Bünyamin BAYUTMUŞ

Hello everyone,

I am Bünyamin. In the summer of 2025 I joined a volunteering project starting on 30 June through KOZ-DER. Making that decision was exciting and a little uncertain. Going to another country, meeting new people and adapting to a completely new environment gave me pause at first. But I always had a strong feeling that the experience would give me a great deal — and I am so glad I took the step.

My Volunteering and the Activities

Madan, the town in Bulgaria where I went, first captivated me with its nature. Within a short time I adapted not only to its landscape but to its social life. Both the warmth of local people and the support of fellow volunteers played a big part in that.

We built strong bonds very quickly with the older people and children we supported. A natural closeness formed, as if we had known each other for years. While helping older people with their daily routines, we also ran different activities with children. The improvements we made to playgrounds and the painting we did together were especially meaningful to me. Bringing the children’s drawings — the products of their imagination — onto the playgrounds, and doing it together, was both great fun and unforgettable.

What This Gave Me

I made many friends during this time, both among local people and among volunteers from other countries. The experience gave me feelings that are hard to describe. As someone who has valued helping others and doing good since childhood, taking physical part in this project showed me again how real and strong those values are.

Volunteering is not only about carrying out a task; it means building a genuine bond with people. While helping someone you realise you are changing too, maturing and learning more.

Cultural Exchange and Friendship

Through this project I really got to experience the cultural exchange I had only partly encountered before. Making friends with people from other countries and getting to know their languages, cultures and ways of life meant a great deal to me. It taught me to look at things not only from my own perspective but through the eyes of other societies.

I still have wonderful friendships from that time, and the fact that these bonds continue makes the experience even more meaningful. Some people can leave a lasting mark on you even if they are only in your life briefly. This project showed me exactly that.

Final Word

To anyone who wants this experience I would say: life really does start to change when it takes you outside the space you are used to. That is exactly what this journey was for me. So I wholeheartedly recommend it.

Thank You, KOZ-DER

My sincere thanks to the KOZ-DER Association for the chance to live this unique experience. Everything I gained during it is very valuable to me and will stay with me for life.