On Monday the 26.January I got the chance to explore the work of 4 EVS
volunteers in Panevėžys.
Emily,
Fine, Laia and Monika work together as volunteers for ten months in the „Panevėžio „Šviesos“ Specialiojo Ugdymo Centras“.
About the school and the project
The girls workplace is called „Panevėžio „Šviesos“ Specialiojo Ugdymo Centras“, a
special school for mentally and physically disabled children and teenagers.
Depending on the age and kind of disability they are divided in different
classes with a size between 5 and 10 students. All in all there are about 140
pupils, from 1 to 11 grades.
The school has a huge variety of curses. In some classes they are taught to count, to read and such abilities, whereas others are focused on art and motor skills. So especially in the “special classes”, every child gets very individual care, wherefore there should be an assistant for the teacher. Later, in some older classes students are prepared for a more independent living after the school.
The school has a huge variety of curses. In some classes they are taught to count, to read and such abilities, whereas others are focused on art and motor skills. So especially in the “special classes”, every child gets very individual care, wherefore there should be an assistant for the teacher. Later, in some older classes students are prepared for a more independent living after the school.
At the
beginning of the project the volunteers could visit all different classes and
after the first month they should decide, in which group they would like to
work. This decision was of course not really easy for the girls but it seemed
that everyone really found their place. The children not just except them as a
part of their daily life, they really love them and enjoy their attendance. When we walked through the school during the break they greet them with the name even from the end of the corridor and all students came immediately and hugged them.
The girls
have about 6-7 hours per day where they join the lessons and each girl prepares
a project with the students and some special activities. In the case of this
year the volunteers make very different projects. Monika trains them in boccia,
so that they can improve their skills. Laia dance with them, create some
performances and boost their flexibility. Fine tries to raise their awareness
for different ecological topics. For example she shows them playfully how to
separate rubbish. The fourth project of Emily -“origami, calligraphy and taekwondo”-
takes the students to a little journey to Asia.
My day in the school
If I would
have to describe this day in a word I would have to say that it is impossible.
There were so many impressions, which I first have to assimilate. Everywhere we have been the room was full of energy and vitality.
First of all the volunteers showed me the whole institution. This took a lot of time because they have some different sports and therapy rooms, computer rooms, with some special keyboards and even a dormitory for around 50 students.
In this dormitory the children from outside the city live together in so called “families”. They have their own room or live together with one other student. It is their home during the week and so there are also a lot of activities.
After the
tour I had the chance to join Laia’s art lesson with five students in the age
of 15 years. We mostly worked with Thomas, one out of two autistic
students and the only one who speaks. Thomas loves to listen to the radio and to
repeat afterwards, even when it is English or Italian. For me it was amazing and
so interesting to observe his behavior and how he paints some stones with Laia.
The other children were working on their beautiful “Snowbook”, which is one of
several handicrafts they made as a part of their lovely paper project. I have
so much respect for the teacher, the assistant and Laia and how they try to
improve the motor skills of these children and support them. They know everything about the children and what they want even just from their mimic and gesturing. They can say after some minutes whether they have a good or bad day. It was such a lovely atmosphere and you could feel that it is not just work for them.
Furthermore,
I went with Fine’s group to the computer room, where they spent the “world
lesson”. In this group, there are 6 children in the age of 12 (6 grades) with
down-syndrome and autism. They learn some basic knowledge, like counting to
nine, using their calculator, some words and so on.
During this lesson I had some time to interview Fine about the project, her motivation, her experience but also future plans.
During this lesson I had some time to interview Fine about the project, her motivation, her experience but also future plans.
The beginning was of course not really easy but soon she found her place and her tasks in the
lessons. She learned to work and behave with these children and I could see how
much she enjoys it. After the EVS, Fine would like to study but, as she said,
she can imagine to work in a place like this in here free time.
Also the other girls learned a lot about them sells and have some ideas what they would like to do later.
In the
afternoon I had a meeting with Kristina, their project coordinator and deputy
director of the school and Rasa, their mentor. We talked about the organization,
their projects and activities (they have sooo many), and EVS in general. They told me about their activities and excursions with the students and volunteers. For example they have been to “Miegantys Drambliai” climbing hall, a Basketball game, took part in the Lithuanian Bocce Championship, organized a sports day and so on.
Kristina and Rasa
are such wonderful women and it felt like they were best friends with the
volunteers. Moreover the project team consists of Dovilė, the school's
psychologist and our language teacher, and Artūras, the sports teacher of the
school, which supports the girls where they can.
The whole day we talked a lot about our experiences in Lithuania and all the
girls had so many stories to tell;
from the children, the workplace, their
daily life and all the experiences.
To answer the question “What was your best
experience?” they didn’t know where to start.
- To start a new life in another country with different people,
- to become more independent and learn more about yourself,
- to work in such an amazing place where you feel needed and
- to get so much love back from the kids,…
...where just some of their answers!
If you would like to know more about the work and activities of the four girls and their project and school, they have a really nice and informative blog: volunteerspanevezys.blogspot.com
or also on the school facebook page you find a lot of pictures and news:
The only thing, which made me sad this day, was that the students do not have future prospects, no place to work or help in their daily life. Nevertheless, this day was really special for me. Not just to explore another job and voluntary work but
also to feel this atmosphere with these disabled peoples and spirit of
volunteering.
Thank you girls, Kristina and Rasa, and Sonata and Rasa that I could make this experience. :)
Thank you girls, Kristina and Rasa, and Sonata and Rasa that I could make this experience. :)
