ESC in Braga

1. Opportunities
ahead! Braga
MATEUSZ MORDA

2. The beginning
 After I graduated from high school I had a lot of free time. I wanted to use it in some
way. My cousin send me some propositions for voluntary projects. I talked about it with
my family and they encouraged me to apply for one of them. I decided to send an
aplication for a project in Braga. Some time later a got invitation for a meeting with
coordinator from Portugal. To my surprise the meeting went really well because the
same day a got message about choosing me for the project. At first I was a little worried.
I have never done something like that before. I kept asking myself if I can handle all of
this. Ultimately my worries were replaced with curiosity and excietment. I went to this
project with open-mind and willingness to try something new in life.

3.  Project title: Opportunities ahead!
 Coordinating organization: Fundacja Rozwoju Społeczeństwa
Przedsiębiorczego.
 Host organization: ADOC – Associacao de Ocupaco Constante
 Programme: European Solidary Corps

4. Arrival at Portugal
 I came to Portugal at 3th of August. I arrived in Porto with other
volunteer Marek. We took a bus to Braga. After arriving to the city we
were picked up from a bus stop by our coordinators. They took us to our
accomodation. Next day we meet other volunteers and my experience
with the project started.

5. Service in ADOC
 My service in ADOC consisted of work in the garden. Me and other
volunteers were extracting weeds, sweeping the floor and taking out the
trash. Our work most often started at 6 pm. We wolrked twice a week.
Then we were free from Friday to Monday. Except that organisation told
us to do videos to post on social media. Topic of my video was natural
places in Braga.

7. Exploring new places
 This project was for me an opportunity to explore Portugal. I have seen
many interesting places in Braga like Bom Jesus Sanctuary. Also I have
travelled to different cities like Porto, Guimares and Lisbon. They were full
of interesting places to visit. For the first time I had an opportunity to see
the Atlantic Ocean.

8. Bom Jesus Sanctuary, Braga
Picoto, Braga
Jardim de Santa Barbara,
Braga

9. Arco da Rua Augusta,
Lisbon
Estatua de D. Jose
I, Lisbon
Ponte Luis I,
Porto

10. Meeting new people
 Meeting new people was also very important part of this project for me.
Others volunteers that I have meet turn out to be very friendly. We spend
quite a lot of time together, visiting different places and going to other
cities. Our coordinatoras were also very kind. For sure I will remeber the
time I spend with these people and I hope that some day we meet again.

11.  My service ends at 3th of September. That
day I will go back to Poland and I must say
that I am a little sad that all this is coming to
conclusion. It was an amazing experience that
I will sure remember.
 So if you want to take part in that kind of
project don’t hesitate. It is an amazing
experience that will broaden your horizons. I
met new people, saw new places and got to
know about Portugese culture. This is why I
recommend you to try the same.

12. Thank you for your attention.