My experience as a youth work volunteer in Estonia

June 17, 2020

Mahatma Gandhi said, ”The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” It has been a true pleasure to work for Estonian youth as a volunteer for the European Solidarity Corps (ESC) at the Tartu Youth Work Center.

I have always wanted to be a prosecutor. However, since the beginning of my volunteer service, I have dreamed of having my own organization dedicated to the rights of children and young people. Who knows, maybe one day I'll even work globally, like UNICEF. This article is not about my plans, of course. Instead, I'm writing about the biggest lessons I learned while in Estonia. So, let's go!

I have always enjoyed observing people. I learn the most from the people around me. I want to tell some stories that are very inspiring to me, and I hope they will touch you too.

As you know, I volunteer at the Tartu Youth Work Center. Youth work is not my learned profession. Despite this, my colleagues have treated me as an equal. From the beginning of my journey, this has deeply touched me and made me fond of the entire team. This is not the place to single out two or three people I've collaborated with – I have twenty wonderful colleagues who give their best every day as youth workers!

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

Through these people, I learned that:
– You can be a respected leader of an organization. And not by being an overbearing boss, but by being human and gentle!
– No matter how different your new colleagues are, you can still find a peaceful way to cooperate with them!
– No matter how much you think you know, wisdom and knowledge don't have to be shared condescendingly; it can be done kindly and friendly!
– No matter how much less experienced you are compared to others, you can confidently learn from them!

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

This is what I call professionalism. These individuals know how to work on themselves, which enables them to build a dedicated and effective team.

Working at a youth center is not just about who you work with, but also who you work for. Nelson Mandela has said: “Our children are the rock on which our future will be built, our greatest asset as a nation. They will be the leaders of our country, the creators of our national wealth, those who care for and protect our people.”

Yes, we work for the benefit of young people! I am so proud of this. During my volunteer service, I learned that ONE caring adult can make a big difference in children's lives. I decided that I would be that ONE adult: I encourage them to dream, listen to them, and spend time with them.
Honestly, what I love most about my job is loving my colleagues and the young people! The most important part of the ESC experience wasn't just working; I also immensely enjoyed building new international relationships and learning about other cultures. I realized that another thing I love about my volunteer service is being able to learn new things to teach my young people. It's a wonderful feeling!

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

In conclusion, it can be said that we indeed have two hands – one for helping ourselves and the other for helping others. But with the hand I use to help others, I have received more.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

Ana Dvalashvili

Volunteer at the European Solidarity Corps at Tartu Youth Work Center

news:

A mobile youth center will be on the move in Tartu this summer

From June 1 to September 1, the Tartu Youth Work Center is launching the MoNo bus—a youth center on wheels—as part of a pilot project, bringing youth work to young people at their everyday gathering places. It is a specially adapted van designed to provide young people with a safe and supportive environment in areas where youth work services are currently unavailable or where young people cannot easily access them on a daily basis. MoNo

Youth workers from the Tartu Youth Work Center on a study trip to Portugal

From April 19–26, youth workers from the Tartu Youth Work Center participated in a study trip to Lisbon, Portugal, as part of the Erasmus+ program, to learn about local street youth work methods, non-formal education, and ways to support young people in the NEET situation. Study trips give youth workers the opportunity to step outside their usual work environment for a moment, learn about different practices, and bring the knowledge and effective solutions they gain back to their own community (Pavlakias and

Tartu Youth Work Center Study Tour Seminar: Bringing Together Knowledge from Around the World

This spring, the staff of the Tartu Youth Work Center went on two study trips: one to Cologne, Germany, and the other to Lisbon, Portugal. On June 3, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m., we will gather in the NOKK room on the second floor of the Anne Youth Center (Uus 56, Tartu) for an information seminar on this year’s study trips. We invite all youth workers, activity leaders, and interested city residents from Tartu, Tartu County, and beyond to our information seminar,

“Let’s start a green-thumbed club!”

With the arrival of spring, there’s a growing desire to be outdoors and do something interesting—something that brings joy, excitement, and sparks curiosity. At the Lillekese Youth Center, we’ve found gardening to be the perfect activity for this. We started one Wednesday by weeding the flower bed in front of the Lille House gate. We divided up the tasks on the spot—one person weeds here, another

The Voice of Youth in the Action Plan

Actively involving young people in developing the youth center’s action plan is an important step in fostering their sense of participation and responsibility. Children aged 7–11 are able to successfully express their interests and ideas when provided with a safe and supportive environment. One effective way to do this is through a monthly brainstorming session, during which young people can freely suggest activities and topics. Young people’s opinions matter and have a real impact on the life of the youth center. In addition to the idea generator, it is important to gather ongoing feedback on daily activities to understand what resonates with young people and what needs to be changed. The youth worker’s role here is to guide: to help make ideas more concrete, then link them to an action plan, and involve partners as needed. Even with younger children, simple tools such as voting, drawing, or discussion circles can be used. In a young person’s life, everything changes very quickly: what was relevant two weeks ago

Come work with us this summer – 0.5 FTE mobile youth worker

Mobile Youth Worker (0.5 FTE) For the period June 1 – August 31 Job responsibilities: establishing contact and communicating with young people on the street and in other public places; carrying out youth work activities in the mobile youth work bus; introducing opportunities to young people and supporting them in finding suitable activities; assisting youth workers at the youth center as needed. Requirements for the candidate: higher education (may be in progress); good communication and planning

Students from Annelinna High School visited the Lille Youth Center

The Lille Youth Center, part of the Tartu Youth Work Center, offers young people a wide range of opportunities for participation and personal development. Schools are welcome to visit us for project days or to encourage their students to join our clubs. The clubs operating at the Lille Youth Center include the Hiking Club, Cooking Club, Book Club, Career Club, and the sex education club “Seks vä?”. In addition, we organize city-wide major events, where we welcome young people to actively participate in the organizing teams.