Meet our volunteer Burak!

February 17, 2025

Hello, I am Burak! I am from Türkiye, 29 years old, and studying for a master’s degree in the humanities in Italy. In my free time, I mostly do drawings or photography with my beloved analog camera. The best advice I could give to my 12-year-old self: “Do not fear speaking up and do not let anyone else set barriers to your dreams or desires…”

Three words that describe me best: Creative, mindful, and solitary.

What inspired me to become a volunteer:

For a long time, I really wanted to do something that could touch the lives of young people in a local environment. When I was younger, I couldn’t find a place to channel my energy outside of school hours, nor did I understand what kind of skills I had. Missing these kinds of experiences in my teenage years, and having the chance to experience them with youth, was another major reason I decided to become a volunteer. Thankfully, my path crossed with beautiful Estonia and the wonderful organization of TNTK, giving me the opportunity to impact the lives of young people.

Previous volunteering: I worked as a content writer for the Istanbul-based urban-hacking platform Onaranlar Kulübü (Fixers’ Club) and participated in urban-hacking installations around Istanbul.

A typical day at the youth center: My work starts around 1 p.m. When the different age groups come to our center in Ilmatsalu, I play board games with them, help them with crafts, and draw pictures together. Every Thursday, we organize cooking clubs, where the young people are the main stars of the activity.

Favorite moment: On my first day at Ilmatsalu, I was greeted with applause and a heart-warming hug from two sisters who regularly attend our youth center. They said, “We already like Burak so much!” When I heard that, I realized I was already touching their hearts.

One message for the youth: Always pursue your desires. It’s better to experience them, even if they don’t have a perfect ending. Having regrets about not doing what you truly wanted is worse than experiencing it, even if the outcome is far from ideal.

If my life were a movie, the director would be Martin Scorsese, and the genre would probably be drama/musical.

news:

The Tartu Work Brigade is opening its anniversary exhibition today at the Tartu City Museum!

Today, April 17 at 4 p.m., the Tartu Youth Work Brigade’s 30th anniversary exhibition will open in the courtyard of the Tartu City Museum, bringing together brigade members from different generations and telling the story of how young people’s work habits have evolved over three decades. For many young people aged 13–19, the Tartu Youth Work Brigade has been their first exposure to working life. Over the course of thirty years, thousands of young people from Tartu have participated in the brigade,

Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion — Our German Learning Mobility Program

Diversity, equity, and inclusion in youth work mean creating a safe and supportive environment where differences are not only acknowledged but also genuinely valued and encouraged. This means ensuring equal access, active participation, and a sense of belonging for all young people. This approach goes beyond merely taking into account differences in origin, gender, abilities, or orientation; it is aimed at removing barriers, expanding opportunities for marginalized and minority groups, and ensuring their full inclusion in all activities. Inclusion

For Your Information: Sleep as a Superpower

With the arrival of spring—accompanied by birdsong and the awakening of nature—comes a period that is stressful and hectic for so many young people and adults alike. Whether it’s due to graduations, the final stages of various projects, or simply the anticipation of summer. During this time, it’s important to take care of your health and maintain your routines, one of the most important of which is a healthy sleep routine

Connected internationally! A week in Latvia—fun, interesting, and memorable!

Eight young people from the Tartu Youth Work Center had the amazing opportunity to take part in the “Toolbox for Tomorrow” youth exchange in Latvia, which focused on digital tools, environmental development, design, and storytelling. Over 40 young people from Estonia, Latvia, Turkey, Italy, and Hungary took part in the youth exchange. On March 7, we set off with the group from Tartu train station toward Valmiera,

The Erasmus+ project gave young people the opportunity to organize their own esports event

At the end of February, the A. Le Coq Sport Sports Center was filled with e-sports enthusiasts for the Game in Tartu 2026 festival, dedicated to gaming culture. Over the course of two days, nearly 500 people from across Estonia visited the event; 20 organizations showcased their activities; and more than 50 organizers and volunteers contributed to the festival’s success. As part of Game in Tartu 2026, there was

The Tartu Youth Work Brigade is celebrating its 30th anniversary with a new visual identity

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Tartu Youth Work Brigade. This is a significant milestone that demonstrates Tartu’s consistent commitment to providing young people with their first work experiences, fostering their independence, and developing their social skills. To mark the anniversary, the work camp has also received a new visual identity that uses vibrant colors to reflect the energy of young people and brings together symbols that are important to the camp participants.

School Break City Camp – One Day, One Place, Lots of Fun!

We put together a varied program for every school break, but City Camp Day is the most special day of the entire break. On this day, Tartu’s youth gather at a single youth center. While all five centers are usually open, during City Camp, activities take place in just one location. This gives young people the chance to visit a place they might not otherwise go to on a daily basis