Global Volunteers Team Journal Zakopane 2010

Thought for the Day: "God does not require that we succeed. God only asks that we serve." Mother Theresa.

Shared by Sue


Our team assembled at the Krakow airport on Saturday, June 26, and journeyed to Zakopane in a very comfortable bus. We arrived at Hotel Wanta and received our room assignments and then enjoyed a wonderful Polish evening meal. Meanwhile another driver was collecting two members of the team who had been led on adventures by their airlines. They were able to arrive in mid-evening and get settled in as well.
Several went out for walk, exploring Zakopane. All appeared to enjoy a good night’s sleep in the mountain air.

After a plentiful Polish breakfast, our team adjourned to the conference room. Dorota, our team leader, started the morning by reviewing the history and accomplishments of the Global Volunteers program in Poland, noting the program would be celebrating its 20th anniversary in October. We also reviewed the Global Volunteer working principles. Our next orientation task culminated with five team goals:

• To assist students to gain confidence in using their English skills;
• To discover Poland;
• To build understanding between cultures;
• To develop team synergy; and
• To grow personally.

The team identified the following team characteristics:

• Sharing ideas;
• Objectivity;
• Flexibility;
• Respect;
• Curiosity and openness;
• Patience;
• Taking advantage of our different skills, ages, gender, and backgrounds; and
• Sense of humor.

We discussed teaching materials team members had brought with them and reviewed the teaching materials provided by Global Volunteers.

After a delicious lunch, we took a walk with the students and the Prus High School teachers to the Villa Atma.

Then we went to the wooden church and old cemetery. Some of the team members took a short walk to a nearby church and attended Mass. Others gathered at the Milka Festival stage and enjoyed the dance activities there.

After kolacja, we were welcomed to Poland by the camp director and met the teachers who are here with us, acting as camp counselors. Then we each met our group of students and planning for the first day of teaching began.

Submitted by Lori