by Lujza Blahútová, previous volunteer at the

Szkoła Przysposabiająca do Pracy, a school located in Kwidzyn whose main purpose is to educate children, teenagers and young adults with intellectual disabilities after they finish primary school until the age of 24 years old.

It is also a hosting organisation where several volunteers spend their ESC projects as teacher assistants, bringing their own culture, traditions, language knowledge (which they love to share with all the kids and school staff) and culinary skills (which are often tested at the cooking classes provided there).
“Even though we, as volunteers, work there mostly to provide help and to organize most of our activities from an educational point of view, we are there also to support all of our kids on the emotional level and to create friendly connections with all the people we meet on daily basis.

And well, let me tell you, everything mentioned above is the funniest part of our work there. English classes, cooking lessons, creative workshops, board games, cleaning, learning and teaching about all aspects of life together with teachers give us real pleasure. Preparing the students for their future lives and work is a huge part of what we are trying to do in order to fulfill our potential as volunteers, to grow and learn as much as possible as part of the journey.

It is so true that pandemia doesn´t allow us to enjoy all the amazing activities such as horse riding, swimming lessons at the pool, hiking days, simple walks in the amazingly beautiful Kwidzyn parks or social events with all the students, teachers or even parents on different celebrations like Christmas, Carnival or Easter…

But on the bright side (and there is always a bright side on everything) we are allowed to use our creativity and imagination now more than ever before to make our stay here unforgettable not only for us, but for others as well, and to leave behind a mark and a little part of ourselves through our work and presence.

We could have not asked for better support to do so than the one we already have starting with the awesome team in Akwedukt, the best coordinator at school, all kinds of teachers and even the sweetest cleaning ladies, all happy to help when we are facing any kind of trouble or problem. Together we are enjoying the ups and handling the downs creating our own, unique story!

I am sure that each of us has had an individual and very different reason for choosing the special school as the main area of their voluntary project but what I am sure about even more is that none of us has ever regretted that decision. But none of it would be worth it without seeing the satisfaction of how our students being happy for sharing something of us and pieces of our lives.”

And how do the other volunteers perceive their time in the school? Here is what Irma Bolkvadze from Georgia said:
“Hello, I’m Irma. I have been working as a volunteer in the Special School for more than 4 months. The time spent there is very important for me because this place gives me the opportunity to share my experience with teachers and also to help children with special needs to develop social and interpersonal communication skills. For me, this school is a place of love, empathy, support and source of motivation to make my own ideas come true.”