The Ordotox camp

This week the main event was the
Ortodox camp on which we were asked and were glad to help.
It was the whole week but we went only for three days - on Monday, Thursday and Friday - the closing day.




 

On Monday the day was led by Georgi who volunteered to make with the kids Churchela - Georgian sweets made from grape juice and walnuts.
We were his helpers as he explained the kids what it was and how it will be done.

First we had to make long nets from walnuts with the help of a needle and strings. All the kids did it themselfs and we were there only for guidance if needed.
After this Georgi made the jely from grape juice and flour and started to put every strings in it.
They hanged it to wait few days for it it dry.

But this was not all for Monday as we had planned to play 'Flag to flag' with the kids. Again we guided them outside and explained the rules to the kids.
I can say that the game was a big success - it involves running and competing with each other so what else do the kids need?
They were all laughing and enjoying it, not minding the sun or the tiredness from too much running.
I felt a little bit old watching them: How awesome is to be a kid?

On Thursday we went to the camp having prepared several international activities and games.

First we played with them the 'knee game' which is a kind of energazier that permits you to move a lot and get accustomed with the people around you. The point of the game is to hit the knee of the other person as many times as you can while he tried to hide it with his hands. It may be a little hard to understand just from the explanations but believe me that is a pretty awesome game.




Ater this we decided that it's time for everybody to introduce themselfs and played several name games with them. First they had to say their names and do a significant mvement which we all had to repeat. We played this energazier few times before and it was easy. But the kids started doing acrobatic moments and saltos so we soon again felt out age ;)







 Inside Prokop lead a traditional Slovakian game for the end. It was a bit of a diference as all of them had to sit on the floor this time. But also it was pretty interesting for them because the game included a certain Slovakian words (don't ask me to repeat them) which they had to say constantly.

For the end each of us had prepared a traditional food which we presented and shared withthe kids from the camp. I made Mish-mash - a dish from white cheese, pappers and eggs. Pilar made Bunuelos - sweet flour balls with milk and eggs. And Prokop made a cake from white bred with nuts and raisins. 
Bon apeti!




Friday was quite a full day.

Firstly we went to Zeimus where we, along with the other international volunteers in Rezekne, met with a group of Latvian and Polish senior volunteers. With them we talked about the volunteering, what it actually meant and that it should not end with the age.
It was actually quite inspiring to meet with these women who already had families and even gran children and are still willing to travel, explore and work as volunteers. I think all of us thought how great it would be to, even when we aged, still have the enegry to be like them.




 After this meeting we went to the camp for the last time. We were not the main 'actors' this time as Vitaliy came and tauten ropes between the trees on which the kids were sliding and walking. Of course safety was first so we were guarding them and helping them. In the end we as well tried to walk on the ropes.












It was the end of the camp so the organizatiors had prepared certificates and icons for us as a form of 'Thank you'. We were really happy to be part of this camp and surely had a great time with the kids.
We all wish luck to the camp for the next years as it was the first year it was realized.