Who am I?

Hello, dear future volunteers and volunteering enthusiasts!
My name is Mihail Mitkov – a curious twenty-two-year-old. I am a student at Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”, where I study Slavic Philology with Czech language. I am mainly interested in linguistics – in the way language works and in the structures that allow us to create our thoughts and share parts of ourselves with reality in whatever form that may be.

Besides languages, I love long walks in nature and hiking in the mountains. I believe there is something truly idyllic about it, and observing natural landscapes brings me great pleasure.

My first steps in volunteering

Before my three-month volunteering experience in the South Moravian Region of the Czech Republic, I would never have dared to call myself a volunteer – at least not for such a long period of time. I had participated in charity Christmas markets and twice in the campaign “Let’s Clean Bulgaria in One Day”, but these experiences are difficult to compare to long-term volunteering.

By coincidence, my adventure in Brno was also my first independent trip abroad for more than a few hours. Before that, I had never been away from my family for more than a week. I had many worries before leaving, but later realized that they had been unnecessary.

Fortunately, throughout this entire period, I had the support and patience of Association FOR YOU.

Volunteering at Kaprálův mlýn

I was selected as a volunteer at the wonderful nature conservation and scout center Kaprálův mlýn, located about 10 kilometers north of Brno, as part of a European Solidarity Corps project. The center cooperates with the Czech scout organization “Junák”, and the location is well connected to the city by bus.

Kaprálův mlýn, also known as the mill, truly was a mill in the past and was transformed into a scout center in the 20th century. It is situated in a beautiful valley surrounded by deciduous forest, eco-trails, and caves that are open to visitors almost all year round. Nearby is the village of Ochoz u Brna.

Accommodation and living conditions

The volunteers were accommodated in the so-called The Straw House – a building inspired by traditional architecture but equipped with all modern conveniences. We had access to a fully equipped kitchen, a living room with a projector and board games, two bathrooms, and four bedrooms.

Electricity was also provided through solar panels, which was extremely impressive. Despite occasional unstable internet or power outages after storms, the living conditions were more than good. By the end of July, we relied entirely on green energy, which showed me how sustainable life in nature can be.

My daily life as a volunteer

There was no boredom. Every week I received a schedule with tasks adapted to my preferences. During the summer months, my main role was assisting the scout camps. Often, 50–60 people from different European countries stayed at the center.

I participated in organizing and leading activities such as caving, abseiling, and aquazorbing, and I led some of them myself. The work did not feel like work, but rather like a series of interesting and meaningful days.

At the end of the summer, I also joined a nature conservation project focused on preventing the spread of invasive plant species in the South Moravian Region. I even learned how to cook the Czech dish krkovice.

What lessons did I take with me?

Volunteering gave me the opportunity to experience independence and life outside the city. I discovered that I prefer a slower pace of life and its simple joys.

I learned to adapt quickly, to live with people from different cultures, and to accept differences. I realized how similar we all are despite our differences. I also gained practical skills – from painting and weeding to operating a small tractor.

Most valuable to me, however, were the friendships and the direct human connections I made along the way.

A message to future volunteers

Do not be afraid to embark on an adventure, step out of your comfort zone, and be useful wherever you go. Volunteering is an exceptional opportunity for personal, cultural, and practical development. In a foreign environment, people grow, discover new perspectives, and begin to see the world in a different way.

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The European Commission’s support for the production of this publication does not constitute an endorsement of the content, which reflects the views of the authors alone, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein.