YOUTH IN ACTIVISM

A new understanding that stayed with me even after the project is to use the awareness I have of a situation to brainstorm achievable ways to improve it in the present moment. That, I think, becomes a skill.

This project not only offered a different view of the world, a meeting with so many different and wonderful people, the experience of living and cooperating with them, but also new insights and the implementation of them, meaning whole new skills. That is something if we’re talking about non – formal education and activism.

This project helped me see that when I prioritize needs and ideas and actually work towards them with the feeling that I can make it while not aiming for perfection is something both empowering and powerful. That is because a process like that actually leads you to an outcome, most likely the outcome you were hoping for and even more. It reminded me that although we live in a very fast paced society, we can implement changes in small or bigger doses in short notice, yet without exhausting ourselves in the mid-time, having an inner pace. The pace is not always coming from a clockwork organized schedule, but mainly from a self-awareness of needs that is giving space to oneself be human, vulnerable, healing, evolving, empowered and empowering.

Drink water and stuff your bellies first!

Maria | Greece

I enjoyed the Olde Vechte project a lot, and quite a bit more than I expected to. It is difficult for me to remember a time where something so exceeded my expectations and satisfied me so fully. The amazing location, the professionalism, and the friendliness of our leaders, the excellent cooks, it all helped the rest of us flourish and get what we want out of this experience.

I think that these aspects are particularly important to emphasize, as they effectively solved my personal dilemmas and skepticism. If everyone around me puts so much effort and care into our exercises and well-being, then, darn, I do owe it to everyone to step out of my shell and be a pra-pra dancing penguin. It was a wonderful place, one that allowed me to be unafraid of judgment, and something I would recommend for all humans to learn and grow.

I’m very glad that I signed up for this adventure. The workshops, the assignments, the learning, the challenges, my new friends and my buddy, all of it helped to bring out some of my better qualities. For that, I will always be grateful.

Davis | Latvia

If I could sum up this experience in one sentence, I would say: This was the most uplifting adventure of self-discovery and preparation to become one of the bravest achievers who strive to make the world the place of love, solidarity, free of hate.

To become the fearless activist who can influence people and implement necessary changes in my country to better the lives of LGBTQIA+ community where I belong myself, to be the voice of people who are silenced, to fight injustice and bigotry is my main goal in life, and having been surrounded by other amazing, inspiring people who are true heroes gave me so much strength. This meaningful experience transformed me into a more confident, smarter, passionate version of myself. But what was truly precious that I received and for that, I will be forever grateful – is the strongest friendships that I formed and that will last a lifetime.

During the project, I had to fight my own insecurities and it wasn’t always easy, but with the immense help of friends, I was able to stand up firm on my feet again and realize how beautiful life is and how my purpose is to help people fight struggles as I faced myself, to uplift them.

Egle | Lithuania