Volunteer work in a kindergarten and an animal shelter on Crete

Arrival / Arrival

My flight on August 21 went very smoothly. It was my first time flying solo and the only thing I couldn't control was how nervous I was getting during the flight. After landing, I had to wait a short time for a dear RGV employee, who then took me to our accommodation together with two other volunteers. Everything was explained to me in my apartment and it was also confirmed that there was always someone available to answer any questions.

The first evening in my apartment was actually pretty overwhelming at first. All of a sudden it starts and you are right in the middle. I had to get that in my head first. Nevertheless, I have to say very clearly: These little "doubts" about your own abilities and stamina make you aware in the first few hours of your journey that this small stage of your life will bring about a lot and make you stronger. You can do it!

Orientation program

On the first morning we met our supervisors and contact persons at 9 a.m. Even before they arrived at our accommodation, I met some new people. Everyone was incredibly open and immediately gave me a safe and good feeling. All are new and open here. Everyone is in the same situation, doesn't know what to expect and wants to connect. That makes you feel good.

Our supervisors and the team then explained all sorts of things to us: where the nearest supermarket is, where we dispose of the garbage, how we get to the beach and what the bus connections are like here (they are awesome!).
In addition, we were then accompanied to our projects so that everyone can find their way there easily and as quickly as possible. That was great. It was good and relieving at the same time to get help right at the beginning and not have to get an overview of your project on your own.

Areas of responsibility

In the first four weeks I worked in a kindergarten. My day started at 8:30 am. Around this time we were picked up by a bus right in front of our apartment and we drove to the kindergarten together with the children. We were there until about 14 p.m.

One of my tasks was to keep an eye on the children when the kindergarten teacher responsible for me left the room. I was allowed to do handicrafts, play with the children, dance and sing. Although we couldn't understand each other properly, since the children only speak Greek, it was much more fun to communicate with hands and feet. The employees were always friendly, often had small gifts or fresh fruit for me and welcomed me very well from the start. I also gradually developed a bond with the children. You become a part of them, get hugs from time to time and become a playmate, dance partner and mediator.

In the four weeks that followed, I worked in an animal shelter or a sanctuary. I was the first volunteer to work there and was welcomed like family from the start. So much gratitude and love was sprayed from both the employees and the dogs. It became clear to me how good we often have it in Germany with our care and help from the state. Because this animal shelter could not rely on that.

My tasks included feeding the dogs, cleaning the bowls and cages, walking them and lots of cuddling. I was also able to help the professionally trained dog trainer to rebuild the dogs' trust in people. The dogs come straight off the street with very different physical and mental injuries.
The physical injuries are treated by the on-site veterinarian and the volunteers, among others, take care of the mental illnesses. That not only gives the dogs so much, but also gave me a lot. I've built bonds and created trust. If I somehow envisioned this project and this work in advance, then that's exactly how I dreamed it. It was incredible and I really wish everyone to have this experience.

Home & Living

I was accommodated in a house near Heraklion (Gazi), where many other volunteers (in my case they were all Germans) lived there. It is extremely helpful to get in direct contact with other people and to integrate into a group. At the beginning there were some difficulties and inconveniences in my apartment, but this was not a big problem because we were able to cooperate very well with the landlord and the supervisors and my concerns were followed up directly. In my apartment I had a small kitchen, a bathroom, a bed, a table with two chairs and a wardrobe. Completely adequate.

Essen

We were allowed to eat in a nearby restaurant every evening. The food was awesome and we could always choose from five to six different dishes. It was also great that the volunteers always made arrangements to meet up before dinner and then made their way to the restaurant together. So there was no way around talking to the other volunteers and exchanging experiences. I enjoyed every dinner. For example, we also had many long evenings where we played a few rounds of UNO. We laughed a lot and already made plans for the weekend and the next few days.

leisure

On some weekends, the organization offered excursions that we could take part in for little money. It was always a great way to discover as much of the island as possible. In addition, I have often spent time with other volunteers on the beach and have developed many close friendships that continue beyond the trip. With them I also organized trips myself on many weekends and with the super good bus connections it was easy to implement. Otherwise we often met on the roof terraces of other volunteers, spent time together and then went to one or the other bar in Heraklion.

Special experiences

Everything about this trip was special. The people I got to know. Learning new things. Seeing so much suffering, but knowing that you can actively help and make a difference. Immerse yourself in new cultures. To face challenges, to find a way alone and to come out of it all stronger. It CAN only make you stronger and help you later in so many situations in life.

Field report by Sophie, August to October 2022