It was an amazing experience in Athens to attend the photo exhibition hosted by IASIS NGO. The pictures taken by all the partner organizations exhibited in the exhibition were really touching and displayed the power and necessity of volunteering in crisis situations. The role that ordinary citizens can play to support the volunteers is as significant as the role of the volunteers themselves. The effort being done by IASIS in the city of Athens and surroundings is phenomenal, especially the work they are doing with the mentally challenged people and has definitely left a mark. 

Coordinators Lorena and Bojana from NGO Mladiinfo Montenegro also took part in a photo exhibition in Athens from February 25th to 28th.

Expectations were high since this is was the first time we were visiting Athens. Each of us went with some special goal or expectation to visit this city.

Coordinator Lorena started studying architecture a few months before it was announced that she would be going to Athens for the photo exhibition. One of her semester assignments was related to, guess what, the Parthenon. She had never seen it before, her inspiration were only photos. Therefore, she was thankful for the chance to see it in real life. Besides that, both of them had been actively participating in organizing the O’visor photo contest in Montenegro, so the exhibition in Athens was going to be a step forward towards reaching the goal of this project.

On the other hand, Bojana’s expectations were that she would find some new ideas for improving the organization and see some different organizational management practices. Of course wherever we go we always expect to find new partnerships, new contacts as well as new experiences. So it was this time too, we met a lot of new people, created partnerships and recharged the batteries for other activities within this and other projects.

Regarding the exhibition itself, it was perfectly organized. When we say exhibition, we don’t just mean the part where we saw the chosen photos, but also everything that ISAIS members showed us that day. It meant a lot to us to see some good practices of continuously helping people without giving up, and actually getting results. We were all very emotional while listening to how hard it is for older people in Athens who live alone and don’t have a single person in their life. And then there are the amazing IASIS volunteers who help them every day and make their lives happier. We also realized that young people in Greece are very aware of how important volunteering is and what impact they can make by devoting some of their time to it. We wish to see that in Montenegro and other countries one day as well, but that’s what O’visor is all about, isn’t it? Therefore, we are really grateful that this project exists and that NGO Mladiinfo Montenegro get to be a part of it and we to meet people who genuinely want to see a difference but also to help make the difference.

Through the O’VISOR (Only What You Give is Yours) project, we come to you with a new and exciting series of Karl Popper debates being held in a city near you starting this April! If you are between the ages 16-35 and wish to learn to become an engaged citizen, gain valuable life skills, speak your truth, and be in a room of your peers to engage in active intercultural conversation, then a Karl Popper Debate is the right platform for you!

The aim of the O’visor Debate Competition is to raise awareness about volunteering and charity, and also to facilitate in an attractive way the development of skills, abilities, and knowledge of the participants. This debating is intended to educate while teaching hard-work and social etiquette as well. 

As kids we all have used Wikipedia to search for the origin of a word, and we have all bumped into the fraze “it comes from the Greek word…”. By this we have a sense of the Greeks’ influence on today’s literature and philosophy. So I’m going to take you through a stroll of our adventure in this photo exhibit project in Greece. This experience showed me how volunteers in crisis situations shape lives and social needs. After the photo contest in which ten countries took place (Greece, Bosnia, Serbia, Croatia, Italy, Hungary, Albania, Montenegro, and Luxembourg), I got the bigger picture of how people take care of themselves in crisis situations.

I had the opportunity to explore the historical metropolis and learn about the art and history of the city, alongside meeting new positive people that will stay in my memory for a lifetime with their perception and way of thinking. I felt in a way that we all belong together, and should be compact and react for the better of the whole group, not only individually. In these times when we’re faced with some type of a crisis situation we want to meet common people, those types that actually look to help the whole society not only looking out for their interests. 

These types of projects are why we believe in a better future, and actually make a step towards a better society as a whole. It’s nice to hear someone sing your song, but imagine when the whole group gets the rhythm of the music right as well. That’s the feeling I was left with my last steps in this chapter, and can’t wait to start the next chapter.

“Harmony is a symphony, and symphony is an agreement” -Platon.

Follow our various social media channels to find out how to get involved in your local communities: Website, Facebook, Instagram. 

Remember, ONLY WHAT YOU GIVE IS YOURS.

#BRAVO #BRAVOBIH #WORLDOFCHANGE #MAKETHEWORLDWONDER #BRAVOVISOR #ONLYWHATYOUGIVEISYOURS #EuropeForCitizens

Between the 25^th-28^th of February, IASIS NGO had the honor to host partners from 9 different European countries in the context of  O’visor project and to organize a photo exhibition in Athens. Μore specifically, the photo exhibition was based on voluntary intervention in crisis situations, such as earthquakes, fires and other natural disasters. The photos were collected by natural disaster activists and depicted different ways of intervening in crisis situations. It is also proof that in the face of a natural disaster all people are equal. We are proud of hosting partners from 9 different countries and to all interact with our volunteers, participate in interesting workshops and exchange good practices all together for the same cause.

In the context of O’visor project and of our partners hosting in Greece, we also organized a study visit to our first boarding house, where our partners had the opportunity to get to know better with the services provided through our NGO to vulnerable people with mental health problems. Our partners also had the chance to get to know with the intervention in the community program as well as our clothing bank, Fabric Republic.

The day after, we had the opportunity together with our partners to visit the historical monuments of the city and to organize a pleasant, guided tour of our partners and participants in the center of Athens. We are looking forward to meeting you at the next Sarajevo photo exhibition in April, as well as to participate to the local and international rounds of Karl Popper Debate competition.

Follow our various social media channels to find out how to get involved in your local communities: Website, Facebook, Instagram. 

Remember, ONLY WHAT YOU GIVE IS YOURS.

#BRAVO #BRAVOBIH #IASISNGO #MAKETHEWORLDWONDER #BRAVOVISOR #ONLYWHATYOUGIVEISYOURS #EuropeForCitizens

My experience in the project “O’Visor” was amazing in terms of what I was able to learn about helping others. I have a history of projects dedicated especially to young people, but we put the focus on Crisis management, which sadly is becoming more of a problem nowadays.

 

One of the good reasons this project is successful, relies in the cooperation among countries which really represent Europe and its good parts. Having the chance to share how certain topics are perceived in other countries, what “help” means in other places, is one thing I will keep with me and try to replicate in my local context. – Paolo Senatore

“O’Visor” represents a truly enriching experience, in all its forms. Just the level of the partnership is a powerful tool on which we could fulfill real European values. The pictures regarding crisis management helped me understand the power of the people, where even a little help can mean something great for others. With me I will bring the understanding of how people can help in any way, and how everything is important even small things. – Imma Criscuolo

Follow our various social media channels to find out how to get involved in your local communities: Website, Facebook, Instagram. 

Remember, ONLY WHAT YOU GIVE IS YOURS.

#BRAVO #BRAVOBIH #MOBYDICKETS #MAKETHEWORLDWONDER #BRAVOVISOR #ONLYWHATYOUGIVEISYOURS #EuropeForCitizens