My Volunteering Journey: Almost the End of My Adventure in Lithuania

It’s hard to believe, but there’s just one month left of my volunteering experience in Lithuania, and it’s making me feel a little sad. It’s strange how quickly time has passed. When you get used to a place and the people around you, it becomes part of your routine, and leaving it behind feels bittersweet. I’ve spent almost 10 months here, and over time, Lithuania has become a second home.

We’ve done so many interesting activities during our time here. One of the most memorable was for International Women’s Day. We made handcrafted roses and baked cookies, which we then gave out to random people on the streets. It was such a fun experience, seeing the smiles on people’s faces as they received our little gifts. It felt good to spread some happiness.

It was also time to say goodbye to Eren, a fellow volunteer whose journey was coming to an end. Shortly after, we welcomed Adrian, a new volunteer from Spain. After that, it was time for mid-term training, and I was looking forward to it. It felt like a mini holiday, meeting new people, sharing our experiences from different cities in Lithuania, and reflecting on our volunteering journeys. During the training, we also learned more about what we can do after our volunteering experience ends and how to continue making an impact.

The post-mid-term phase was a bit sad, but in a good way. It’s like when a holiday ends—you feel a little sad it’s over, but also happy for the memories and the time spent. Once we returned, we went to Gelvonai, where we had an amazing day with the youngsters. We participated in a theatre activity and spent time doing fun activities with them. We also had the chance to watch their performances, which was a wonderful experience.

In school, we shared our volunteering stories and talked about Erasmus, explaining how students can apply for a chance to volunteer in another country. It was great to help them understand the opportunities that lie ahead.

One of the highlights of the month was the Waffle Day, which took place in both Gelvonai and Sirvintos. We spent the day baking and serving waffles, which was a delicious and fun experience. Soon after, we bid farewell to Victoria, another volunteer whose time had come to an end. We had a small goodbye party, which was both happy and sad at the same time, as we realized how quickly the time had passed.

Overall, my volunteering experience in Lithuania has been unforgettable. I’ve learned so much, met incredible people, and made memories that will stay with me forever. As I approach the end of my journey, I’m grateful for everything and everyone I’ve encountered along the way.

Thank you for reading my blog, and I’ll be back with another one soon!