From cheap workforce to highly creativite activities

Who is that weird stranger? He is not a student. He is not a employee but he is not unemployed person at the same time. So, what is he? EVS Volunteer? Yeah, volunteering is suspicious activity a little bit. Therefore, it si not surprise that sentence „Ok, you are volunteer. So, what are you doing there?“ is one of the most frequent questions.

Pekarna Magdalenske Mreže is quite a big organization. More tahn sixy local young people do some less or more frequent volunteering here. Some of them organize activities for children with special needs once a week (Pekarna DOBIŠ DAŠ). Other organize alternative tourist guide tours across Maribor (Stopinje mesta). And next group publish critically focus magazine (Pizda), etc.
But what does mean to be EVS volunteer? What does mean to be „full­time volunteer“?
What is supposed to be my activity? „Everything“ is probably the most proper question.
Is needed help with preparing food for some lecture (maybe interesting one, I don't know. I don't understand slovene langueage so well yet)? Or is needed help with preparing room? For every of these activities would be my help very appreciated. Does it mean that EVS volunteer is only some „cheap workforce“ here? Oh, no, it is total opposite. Or better to say – it could be total opposite. „Deadline of next issue of our magazine is coming. Do you want make some illustration?“ „Big event about volunteering is next month. Would like to make some presentation?“ „Do you have any idea for making your own workshop“ Just say „Yes, I have idea“ and fun can start!

Therefore, being EVS volunteer in Pekarna magdalenske Mreže is mainly about creativity. It is common folklore that every NGO complains about lack of money all the time. Of course, it's same in Pekarna Magdalenske Mreže. In spite of this fact this place is really great for new and interesting ideas (and yeah, lack of money is maybe the best stimulant for creativity).

Photographing without camera? No problem. Workshop about photographing with shoe boxes? No problem. Publish controversial illustration of Obama and Merkel as love couple. No problem ...

Marek