Many of you already know Paula, whether from FACE CLUB, school or from the first interview in which we introduced her to you. Paula has been a volunteer in Spišská Belá for almost a year now. In this article we present volunteering from her point of view.

What does volunteering mean to you?

For me, volunteering means thinking about the world, the people who live in it and our future. When you live in this beautiful world, you can't think only of yourself; you should also think about how to make it nicer for everyone else around you.

Before coming to Slovakia, did you have any experience of volunteering?

Ever since I was little, my mum taught me to help nature, the people around me and strangers too, so I have always tried to help as much as I could. Throughout secondary school I was active in my school's student council. Whenever our local youth centre or kindergarten asked for any help with activities, I was always happy to help. My family also takes part every year in the “Big Clean-Up” (in Latvian LIELĀ TALKA), an event based on voluntary participation in cleaning up the environment, collecting rubbish, planting trees, creating beautiful flower beds, building birdhouses and renovating fences and benches in local communities all over Latvia.

What was Paula like before leaving for the volunteering project in Slovakia? Do you feel any change in yourself?

I should probably ask this question of the people who know me and can judge whether they see any changes in me. But from what I have noticed in myself, I feel that during my stay I have become more open to the people around me, and it is easier for me to start a conversation even with a complete stranger. I am also much more aware of my time and of how I choose to spend it.

What have these months of volunteer service personally brought you?

My time here has brought me many things, and I will probably realise half of them only after my volunteering ends. But some of the things I have noticed are, for example, plenty of amazing adventures with amazing people whom I am happy to call my friends. It taught me to value my loved ones even more than I already did, because only when you are away do you notice that even a short call with them improves your day. It gave me a better understanding of myself and of what I want to do in life.

What would you say to young people who are considering long-term volunteering abroad?

Go for it! Definitely go for it! It's a great opportunity to learn more about yourself, meet new people, travel, learn languages… But before you go anywhere, spend some time online choosing the right project, the place where you will live and the country you will go to. And if possible, talk to previous volunteers who were on that project. Because every project is different, and if you want your volunteering experience to be perfect, you have to go for a project that suits you. And if you have any questions, feel free to ask me, whether face to face or by finding me on social media. I'll be happy to advise you.