Be the one who takes action

"During these months I found out that volunteering teaches you to stand up and be the one who takes action, be the one who has the initiative, be the one who starts planting the first seed of a future forest," David wrote. "If we don't stand out and make the difference, how can we pretend to do so with ourselves in the first place? We would end up in a bubble of indifference, comfort zone, and fear, without enjoying life's treasures."

What you take home: courage

For David, the experience added a new value to his set of principles. "The courage of facing the unknown, the courage of being vulnerable sometimes, and the courage of smiling."

You won't be alone

Volunteers at KERIC live, cook, travel and work together – and that community is what most of them remember longest. "Everything would have been meaningless without my friends with whom I shared so much, from rooms and food, to emotions, trips, and time. A big thanks goes to the KERIC team, which brought us together, taught us valuable lessons, and showed us the real Slovakia."

Three lessons from 267 days

• "Everything is possible."
• "It doesn't exist bad weather, just bad clothes."
• "Finally, it is not so horrible."

Dovidenia Slovensko 🇸🇰 – that's how David signed off. Thank you, David, and good luck out there!

Write your own 267 days

David's story started with a single application. If you are 18–30 years old and his words speak to you, become an ESC volunteer at KERIC in Čadca. You will work with children and young people, live with an international team of volunteers – and discover the real Slovakia for yourself. Accommodation, food allowance, pocket money, travel costs and a Slovak language course are covered by the European Solidarity Corps.

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Hey to volunteering
Šimon Mareček