I am Thaer Alkassab, a 28-year-old Syrian currently living in Gyor, Hungary, where I’m pursuing my master's degree. My volunteering journey has always been a significant part of my life. Back in Syria, I used to manage and facilitate workshops for children and young adults, focusing on entertainment and learning. Since moving to Hungary, I sought new volunteering opportunities to continue my passion for giving back and learning. This led me to France, where I participated in a two-month short-term volunteering project with the organization Le Rev, part of Solidarités Jeunesses, nestled in the mountains near Toulouse.

I arrived in early July at the volunteers’ house, where I joined five other long-term volunteers from different countries (Italy, France, Turkey, Japan). Our main project revolved around collective living and animating workcamps. My first task was to assist with a workcamp that arrived the following week. It was a learning experience that reminded me of the work I did back home but on a larger scale, with participants living in tents.

By my second camp, I took on the responsibility of co-leading the project “Rebuild the Colony” with a Japanese volunteer. Our group of volunteers came from all over Europe, with members from France, Spain, Ukraine, Georgia, Poland, and Finland. We worked together on rebuilding tasks while living collectively, cooking, cleaning, and organizing activities. One memorable event was a three-hour hike to Mont Lozère with French scouts, followed by games and cultural exchanges. 

Hosting organisation:

The Occitanie Est delegation of Solidarités Jeunesses, known as REV (Réseau d’Entraide Volontaire), has been rooted in the Gard since 1974. It became an official delegation of the movement in 1979 and migrated to Lozère in 2021, establishing its headquarters in Pont-de-Montvert, nestled at the foot of Mont-Lozère. The site, a former holiday camp from the 1960s, is gradually being restored by volunteers, both inside and out, transforming the exteriors into spaces for creation and community.

https://www.solidaritesjeunesses.org/