Summer Youth Academy 2019 has come to its end.
Our volunteers from “Community of Open Learners” project (COOL) of the organization “International Initiatives for Cooperation” (IIC), dedicated most of their time this summer to organise activities for kids of the local community of Razlog.
Every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, the kids joined our international volunteers at the Razlog central park for two hours of funny games and educational workshops.
The activities ranged from classic games such as volleyball, hide and seek and tie of the rope, to new and stimulating activities, in order to improve children's soft skills. A considerable amount of the time was dedicated to crafting and painting activities, which were very appreciated by everyone.
Volunteers started this Summer Youth Academy with no expectation and in return they all got enriched by this amazing experience. Some learnt how to craft a castle out of carton and toilet paper rolls, others improved their painting skills and many acquired self-confidence. But, above all, spending their time with the children was the best gift they could have had.
They were supposed to teach something to the kids, but what they received from them, was more than they could give. Today, the children crafted a nice small rabbit made of plastic bottles and coloured paper. One of the kids made the beautiful unicorn that you can see in the picture and told us that she will use it as a small trash can in her room, as a reminder of the importance of separating the plastic.
This was the best message the volunteers could receive as a closing day to this wonderful experience.
Claudia, Razlog 2019
