS volunteers, who almost finished the project. It seems to be the best way to end, evaluate the project - I liked the atmosphere of the training, and it was also good that it lasted 4 days