My EVS in the Netherlands as a Svitac (Firefly) volunteer – Boris Tankić

Thanks to the Youth Organisation Svitac (Firefly), I have been able to participate in many different workshops. After volunteering here, Svitac invited me to volunteer in The Netherlands for one month. I did not have to think twice about it and I immediately accepted the challenge.

My EVS lasted from July 21st to August 20th. As I sat on the plane, flying to an unknown destination, many different thoughts were running in my head. We spent the first two weeks getting to know everyone I was to be working with, and I can say with great joy, that I was surrounded by fantastic people and all of them hold a special place in my heart.

To work with kids was highly satisfying, and I worked with kids from 9 to 10 years old. We had different activities and workshops every day. I would like to thank the coordinators in my group, who made my job easier and made my work with the kids run smoothly. When working with kids, I felt fulfilled and useful, and I felt a strong connection with them.

Aside from the work, we spent our free time visiting many cities in The Netherlands, such as; Rotterdam, Amsterdam, Gouda, Delft, and finally, Den Haag. Every one of those cities are unique and have its own beauty.

The last five to six days of my EVS were spent in a sad atmosphere, because we had all become so close and become like a big family. Our goodbyes became rather hard.

To end with, I would recommend everyone to go and do a stint with EVS, be it a long or a short time. It was an invaluable experience.

Boris Tankić, EVS volunteer, Svitac (Firefly)

July/August 2017