From the Heart to Tetovo: Volunteering as a Teacher in Macedonia

Hello, I am Bekir Taha. For two months, I was in the city of Tetovo in North Macedonia as part of the ESC51 (European Solidarity Corps) Volunteering Project carried out by Bülbülzade Foundation and BEKAM. Tetovo, which feels almost like a city in Turkey, made me feel at home, and I had the opportunity to meet many warm and friendly new people. Throughout these two months, I did my best to contribute in cooperation with the Alaca Association to serve the Turkish, Albanian, and Macedonian communities living in Tetovo.

In the summer school we organized for children, we aimed to improve their empathy skills and adaptation to social and moral values through various games and activities. During the summer school, I assisted them in getting to know the guitar, learning about chords and arpeggios in music classes. We also formed a choir and practiced together.

Volunteering at Alaca Association was a joyful experience. I met many wonderful people here. I would like to sincerely thank the Alaca Association family and the Bülbülzade Foundation family, who made it possible for me to come here.

The association’s vision and mission focus on conducting sustainable and long-lasting projects aimed at children, youth, and women.