We have been mentioning the ESC Programme many times on our pages. Throughout the year we always appreciate it more, when we’re able to share the experiences first hand.
Today Ana is checking in with us from her project in Catalonia. You can read more about her experience below:
“Hello,
First of all, I am sending you sunny greetings from Catalonia. Although, unlike in Slovenia, nature here is not (yet) covered in white, we are already feeling the cold, especially in the morning hours when the sun has not yet warmed the Spanish streets.
As promised, first a few words about Halloween in Prodis. At SOI, preparations for the Túnel del Terror (renamed Circ del Terror this year) began before my arrival. Those who are more creative and familiar with brushes and paints painted bloody scenes on wooden boards, which the caretakers and other assistants placed in a maze in the storage hall. Others collaborated with theater university students and together created costumes of scary clowns and clownesses. They also took care of the sound effects. After more than two months of work, they created a scary maze, which the public could visit for a small fee during the last three days of October.
In addition to the work I described last month, I also attended an on-arrival meeting this month. It took place in the Spanish autonomous community of Castilla y León, in a small village near the city of Ávila. In addition to six volunteers from Terrasse, the remaining 18 volunteers, who work mainly in the Madrid and Seville areas, also participated in this training. In addition to team-building activities, we talked about communication and conflict resolution, health insurance, and other rights and obligations we have as ESC volunteers. During conversations with others, I realized how lucky I am. Some volunteers did not have a meeting with the sending organization before departure or introductory days with the host or coordinating organization, where they could learn additional useful information about volunteering itself and the place where they are volunteering. Also, some volunteers live in such remote places that they don’t have a washing machine or feel like outsiders in smaller communities where Spaniards have very close relationships.
Last month, I visited Bardinet Wines with Prodis. We were able to take part in the excursion after one of Prodis’ users won a competition with his idea for a new label. There, we observed the wine bottling process, storage, bottle decoration, and pallet packing to ensure safe transport to the final destination. The entire trip concluded with wine tasting and savory snacks while enjoying the view of the vineyards.
I can’t wait to see what the next month has in store for me.
Until then…
Adéu”
