My ESC Journey: Embracing May in Sirvintos

Hey everyone, May has brought a whole new vibe to my ESC volunteering adventure. As the month began, the days have become brighter and more enjoyable. The temperatures are now hovering around 22-23 degrees Celsius, and what's truly fascinating is how the evenings stay illuminated until about 3 AM. It's an experience I never had back in Turkey, and adjusting to the perpetual daylight has made sleep a bit of a challenge, it's hard to wind down when it never gets truly dark.

Early in May, we celebrated the opening of the Youth Center in Gelvonai, marking a significant community event. The Mayor of Sirvintos, Zivile, joined us for the opening, where we watched a short video highlighting the transformation of the Youth Center from its initial stages to its current setup. We also had play Kahoot during the event.

May picked up pace with our ongoing activities at the Youth Center. Every Monday, we hosted workshops related to our English Club, sparking engaging discussions and learning sessions.  One of the highlights this month was the Eurovision Song Contest. Turkey is not participating, the arrival of Sertab Erener as a guest made it a special event for me. We teamed up with the Cultural Center to host an outdoor event in a cafe garden, where we watched the semi-finals and finals. Despite the chilly nights, listening to songs from different countries was incredibly enjoyable. Lithuania placed 14th in this year's competition.

As the weather continued to warm up, I, admittedly not a fan of hot weather, found solace in the relaxed days spent in Gelvonai and Musninkaie. We spent more time doing puzzles, playing Uno, or engaging in outdoor games. On May 16th, we turned the Youth Center into a full-fledged nightclub for our Disco Night, complete with a DJ. The turnout surprised me, but the energy and fun we had with the music and design were absolutely worth it.

Reflecting on May, it's been a month of growth and connection. Every moment spent here enriches my understanding of community, culture, and the impact of volunteering. I look forward to what June holds, eager to continue contributing to Sirvintos and embracing new experiences along the way.