Mallinkainen Summer Camps 2016

In my EVS project the whole month of June I was doing voluntary work for the summer camps in Mallinkainen, Janakkala, Finland. I feel a bit tired now and some muscle pain...Here is the story about the camps shortly week by week, plus some pictures:

Week 23: camp with handcrafts in which kids made their own "Strange creatures" and had many outside activities. I had mainly night shifts and I was very comfortable with that, since I'm kinda "nighttime bird". Although I didnt get much sleep I enjoyed the Finnish midsummer evenings and light nights. In the mornings I had tasty warm porridge for breakfast.

THE NIGHT SHIFTS

DAY CAMP IN THE LOCAL YOUTH CENTER

Week 24: activities and workshops including travel back through the history of Finnish life and camps. The kids had to make decorations and they had a disco in the main hall, the dining room. That week I got badly sick and couldn't participate at all. So, I took antibiotics to avoid any bronchitis or pneumonia. But For the next two weeks I was still coughing, having a back pain because of that coughing and a little bit of sore throat, but in the end I got recovered. Nevertheless, as soon as I got home, I'm going to take a medical checkup, maybe x-Ray.

Week 25: camping into the green and wild nature, hiking trips and interesting handcrafts planned by Lisa, my EVS colleague. During this camp I had a morning shift and I participated in workshop in which the kids made ships out of nature materials and let their ships to float in the lake. They definitely had fun! I also enjoyed my time. Also, during this camp for me was interesting checking the mail and discovering a very suffisticated "alphabet" made up by three girls from the camp. Luckily, they revealed their secret letters to me. Here are pictures:

THE SCHEDULE AND ACTIVITIES

Week 26: The camp at that week was called Lapidarium. The name is not so important anymore, but what happened within the camp. I have planned some of the activities in this camp as well as implemented few art workshops (blackout poetry of course and painting stones. I got only two stones. One stays over the fireplace now in the dining room and says: "Mallinkain 2016"; the other one is made by one wonderful talented girl who I met in one of the schools in Janakkala, Tanttalan koulu. The teens also had handcraft activities in which 2 or 3 international leaders took part and made some art for themselves. 

BULGARIAN ~TRADITIONAL~ MARTENITSA

CAMPFIRE FUN AND THROUBLES:D

I'd like to share some personal impacts about the international workers sent by a Finnish educational institution Allianssi.

So, I had to work with 7 other international camp leaders. I think we didn't get on well very much. Yes, one reason is that the plan (schedule) I made has its flaws but it was open for any changes so we could work out any doubts or issues. That was taken correctly into consideration by the Finnish leaders in charge who helped me out and were supporting. I must say that in collaboration with the Finnish leaders I managed to go through the schedule successfully. I understand the Finnish style in working. 

Although, Most of the time I noticed so many judging looks without saying why, people looking at me, embarrassing me, estimating me with no clue about my personal background or skills; laughing at my back, calling me "cleaning lady" (which is not offensive for me but for them). When were supposed to clean up and tidy indoor area so the kids would feel comfortable The international workers started protesting "but why should we do it? Why 3 times when we did it in the morning?". Also, when they were asked to do cleaning tasks they didn't do their chores completely even when I signed a name on the schedule, assuming that this time they would do it. On Thursday they were given an opportunity to start an action independently (singing at the campfire) they declined saying: "no one else wants to start first, I can't no..." Or "I'm more advanced in singing, if I start first, then the teenagers won't sing"...

I blame nobody and nothing but they should have made more efforts to understand and participate. I trusted them too much, overestimated them maybe. I thought we gonna get more mature and professional people. They came more or less unprepared. I also arrived in Finland inexperienced but ready to learn, to listen and listen a lot, to accept, follow  and do what I'm told and after that to understand or ask. When I came to Finland no one told me what to do. It was really hard. But they give me a chance to decide, opportunities to use and change, and independence to do whatever I'm able and feel comfortable to help with. That's why I put the international workers in my shoes in Finland. I told them that we are all equal, we're all leaders and have to make decisions. I think that they chose the easy way to go with the flow for their own party and fake it. Lastly, I have to comment something on the general rules in Mallinkainen. I expected just a little bit a little bit of respect or that at least someone would remember what we said on the Orientation day. Rules are rules to be obeyed. Do not follow the schedule but regard the GENERAL RULES OF MALLINKAINEN! 

What I'm trying to say:

- using mobile phones to text and chat during working hours;

- One of the international leaders during workshop directly asked: can you guess what is the most famous drink for our country? It's an alcoholic drink very famous..."

My dear lord!! The kids started guessing :( 

- Another one read from a military book in their own language... :( Was it so hard to get anything else from your own country when you have been told to beforehand ?!

- no one of them (internationals) cleaned after their workshops and often misplaced the art supplies;

- no one kept or remembered the handwritten schedule which I gave it at the arrival on the Orientation Day (Lisa only kept and found 2 copies);

My last question is to Allianssi: how do they evaluate international camp workers objectives and skills? Do they?! If you ask me this year they missed that procedure for Janakkala, sadly. 

I feel bad I wrote this but I can't keep it in my head. 

The Good news:

- learned how to make a fire and keep it burning;

- spoke Finnish more than I thought I'm able to and was understood;

- the kids in the camp spoke English most of the time!!;

- everybody had a chance to relax and do what they like to;

- the kids participated in all the international workshops;

- the kids participated in my workshops as well;

- I practiced teaching some art and crafts ;

- I spent time with teenagers just chatting and found it pretty much like a good job;

I gave some hard time to the leaders but in the end we all survived, feeling very tired though. In the end we accepted everything with a smile. I saw lots of smiles and hugs, new friendships and... tears (of joy) :) 

..Peace ~..