How is Mariana doing at school?

"Ahoj! My name is Mariana, I’m 18 and I’m now a volunteer at DVC school in Český Těšín. I’m currently living in Třinec with my two wonderful roommates, Aga and Asude. We go all together for work which just makes the way there much funnier.

Now let me tell you a little about my work. In the school I work with young adults with disabilities from 15-30 years old. Since the first moment I felt welcomed by all the staff from teachers to assistants and, obviously, the students. Even though most of them don’t speak English we always find a way to communicate which, for me, is one of the most important parts of working there.

We make so many different activities such as making pasta, candles, soap, bowling, horse therapy, going on walks and visiting animals at a farm! I find these activities so fun and interesting and, in my point of view, so helpful for the students.

Being with them just makes me realise that no matter what our problems might be we should face life with a smile on our face. That’s what the students are constantly reminding me of, and that’s definitely a thing that I wanted to share. It’s almost been two months of these experience and I feel like I’ve learned so much! Smiling, laughing and being genuinely happy it’s what I see every day at my placement. I feel like I have so much more to see and learn and I’m sure that this volunteering experience is the perfect opportunity to do so!

I would like to finish by saying that I really can’t put into words what it feels like being in another country where you don’t know anyone and don’t speak the language. However, if there’s anything that I can say is that is a wonderful experience that I’m sure I won’t regret." (Mariana, Portugal)