Feedback from Lithuania

Hi there guys!

If you like reading long formal letters, then you really should avoid this one.  J

I just want to say that we all here in Lithuania miss you very much. I hope that all of you brought back wonderful memories from our little country. I know that I still can’t get over it. It was so nice to see you working as a team. Each and every one of you was amazing. You all did so much in such a short period of time. So be proud of what you did and put a smile on your face. You deserve it!

Volunteering really brings out the best in people, doesn’t it? And it really wasn’t that difficult, was it? Come on, admit it. It was really fun! Volunteering at the food bank was more of a game than real work. Even those heavy boxes of sugar didn’t seem so heavy J  To know that volunteering can unite people from all over the world to work for the benefit of all people is a gift that you gave me. Thank you, guys!

I’m really proud that I was able to participate and help you with your voluntary work. Meeting you was an experience that I will never forget. I really hope to see you all later in Latvia.   

Rytis 

Dear project participants!

It is time to start all the preparations before the 4th mobility. We are looking forward to seeing you in Riga after only 4 weeks. This time your host organization will be Riga Trade Vocational Secondary School from Latvia. Theme: Charity for our feelings of well being.

We think charity – it is the possibility to protect something unprotected. What do you think? How does charity working in your country?

Good luck with your homeworks and welcome to Riga.

Best regards,
Ieva from Riga, Latvia

Hello everyone!

Last week was filled with a pleasant feelings and adventures.

Thank you teachers of the Karalius Mindaugas vocational training centre for a nice, warm and pleasant atmosphere throughout the week.

For all the participants this was a great opportunity to do maybe small, but very useful and valuable chores. As well as to enjoy together nice, sincere and perhaps memorable moments.

Personal thanks to Andris and Vaidas of helpfulness and continuous translation.

To see you soon in Riga from 2 to 6 March.

With greetings from Latvia,

 
Daina

Project coordinator in Lithuania - Simona, provides a brief overview of the week.

Hello dear students and teachers,

Wishes to you all and it‘s sad that the week together passed away so fast.  I still have many good impressions about our meeting in Kaunas and want shortly to summarize it.

The first our official meeting started on Tuesday. From the early morning we had a lot to do. After meeting with Karalius Mindaugas Vocational Training Center deputy director and coordinators of the project, we started our work. The groups from Finland, Latvia, Estonia, Iceland and Lithuania represented their homeworks. All the videos and essays were really good, but the commission later decided that Lithuania group did it the best.  We were also glad to announce the second place award for the best homework – it was for Estonia group. Congratulations again ! Later we were listening to lecture about volunteering. You can find the slides of it in blog. Hope you could use them somewhere in your life. Later we had lunch and met again for work : the case studies were introduced , the groups of Palanga, Kaunas and Aukštadvaris were announced, dicussions in groups started. After really long day, my colleague Iveta invited you to go for a walk and see Kaunas Old Town, Laisvės alėja and the school premises.

On Wednesday you all had an interesting day. Groups in Palanga, Kaunas, Aukštadvaris had different activities related to volunteering. You met a lot of people, were involved to real work not lectures or just theory. New practice was the aim of these outgoing activities. The real result of this is well seen in the videos which you presented and the analysis of case studies which you did. Thank you for your good work there.

On Thursday we met all together again. You were working all day on your videos with professional video makers, real filming site was imitated. After difficult work you presented your case studies and videos.  We were so excited. The commission decided that the best and most creative case study was made by Aukštadvaris group. We had announced all the awards: best case study (Aukštadvaris group), most creative group (Aukštadvaris group), most friendly group (Palanga group), best homework (Lithuanian and Estonian groups) and gave you the certificates stating your achievements.  Thursday evening was unforgettable. We had a friendship dinner, you all prepared some national dishes, which we tasted and liked a lot.  Thank you for your ideas !

So to sum up I can say that this week gave so much for all of us. We were very good team. Wish that you have also the best memories.

Good luck in your next meetings!

Simona 

Hey there y'all.

What an adventure it was to join you guys in this project.

I think it will take me about two weeks to cover everything that happened and share with my fellow teachers and students.

Trying to speak Russian to the Taxi driver when arriving in Kaunas, and not being sure if we were delivered at the right place since it was so dark.

Go through five stores to try and buy a towel but because I could never pronounce the word: rankšluostis right. Meaning towel. And some of the guys said that my name was probably made up by allowing a cat to run around on the keyboard.

Being served everything with a potato in it. And even a dish of beef, disguised as two potatoes.

But over all I must say that meeting such a happy and helpful group of people, willing to devote their time to complete strangers just to make their day and be only rewarded with seeing them smile.

I am getting all mushy here. So thank you this fantastic visit and I hope to have the chance to visit again. Best regards from Iceland

P.S. Our polar bear, Fluffins, says hi.

AČIŪ, LIETUVA! Thank you Lithuania!

19.01-23.01, Kaunas

VOLUNTEERING IS NOT A WORK, IT IS A LIFE STYLE!

Nordplus project participants this time were hosted for a mobility week by Karaliaus Mindaugas Vocational Training Centre in Kaunas, second biggest town in Lithuania.

The target of activities was to discuss and show the value of volunteering to the backbone of community- young people. It was a lesson of life studies for many of project participants.Sharing is caring-that we all felt during this week in Kaunas!

In addition, reflections from Finnish students:

Trip to Lithuania was the best of memories. When we arrived in Lithuania we were very well received, and I really felt myself welcome. We hopped into a taxi and during the entire trip I was watching the scenery, I have to admit Lithuania is a really beautiful place! I want to go there again one day!

This trip was very useful, because the plans of my future are quite clear, I want to do something international job. I also learned that the only home living is not enough, but have to travel to many countries if you want to understand the meaning of life, and I learned that there is hope in humanity, there are people who help lonely or disabled people from their bottom of the heart. 

On behalf of Finnish team,

Anita

Case studies:

Aukštadvaris team: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1etb6nc3OcU

Palanga team: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hggimJ5XRRc

Kaunas team: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=glaHC2GDa-c

Thank YOU very much, that thoroughly and responsibly made not only homework but also case studies. We hope that all the accumulated information you will use in your life. Also would like to give a brief overview of the evaluation of the work. 

The best homework (video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hPrA2ShBMwk&feature=youtu.be  and essay) was Lithuanian.

Second place for homework Estonians.

The best case study  and most creative team was Aukštadvaris group.

Most friendly team - Palanga group.

Kaunas Team - What we did.

 We started by walking into the kindergarten. The teachers introduced us to the children and their workplace. We all had to do experiments together with the children.  We took part of children lessons.  Everyone of our group felt amazing. The children's smiles brightened our day.

The second place we visited was the Food Bank. We haven't seen so much food in one place. There we created a packages of food for people in need. One package consisted of condensed milk, pasta, sunflower oil and sugar. We really enjoyed working together for other people.

Third place we visited was "Home of solidarity between generations". There we saw elder poeple and younger living together, and how they helped each other. This institusion is unique in Lithuania because it is  the only place where you can meet person who is 15 years old, living with a person who is 70 under one roof, and they were happy.

We saw many interesting things there. We think it is amazing how people from various places around the world could work so closely together while volunteering. Volunteering can really bring closer together. One goal, one team and many happy memories.





Thank you Lithuania and thank you Nord Plus for these amazing times!

The Palanga group

Palanga group

The main question of our case study is „How to motivate young people to help the disabled people?“

In Palanga we visited several social institutions and we had a great time. We experienced everything listed above and we couldn‘t be more content, happier and loving.

The first place was the resort of disabled people. We had previously baked some cake and we were glad to share it with them. It seemed they liked us because they were truly happy and showed their emotions. We learned what they do in their everyday life and we were gasped by their art skills. 

The second place was the hospital and we visited elderly people. Again, we offered them the delicious cake and even had a little chat with some persons. The feeling we got was absolutely astonishing, because their gratitude was everything we lacked.

The final place was the foster home for elderly people. We shared the last plates of cake and took a group photo and enjoyed our little time there. 

Although the day was tiresome we experienced all the main key features that voluntary work has to offer us:

Bonuses or perks – for example offer the young people also the opportunity to go abroad, experience different cultures or to provide them a free ride to the hospital and back. It‘s also a nice way to offer them some sweets and drinks while they are spending time there.

Positive feedback – the volunteer gets so much more than he or she has to give and the content is measured in emotions. You can‘t be upset or in a bad mood if you see that you have made someone‘s day a lot better.

Contribution – work hard and give something back.

Fun – it is always easier to do some extra activities if they are also exciting and interesting.

Self-development – you definetely change a bit if you volunteer for a longer period of time, your perspective gets wider and the bond between human beings gets stronger every day.

Making a change – actually starting from the small things can make a huge difference to a person, a community or even the world. For example giving a smile starts a chain reaction like a butterfly effect which could give a big result in our everyday lives.

Love – if you can‘t love yourself there is no way you can show compassion or caring towards others. Sharing is caring!

We feel extremely good, satisfied and happy that we had the opportunity to participate in this project and gain new experiences, knowledge, friends, memories and emotions.

All we want to say is thank you for everything: 

Aitah, Ačiū, Takk fyrir, Kiitos, Paldies!

Hi there! We are Aukštadvaris Team

 

Volunteering activities at the rest home of st. Dominicus. Decoration of glasses with the stained-glass paint. Theres some experiences that we got form the resthome.

What we learned from them was that the small things matters a lot.

 

Čižiūnų socialinių paslaugų centras. Volunteering is not about getting, it’s about giving. And all the people we where visiting they had realy special skills in art.
 

Specially this man.  He was so exciting showing to us his painted pictures. It is so heart warming to see how passionate he is about his art. Don’t you think so ?

The only thing they need is to spend some time with somebody who is willing to listen. This experience opened our eyes, what is really going on in Rest homes and how much great stories they have to share.
 

 

 

The value of Volunteering

You can find a presentation about volunteering from Lithuania right here.

Case study: Kaunas team !

                                     Team moto: Volunteering not work, this is a life style !

Group 2. Aukštadvaris.

1 team 1 dream,  and the CHICKEN...  J

Here are some photos from today :

 

To be continued....... J

We provide evaluation criteria of essay and video:

1. Culture of presentation
2. Teamwork
3. Revelation of topic
4. Relevance (is topic actual?)
5. Originality
6. Creativity
7. Compliance with requirements

And evaluation criteria of the case study:

1. Culture of presentation
2. Teamwork
3. Revelation of problem
4. Originality
5. Creativity
6. Using of IT

NordPlus essay

In Iceland you can find numerous volountary institutions. The biggest one, Slysavarnarfélagið Landsbjörg, is probably the most popular one, since they rescue people from dangerous situations which are many because of active vulcanos, many earthquakes and hard times in winter, esspecially in the northern parts of our country. Not so long ago the people who do volountary work for Landsbjörg, who we call Björgunarsveitarmenn, went out and saved sheep that were drowning in snow because of very much snowfall in a very short period of time. They are often called out when they are working their regular jobs but are very often allowed to go and even sometimes still get paid. In Iceland we have a great healt care and education system and poverty is at a minimum but still we have shelters that hand out food and every year before christmas the largest malls in Iceland take put up a large christmastree where you can put a present under. The gifts are then handed out by incredibly hard working people doing volountary work.



Mæðrastyrktsnefnd is also a large organisation which helps mothers in need. If a woman with children needs more money than she can get she is helped in many ways, for example do they give out coupons, give food, chirstmaspresents and clothes directly and assist them with everything they can. The Red Cross is also rather large in Iceland and they, for example, take donations of clothes both to sell in Iceland and to give to the less fortunate in other countries. We are lucky to be born in a society so willing to help others as most of us have enough and more than that so there is plenty to go around and share between us.

Iceland video

Björgunarsveitin

Essay From Lithuania

Volunteering and intergenerational solidarity

Volunteers are people who voluntarily perform useful work without receiving any pay. Volunteering in general can be considered as an altruistic activity, which is intended to promote the sharing of knowledge, personal experience and to erase the gap between various age, race and sex groups.

The best thing you can give to someone during your lifetime is your time, because you‘re giving them something that you will never getback. Voluntary work can be lucrative not only for people around us, but it also can be of great use for the volunteer herself or himself. Young people in Lithuania usually volunteer for several main reasons. One of which is the opportunity to learn new skills and get to know their social life in order to develop their personal and professional skills. It‘s also a great way for young people to test themselves in their chosen field of study or profession. The possibility to test the way that you are about to choose, the job that you are going to do for the rest of your life is a great gift and volunteering offers people this chance. Work for which one doesn‘t demand any pay unites people of various age groups, creates a bond of trust and respect amongst them.

Working in a team, working individually and hard work in general creates an independent, responsible and a caring member of our society. For example, some Karalius Mindaugas vocational training center students together with the red cross go and visit senior citizens, who simply need help in doing common housework or just need their shopping done. One of the responsibilities of volunteers from our school is to also provide moral support for those who lack it. Some volunteers go to Kaunas clinics oncology department and try to raise the spirit of the patient‘s by chatting, telling jokes, or just listening to the patients life story. 

Age doesn‘t really play an important role here. We also go to orphanages and spend time with children. An hour or two a day can really improve their life. This short period of time still is very important. The best reward for us is to see the smiling faces of the children.

One has to keep in mind that one of the most beautiful facts about volunteering is that it doesn‘t have any boudaries or restrictions. A volunteer can help people in the morning and spend his or her evening in an animal shelter feeding, playing and petting animals that do not have owners.

This is why we take part in various projects where we help people, animals or just raise the awareness of a healthy life style and a clean environment. Help comes in many forms, and we believe that volunteering is one of the ways to accomplish what we are supposed to accomplish in this life time. We volunteer because we not only want to see the world but to make a difference in it. By helping others, who seriously need help we become not only better people, but we also create a nicer society, which we believe, should be united by love and respect for all of its memebers. So, let us all join together and help people, help animals, help the world see the beautiful side of life.

Video from Latvia

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CGvUZZyxzm4&feature=youtu.be

Essay from Latvia

VOLUNTEERING AND INTERGENERATIONAL SOLIDARITY

Volunteer job is highly appriciated and much needed in every country. Volunteers are people, who like to help without getting paid, and without selfish ambitions. Many people travel to countries to participate in constructing schools or re-building villages for those, who are less unfortunate or  have suffered from different nature disasters and diseases. Volunteering can be done by everyone who has courage and are willing to help. Intergenerational solidarity is a way to combine both – volunteering and getting knowledge from represitatives of elder generation. There are many ways to help others, you just need to find the most appropriate to you.

There are organisations, that look for volunteers. They offer places where you can live, and are willing to show life in other countries, in exchange for helping people from those countries. But not always you need to travel so far, to make a difference in someone`s life. In Latvia, you can volunteer in soup kitchens, go and do some activities with children from orphanages or even go walk out dogs from dog shelters.

Social centres for old aged and disabled people is one of the ways how to participate in volunteer activities. In these homes, you can fill the old peoples time. Become someone special to them, get information and knowledge about life,different situations and ways to live to its fullest.

In Latvia, Volunteer job has been actively developed from 1998. There are few new organisations, that consists form 5-9 people and visits old people in retirement homes all over Latvia. After doing this kind of volunteering, they feel like these people, has be came their own grandparents, just because they have so much love and knowledge to give, and they just needed some one to listen.

Helping others is not that hard. You can help with money, food, care or just spend your time with others. In 2014, for the award ‘’Volunteer of the year 2014’’ were submitted ower 300 people from Latvia. Everyone of us can be in this list, only if we are willing to help and give. We have opportunity to change world around us, so why should`nt we?

Presentation of Latvia team members

Hi there! My name is Sofia. I am from Vangazhi, Latvia. I study restaurant Business in Riga Trade Vocational Secondary School. I enjoy dancing, reading,  singing, photography and snowboarding. I'm pretty excited about coming to Lithuania! :)

My name is Loreta and i’m 18 years old 3rd year student in Restaurant buisness and serviss in Riga Trade vocational secondary school.
I am passionate about reading and writing . My future plans: I still haven`t been able to think what I want to do in future, because there are to many chances and interests. I would like to see myself as a graduate from my school, good worker in my job after few years, maybe own my own resturant or become a chef.

Hi, my name is Oskars and i’m 19 years old, learning curriculum logistics and telemechanics 4th year in Riga Trade Vocational Secondary School. I chose this school because it offered a steady growing field of education programs. Free time I like to engage in sports activities or relax with friends.

 

We are waiting here for you in Lithuania! Best wishes from the Lithuanian team !

On the left : Viktorija, tch. Laisvė,  Monika,  Vaidas, tch. Rytis, Andris.

Viktorija Karpovaitė school President - very cute girl)) Laisvė Paulionienė tch...  Monika Čiukšytė - paramedic -a real fan of  volonteering :D   Vaidas Neniškis - paramedic, likes doing everthing and otherwhere.)) tch. Rytis - the best teacher, just school - study - and rockNroll )))  Andris Zujevs - paramedic... some boy from this group :D

Team MOTO : I need to be STRONG, I need to move FORWARD. . . To make it to a NEW DAY of volunteering !

Essay from Finland

Volunteering and city services are complementary activities, which increases the sense of community and prevent social exclusion. Voluntary work helps to support individuals or groups in need, extending the opportunity to associations to participate, influence and help. Voluntary support activity is a visible and important part of the social work of the society.

“Charity is the rent we pay for being here on earth” Marian Wright Edelman.

When someone donates a handful of time, the difference made is tremendous and it shapes a community for the better while the experience improves the person who donated the time, seeing how his contribution made a difference.
Citizen service is what makes a community, because it brings people together to work on a goal, Whether it is a fundraiser for the research to cure a disease that affects the whole world, or to help a local family who has fallen in a time of calamity, Community life is improved by aiding others and lending a helping hand to get a job done more effectively.

“The magnitude of our social problems will require that all citizens and institutions

Make a commitment to volunteering as a way of life and as a primary opportunity

Create needed change.”— George Romney, former Michigan governor.

When people donate their time, they give hope to someone who needs it. Ex. If a local family's house burnt down and a group of people hosted a benefit for them, that family's faith would be revived when they realized that people care. Although that family lost their house and their belongings, seeing how their own community wants to help would bring joy and show them that money isn't everything. This experience contributes to personal development, especially in areas such as self-fulfillment, self-confidence, and self-esteem which often flourish in the midst of volunteering experiences. The selfless act of volunteering provides a spiritual enhancement as well. Knowing that you made a positive impact on someone is an emotionally uplifting experience that can never be matched by money or fame.

‘There is more happiness in giving than there is in receiving.’” Acts 20:35

According to kansalaisareena.fi More than a third (37%) of Finns participates in a voluntary activity. The participation rate is quite similar in different groups. The Kamppi and Kinapori volunteer service make a role model for us when it comes to the service for elderly homes.

- The Kamppi service center volunteer about 1000 hours per a month. This workload means that each day would be a full-time job for 6-7 people. With total of 350 volunteers.

- Kinapori service, volunteer about 800 hours of work per a month. This workload means that each day would be a full-time job for 5 people. With a total of 100 volunteers.

Health care alone is not enough for disabled elderly people living at home.  According to researchers, they need support for their mental well-being. Municipalities suggested that a volunteer be attached to the home care, for example, in cooperation with associations.

Donating time now will also aid in the future. Volunteering strengthens present skills and also shows an employer that an effort has been made to make an improvement. Such skills include communication skills, ability to work with others, ability to take direction and lead others, dedication and time management. 

Employers realize that as a volunteer you must be able to prioritize your schedule in order to devote time for activities that benefit others. When employers see active volunteer work on a resume, they are much more likely to hire such person. Employers are aware that most people who offer their time are conscientious, honest and hardworking individuals. Reasons for which we the Porvoo International college students are much grateful for the boost our school gives regarding these services.

Point College’s practical nursing students and vocational school of beauty, as well as, a baker confectioner students organized a dance for the elderly in the week 10/08/2014 at Attendo Laamanni nursing home residents. There were hairstyles and makeup for the elderly people. The idea came from the students themselves, and it became the most memorable moment of the year for the elderly people.

These are just few reasons why volunteering is important. Not only does it bring hope and happiness to people, but it also leads to spiritual and personal growth. It is an experience that cannot be bought with any amount of money.

“Everyone can be great because anyone can serve. You don’t have to have a

College degree to serve. You don’t even have to make your subject and your

Verb agree to serve… You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by Love. “— Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.