Evropska solidarnostna enota ESE (ali European solidarity corps) je del evropskih programov na področju mladine in solidarnosti. Mladim osebam ponuja priložnosti za udejstvovanje v solidarnostnih aktivnostih na različnih področjih, kot so vključevanje migrantov, okoljskih izzivih, preprečevanju naravnih nesreč, mladinskih dejavnostih in humanitarni pomoči. Mladim ponuja izkušnjo, ki zagotavlja navdih in opolnomočenje mladih, ki želijo pomagati, se učiti in razvijati.

V okviru projekta, so se nam za 8 mesecev v KNOF-u, pridružili trije ESE prostovoljci – Asil, Emanuel in Okay. Zastavili smo jim nekaj vprašanj, da jih bolje spoznamo. Drugi se nam predstavi prostovoljec Emanuel.

Kako bi se opisal(od kje prihajaš, tvoji hobiji, interesi)? Zaupaj nam kakšno zanimivost o sebi?

Sem mladenič svobodnega duha z otoka Madeira na Portugalskem. Zanimajo me predvsem narava, umetnost, oblikovanje, šport, vesolje in tehnologija. Moji najljubši hobiji so pohodništvo in raziskovanje novih krajev v naravi ali gorah. Pred kratkim sem odkril, da si rad vzamem odmor za risanje pokrajine in da me to sprošča. Rad gledam nebo, pa naj bo podnevi ali ponoči.

Zakaj si se odločil za prostovoljstvo na KNOF-u?

Iskal sem priložnosti za izvedbo dolgoročnega projekta ESE in ko sem odkril Knof sem pomislil: “To je za projekt ESE še boljše, kot sem mislil, da je mogoče.” Ta projekt obravnava veliko stvari, o katerih sem se želel učiti in pri katerih sem želel delati, zato se mi je zdela to odlična priložnost.

Česa se želiš naučiti/realizirati v naslednjih 8 mesecih?

Želim se veliko naučiti o okolju, poslovanju, krožnem gospodarstvu in o tem, kako te teme delujejo skupaj, nato pa se naučiti novih orodij za njihovo boljšo trajnostno povezovanje. Ker je to zame nova izkušnja, mislim, da bom nekatere stvari spoznal tudi na osebni ravni.

KNOF deluje na področju trajnosti, krožnega gospodarstva,…katero področje tebe najbolj zanima?

Če sem iskren, me zanimajo vsa področja. Težko je izbrati samo eno ali dve. Rekel bi, da me zanima, kako se vsa ta področja med seboj prepletajo in celostni pogled.

Od kod izvira tvoje zanimanje za trajnost, krožno gospodarstvo?

Spomnim se, da je bil moj prvi stik s trajnostnim razvojem in okoljem v osnovni šoli, ko smo skupaj z učiteljico čistili šolske vrtove in pobirali smeti ter sami naredili koše za recikliranje. Naučila nas je, kako ločevati in reciklirati. Tudi sam sem doma začel reciklirati smeti, nato pa se mi je pridružila vsa družina. Vedno sem imel rad živali in gledal dokumentarne filme o planetu. Sčasoma se mi je vse združilo.

Kako pa ti prispevaš k bolj trajnostnem načinu življenja?

Prizadevam si (še vedno se trudim), da se bolj zavedam svojih odločitev, ko uporabljam ali kupujem stvari. V zadnjih nekaj letih sem postal bolj minimalističen in se izogibam lastništvu stvari, ki jih ne potrebujem ali so zame nepomembne. O teh temah se rad pogovarjam tudi z družino in prijatelji ter na ta način morda osveščam tudi druge ljudi.

Kakšni so tvoji prvi vtisi o KNOF-u in življenju v Sloveniji?

Zelo dobri! V Knofu se počutim kot del družine, ki jo spoznavam. Ljudje so zelo prijazni, zabavni in ustrežljivi. Slovenija je čudovita. Rad bi živel v majhnem mestu, ki je mirno in sproščujoče, z veliko narave v okolici, ki jo lahko raziskuješ.

Kakšne razlike opažaš med krajem od koder prihajaš in tu kjer si sedaj?

Prihajam iz majhnega kraja z veliko narave. Zato se počutim kot doma. Seveda se včasih pojavi jezikovna ovira, zlasti pri branju informacij na javnih mestih, včasih pa tudi v stikih z domačini. Nebo je drugačno, oblaki in poteze s čopiči so popolnoma drugačni kot doma, obožujem slovensko nebo! V primerjavi z otokom tudi tukaj odkrivam veliko priložnosti na področju trajnostnih tem, kar me navdaja z pričakovanji za prihodnje mesece.

Bi še kaj dodal?

Slovenske pokrajine imajo mojo najljubšo barvno kombinacijo.

How would you describe yourself (where are you from, your hobbies, interests) Tell us something interesting about yourself?

Young man free nature spirit from Madeira island, Portugal. My interests are mainly connected to nature, art, design, sports, space, and technology. My favorite hobbies are hiking in nature, and exploring new places often in nature/mountains. Recently discovered that I enjoy taking a break to draw the landscape, and find it relaxing. I love to look at the sky is it day or night.

Why did you decide to volunteer at KNOF?

I was looking for opportunities to do an ESC long-term project and when I discovered Knof, I thought “This is even better than I thought to be possible” for an ESC project. This project addresses so many of the things I wanted to learn about and work on, so I found it an amazing opportunity.

What do you want to learn/realize in the next 8 months?

I want to learn a lot about the environment, business, circular economy, and how these big topics work together, to then learn/practice new tools to better connect them sustainably. As this is a new experience for me, I think I will also realize some things more on a personal level.

KNOF works on sustainability, and circular economy,… which area of KNOF’s work are you most interested in?

To be honest I’m interested in all areas. Is hard to choose only one or two. I would say, I’m interested in understanding how all these areas play with each other and realize the holistic view.

Where does your interest in sustainability, and circular economy come from?

As I remember my first contact with sustainability and the environment came from my Teacher in primary school when together we cleaned all the school gardens collecting the trash, built recycling bins, and then she taught us how to separate and recycle. After that, I started recycling alone at home, and then all my family joined me. I always loved animals and watch documentaries about the planet. With time everything joined.

How do you contribute to a more sustainable way of life?

I try (still a work in progress) to be more conscious of my choices when using or buying things. In the last few years, I’ve become more minimalist, avoiding possessing what is not needed or meaningful to me. I also like to talk about these topics with family, and friends and in this way maybe make some people aware and interested in these issues.

What are your first impressions of KNOF and life in Slovenia?

Very good! In Knof I feel part of a family that I’m getting to know. People are very friendly, fun and helpful. Slovenia is beautiful! I like to be in a small town, that is calm, and relaxing, with a lot of nature around to explore.

What differences do you notice between where you come from and where you are now?

I’m from a small place with a lot of nature. So in a way feels like home.Of course, there is sometimes the language barrier, especially when reading information in public places, as well as sometimes with locals. The sky is different, the clouds, and the brush strokes from airplanes, are completely different from home, I love Slovenia skies! Also here, compared to the island, I’m discovering so many opportunities on sustainability topics, which makes me eager for the future months.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Slovenia landscapes have my favorite color combination.