The road goes on and on…

So I came back from the most astonishing experience in my life (in long-term perspective). Always I have a feeling that I’m very lucky because I’m meeting awesome people in my life which are inspiring me and show me the way to go further and do the things that I do. It wasn’t different here. Friendships which I’ve made in Mexico are life-friendships and I have no doubt about that. Mexico became my second home which means that it’s for me as important as Poland (what a shame it so far). In general it’s awesome to have to homes but the problem is that you’re always missing one, because you can’t be in both places. Anyway believe me this price worthy to take.
During my on-arrival training I wrote a letter to myself in which I wrote about my expectations towards this experience. 10 months later I could read it again (thanks Doris!). When I did it it appeared that I had achieved all my goals. I helped where I could help. I gained a lot professionally and not only, I had a lot of fun and experiences (sleeping on a roof of church would be one of them).
Writing about the effects of my work they differs of course depending if take into account working with Save the Children in San Mateo Ozolco a and with Fundacion Alianzas Rosalico in Puebla. Regarding the first, it’s not so easy to measure effects of long term-projects which I know from working few years in orphanage house in Mosty. On the other hand there I’ve seen the change in children we were working with and so it’s in Ozolco. Although I was working with the team only 10 months, and a project lasted few years, after this time I can see that the community is in better shape then before. Children and parents have learned a lot about things like conflict resolution in families, also the whole community is more integrated – which was very visible during our ecotechniques workshops in May. Children also gained more wider view on a world for we were always trying to do with them new things, using different methods. They have learned about hygiene, environment, their history, identity, their rights and responsibilities and they know those things now. Moreover by local actions they did, like football tournaments, community cinema or gastronomy (which we were facilitating() they are more self-confident, know how to work in group (although here I think a lot still could be improved) and know how to participate.
In Foundation effects of our work (me and Francesca my roomie and another volunteer) the instant effects are more obvious. Foundation was 1 year working, when we had started there. During next year we developed it’s actions a lot, also a structure, check out FB fanpage or blog. We had found new donors, did few actions outside our base, and help to recycle a lot of trash.
Regarding what I have learned here well.. surely I became stronger, more independent and self-confident person. Apart of that I learned cooking (nothing special but at least I’m sure that I won’t die from starvation), I could try a bit of box, playing base and apart of all speak (and write as well not so bad) Spanish. My adventures here are topic for another post (or maybe even a blog or a book) anyway I wasn’t bored there
And now… I came back to Poland, I’m trying to switch to different time zone which results sleeping more then 12 hours one day, looking for a job and meeting with old friends, which I like the most. But the road goes on and on and it’s not the end just a beginning. So I continue to write this blog focusing now more on non-formal education, global development and all those things I’m trying to do here so soon You can expect new interesting posts and some changes in a blog itself. My plan now is to work 1 year in Poland or Europe and next year go to Palestine for volunteering. I think this place like a whole region is now very crucial and interesting for what is happening there and since I’ve always wanted to understand the world I think I need to go there. Apart of that I’m looking forward to visit my beloved Mexico OJALA!