“Here is Edward Bear, coming downstairs now, bump, bump, bump, on the back of his head, behind Christopher Robin. It is, as far as he knows, the only way of coming downstairs, but sometimes he feels that there really is another way, if only he could stop bumping for a moment and think of it. And then he feels that perhaps there isn't.”
― A.A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh
― A.A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh
A couple of months ago my daughter went to university. After she left, I started to think about the times before I became a mother. It was really difficult. I walked our dog and tried to remember. I spent more then twenty years of organized time. It was filled with work, study, house hold care and mother duties.
That was the time, when I felt like Winnie-the-Pooh. I knew this was the way of my life. But sometimes I felt, that long time ago, there has been another way. Then I managed to think of it and it came to my mind. I always wanted to travel and to get on adventure!
At that time I have been looking for a summer voluntary work camp for my daughter. By chance I found an offer of four months voluntary work in Iceland for a person from 22 to 50 years. I sent them my CV and got a positive answer. I could call the next couple of weeks For and against. Finally I bought a flight to Reykjavik. That was the best decision!
Volunteering has been a different life experience for me especially in Iceland the country of fire and ice. A negative person could say country of rain and wind. That wasn't my case, even I came during winter. We had only six hours day light. And all the other international volunteers have been a generation younger than me. I’ve been in many awkward situations during that time. I had no answers to simple questions like: “Who is your favorite band?” The premises weren’t easy to keep clean, the shower was in a dark back yard.
I took up the challenge to do my best for this voluntary mission. After a couple of weeks I’ve started to understand jokes. I've enjoyed the work in hostel management and public relations for the organization. I’ve got to know the generation of my daughter much better. Our projects were close to Icelandic society focused on environment, arts and education. The good energy of the groups during their voluntary missions was catchy. Only my attitude to the shower in the back yard didn’t change, but helped me to enjoy swimming and hot tub every day. I really appreciate the time spent with Worldwide Friends. My voluntary mission helped me to believe again in the hidden power of the individual.
After I came home, me and my friends founded a nonprofit organization Joy ’n’ Work. We organize projects for people from all over the world. We want to offer them a great experience of voluntary work in Slovakia, the charming country of forests and hospitable people.
“He is truly wise who has travelled far and knows the ways of the world. He who has travelled can tell what spirit governs the men he meets”
(“Hávamál”, part of the “Eddukvæ›i” – Elder or Poetic Edda)
That was the time, when I felt like Winnie-the-Pooh. I knew this was the way of my life. But sometimes I felt, that long time ago, there has been another way. Then I managed to think of it and it came to my mind. I always wanted to travel and to get on adventure!
At that time I have been looking for a summer voluntary work camp for my daughter. By chance I found an offer of four months voluntary work in Iceland for a person from 22 to 50 years. I sent them my CV and got a positive answer. I could call the next couple of weeks For and against. Finally I bought a flight to Reykjavik. That was the best decision!
Volunteering has been a different life experience for me especially in Iceland the country of fire and ice. A negative person could say country of rain and wind. That wasn't my case, even I came during winter. We had only six hours day light. And all the other international volunteers have been a generation younger than me. I’ve been in many awkward situations during that time. I had no answers to simple questions like: “Who is your favorite band?” The premises weren’t easy to keep clean, the shower was in a dark back yard.
I took up the challenge to do my best for this voluntary mission. After a couple of weeks I’ve started to understand jokes. I've enjoyed the work in hostel management and public relations for the organization. I’ve got to know the generation of my daughter much better. Our projects were close to Icelandic society focused on environment, arts and education. The good energy of the groups during their voluntary missions was catchy. Only my attitude to the shower in the back yard didn’t change, but helped me to enjoy swimming and hot tub every day. I really appreciate the time spent with Worldwide Friends. My voluntary mission helped me to believe again in the hidden power of the individual.
After I came home, me and my friends founded a nonprofit organization Joy ’n’ Work. We organize projects for people from all over the world. We want to offer them a great experience of voluntary work in Slovakia, the charming country of forests and hospitable people.
“He is truly wise who has travelled far and knows the ways of the world. He who has travelled can tell what spirit governs the men he meets”
(“Hávamál”, part of the “Eddukvæ›i” – Elder or Poetic Edda)
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