Hello, I’m Elif Özge. As part of the European Solidarity Corps (ESC) Volunteering Project, I volunteered in Bosnia and Herzegovina for a month through the Bülbülzade Foundation. This was my first ESC experience, and having this journey with EMMAUS—one of the most established and impactful NGOs in Bosnia and Herzegovina—was both inspiring and a great opportunity for me.
For a month, I volunteered at the Duje Rehabilitation Center located in the Klokotnica village of the Doboj Istok region. Every day, I joined the doctor on rounds, accompanied adult therapy sessions, spent time in children’s physiotherapy rooms, and helped pack meals prepared for those in need. I also worked alongside the center’s tailor, where I learned how to use a sewing machine—and I gained so much throughout this process.
It was the first time in my life that I used a sewing machine, and I truly enjoyed it. Using the machine made me feel good; that sense of focus and creation was really fulfilling. I’m even considering making sewing a hobby in the future. During this month, I experienced many things for the first time.
I stepped inside a greenhouse for the first time and picked cucumbers with my own hands. I went to a boxing match for the first time. I even wore a beekeeping suit for the first time—just being inside that suit was a unique experience in itself. Each of these moments taught me something new and helped me get to know myself better.
Getting to know a new culture and language, making Bosnian friends, stepping out of my comfort zone to push my personal boundaries, and realizing that volunteering has become a turning point in my life—all of this not only gave me confidence but also taught me to see the world through a braver, more hopeful, and more meaningful lens.
This experience has helped me grow both personally and professionally, and I hope it inspires everyone who dreams of volunteering.
