Ali REYHAN

Two Months in Madan, Bulgaria: What Volunteering Gave Me

Some journeys change more than the places you visit; they change you. For me, the Green World-2 project I took part in through the European Solidarity Corps (ESC) in Madan, Bulgaria, was exactly that kind of experience.

I volunteered there for two months, between 3 May and 29 June 2026. The project gave me more than new countries and new people: it taught me what solidarity, sharing and living alongside other cultures really mean.

The Door into Volunteering

The journey started with what looked like a complete coincidence. I came across KOZ-DER on social media and applied for my first ESC project.

I heard back far sooner than I expected. After the interview, the visa preparations began. Thanks to the support of KOZ-DER and of Halil, everything moved quickly, smoothly and without a hitch.

And with that I took my first step into one of the most memorable experiences of my life.

A New Village, a New Story Every Day

Throughout Green World-2 we travelled every day to Madan and the villages around it, supporting local people in all sorts of ways. Our volunteering was not only physical work; it was a genuine process of solidarity in which we built strong bonds with people.

Some days we chopped wood to help older families prepare for winter, other days we painted schools to make better learning spaces for children. We mowed the grass in parks and shared spaces, helped with landscaping and took on many other jobs where help was needed.

But the most valuable part of this work was not the tasks themselves — it was the human relationships. People living in the small villages of Bulgaria welcomed us with real warmth and hospitality.

Every day we met new people, listened to their life stories, got to know their culture and collected memories together. The language barrier sometimes made things harder, but we saw that a smile, a small act of help and an honest conversation mean the same thing in every language.

Where Cultures Meet

One of the most important things the project gave me was international friendship. Living in the same accommodation as volunteers from other countries, working together and moving towards shared goals gave me completely new perspectives.

I got to know each country’s traditions, way of life and culture up close. Through the culture nights we prepared together, the food we shared and the long conversations, I understood better how big the world is and how much people have in common.

I believe the friendships we built will outlast the project.

Travel and New Experiences

The project let me discover not only Bulgaria but other parts of Europe too. Over those months I visited seven different countries, saw new cities, met new cultures and took something with me from every trip.

Every country gave me a different story, a different perspective and memories I will not forget.

What Stayed With Me

At the end of two months my suitcase held more than clothes. The memories I collected, the friendships I made, the experience I gained and the lessons I learned came back to Türkiye with me.

Volunteering showed me that even a small act of help can open the door to big change.

Looking back today, joining this project was one of the best decisions I have ever made. If the same opportunity came again, I would set off without a second thought.

Thank You

Goodbye, Madan — thank you for everything you gave me. I hope we meet again.

Thank you to KOZ-DER for making this experience possible, to Halil for supporting me throughout, to the hosting organisation, to my fellow participants and to everyone I met in Madan.