Hi, my name is Lillian-Beth, I’m thirty years old and I come from the United Kingdom. I came to Shipka in August and plan to leave in January next year.
I chose to volunteer because I love traveling but need to have a purpose when I travel, whether it be volunteering, working, or following a specific itinerary. Since 2016 I have lived and worked in Ghana, The United States, Canada, China and Cambodia, my favourite places being Ghana and China. I hope to visit again soon!
Due to Covid I have been unable to travel (like most of the world) and have really missed experiencing new places. One of the first things I did when borders reopened was to search for volunteering opportunities.
I came across the European Solidarity Corps and Open Mind, applied, had an interview. Unfortunately, due to Brexit, only a small section of ESC organisations are open to volunteers from the United Kingdom. I have had to self-fund my time here paying for all travel and food with only accommodation included. That hasn’t stopped me from having fun though!
My best memories so far have all involved nature, whether it be watching the sunrise at Irakli beach or hiking Botev Peak, the Bulgarian wilderness is some of the best I have had the pleasure to visit! I have also loved meeting new people and living with them, we have become one big family. I hope to visit them in their home countries.
So far in this project, I have learned some theoretical and practical aspects of permaculture, how to cook for more than five people and how to communicate effectively without the use of a shared language. My Bulgarian is definitely not conversational!
After the project I plan to go back home and save so I can travel again, maybe spending six months in China teaching climbing to children. After that, who knows? Maybe I will return to Bulgaria to hike the Balkan Mountains and of course, say hello to Shipka again.
Picture 1- Myself
Picture 2- Camping on The Great Wall of China
Picture 3- Teaching in Cambodia
Picture 4- Sunrise at Irakli Beach
Picture 5- Sunset at The Buzludzha Monument