Youngsters take action for the planet - Eva from Germany in Belgium

Eva Ehmann (18) from Germany is taking a gap year after high school. She will work for nine months as a volunteer at Horizon Educatief in Ostend in Belgium. She is giving workshops about the sea and the climate.

How did you end up at Horizon Educatief?
"In Germany it is tradition to take a gap year after high school. I knew for a long time that I definitely wanted to go abroad to learn a new language and culture. Online I came across the European Solidarity Corps and out of the many options I finally ended up here. Horizon Education suits me perfectly, because children and the climate are close to my heart. Those passions come together in the workshops, an ideal combination."

What does an average workday look like?
"Every day is different. I support where I can and help prepare the workshops. Meanwhile, I have already given a few workshops myself. These are very different: for children of all ages, adults or the whole family. In the course of the year I am going to develop and give my own workshop, that's exciting!"

What is the best thing about your volunteer work?
"I really like that at Horizon Educatief we always start from play and experience. In this way we make participants aware of the state of the climate without being pedantic. For example, one exercise in a workshop is to stop the flood with a sand wall, which of course fails. We then link that to climate change and the rising of the sea."

What message do you have for other young people?
"I would recommend volunteering to everyone! I was still living at home in Germany and went to cohousing here for the first time. I learn to go to the store and cook for myself, make new friends and discover Belgian culture. Everyone should go on such an adventure once in their life!"

Updated on Lunes, 08/05/2023