Midterm EVS training in Umuri (17th-21st of March)

¡¡Y llegó la fecha de nuestra formación intermedia!! Después de seis meses de proyecto yo, Giorgi y Prokop fuimos del 18 al 20 de Marzo a la casa para huéspedes Umuri, cerca de Kegums.
En total nos reunimos 15 voluntarios que estan realizando su EVS en Jelgaba, Stalgene, Jurmala, Dobele, Sauriesi, Daugavpils, Valmiera, Kuldiga y Rezekne. Ademas de 2 formadores, Ieva y Stas, y una encargada de solucionar posibles dudas o problemas durante la formacion, Egija. ¡¡Realmente una gente muy maja!! :D :D
En cuanto la nacionalidad de los voluntarios, estábamos voluntarios de Georgia, Francia, Rumanía, Alemania, Italia, Moldavia, Eslovaquia y España.

Aaand finally our midterm training arrived! After six month of project me, Giorgi and Prokop went from 18th until 20th of March to the guest house Umuri, near Kegums. 
In total we gathered 15 volunteers who are doing their EVS in Jelgaba, Stalgene, Jurmala, Dobele, Sauriesi, Daugavpils, Valmiera and Rezekne Kuldiga. Also 2 trainers, Ieva and Stas, and the responsible for resolving any doubts or problems during the training, Egija. Really nice people!!!  :D :D
About nationalities, we were volunteers from Georgia, France, Romania, Germany, Italy, Moldova, Slovakia and Spain.


El primer dia fue el dia de reencuentros, porque había dos grupos de voluntarios que habían coincidido en su formación a la llegada. Después de los saludos, nos pusimos a trabajar, nos esperaban unos días intensos de reflexión, recuerdos y evaluación de nuestro voluntariado.

First day was the day of reencounters, because there were two groups of volunteers who had met on their On arrival training. After the greetings, we started to work, days of intense reflection, memories and evaluation of our volunteering were waiting for us :))))

Las actividades que realizamos fueron en grupo e individuales, dentro y fuera de la casa donde nos reunimos. Actividades grupales con la finalidad de ver cómo reaccionamos, cuáles son nuestras prioridades y objetivos en determinadas situaciones, observar cuál es nuestra primera intuición...y cómo no, hubo alguna que otra sorpresa... (Mira la foto en la que nos estamos "peleando" por las sillas) :)))

The activities that we carry out were in group and individual, indoor and outdoor activities. Group activities in order to see how we react, what are our priorities and objectives in some situations, observe which is our first intuition ... and of course, there were some surprises ... (Look at the picture in which we are "fighting" for chairs) :)))

Otra actividad fue ponernos en el lugar de nuestro tutor y Organización de acogida, y opinar acerca de algunas cuestiones de cómo vemos a "nuestro voluntario/a".  En cuanto a actividad individual, realizamos un cardiograma para reflejar los puntos altos y bajos en estos meses de proyecto. También, creamos un retrato de nosotros con recortes de revistas y anotando "10 cosas todavia por hacer" y "10 cosas todavia por aprender".

Another activity was to get in the place of our mentor and Host Organization, talking about some questions about how we see "our volunteer". As for individual activity, we draw a cardiogram to reflect the highs and lows points in these months of our project. Also, we created a picture of us with magazine clippings and writing down "10 Things still to do" and "10 things still to learn."

Estamos muy agradecidos a Ieva y Stas por estos tres dias llenos de grandes momentos, todos positivos y enriquecedores. En mi caso, puedo decir que he vuelto a Rezekne con "las pilas cargadas" y con ganas de desarrollar nuevas actividades y sobre todo....¡¡no dejar pasar ninguna oportunidad!!

We are very grateful to Ieva and Stas, for these three days full of great moments, all positive and enriching. In my case, I can say that I have returned to Rezekne with "batteries charged" and eager to develop new activities and above all ....  don't miss opportunities!!!

Pilar, Prokop, Carmen (EVS volunteer in Zeimuls, Rezekne), Ieva (Trainer), Giorgi, Staņislavs (Trainer).

How Luci went to On arrival training (3-7th of March)

Throughout most of this week, Luci was not present in JACis. Why? Because it was her turn to enjoy the On arrival EVS training, and she sure did.

Luci speaks:
On-arrival training was a really wonderful experience for me. It was a great opportunity to meet other volunteers around Latvia, to understand my project and the whole EVS system better, to understand what exactly means the mentorship and to just plainly have fun.
The training was in Umuri - a beutiful guest house near Kegums, one hour from Riga. It was right next to Dolgava river and near the forest so the landskape was enchanting. For that even if it was cold we spent a lot of our free time outise playing different games.
There were 12 volunteers with their mentors, three from Rezekne - Anas who works in Youth center Zeimus, Karina, working in the Polish school and me. During these 5 days I can say that we definitely became closer.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cyd-6ZamG5Y
It was very interesting to learn what the others are doing in their projects and to get new ideas from their work. I came back full with plans about things I want to do in JACis and morivated to do it. I can't wait to visit everyone in their towns - a great excuse to go around Latvia.

Nevertheless the life in JACis moved on even without Luci, present. On Monday already, our task of the day was to brainstorm on two important ideas: