Hello everyone!
My name is Katsia, I am 21 y.o. and coming from Belarus. Almost a year ago I obtained my bachelor degree and a feeling of not knowing what to do with my life. Somehow this feeling has led me to Romania, where I became a part of the ESC project “Youth centers UP”. During that project I managed not only get to know the beautiful city of Timisoara but also to contribute to the local community by helping to build a youth center in one of the neighborhoods. You can find out more about it, if you scroll down and read about Kamate team.
After the project was over, I felt so much connection and attachment to the place, as if I left a part of myself here. I just could not say no to the opportunity to spend a year here, doing what I really enjoy.
Despite all the troubles coming along with the formalities, I found a way to arrive in this charming city and pursue my passion. It is hard to imagine all excitement that I had about upcoming events and activities. I met (some not really) new people who were full of ideas and energy. Together with the FITT team we took a tour around the building of the youth house and even paid a visit to each of the brand new youth centers.
All the excitement had to stop when the pandemic crisis started. At first, everything was suspended. At second, those things which were not cancelled, had to move to the virtual dimension, where it is hard to build a team, make an impact on the community and simply have fun. At third, our lovely Timisoara was not available for us anymore and the most beautiful season of the year passed without even being captured.
Finally, the state of emergency is over, and we can enjoy again some things that we did not have. Some of the things are probably lost forever(?) but it is not necessarily negative changes. Slowly, we are getting our excitement and motivation back. There is still a lot to come. All we need is love just some hope, in order to adapt to the constantly changing situation more quickly and some warmth in our hearts, in order to help ourselves, each other and (even) the local community.
Do not give up on hope, maybe altogether we can fight the crisis with the power of our minds.
Katsia