From April 23 to 25, the XI International Festival of Volunteer Teams "Our Choice is a Healthy Lifestyle!" was held in Pinsk. This large-scale event brought together volunteers from Belarus and Russia. Representatives of the Belarusian National Technical University also took part in the event: Elena Grinevich, Deputy Dean for Ideological and Educational Work at the Faculty of Automotive Engineering, and Anton Beshta, Mikhail Krukovsky, and Nikita Chumakov, students at the Faculty of Automotive Engineering.
From the very beginning, the forum was characterized by a friendly atmosphere. The students from the Belarusian National Technical University met with participants from Pskov, Moscow, and Penza. Together, they participated in training sessions on team building and collaboration, and then began developing mini-projects as part of the educational platforms of the national anti-drug project "PROhealth".
Our students also prepared an educational block. They organized a dialogue platform with a tasting of "Cheese is a product of long-lived people. Tea is a drink of longevity." The guests and participants of the forum appreciated both the useful information and the treats.
One of the most exciting events was the second sports day. The morning began with a general exercise session at the stadium, followed by individual classes. The program included a master class on "Small Steps Towards a Big Dream," karate classes, and Nordic walking.
— After sports, we started the intellectual part: dialogue platforms, online connections, a concert program and an award ceremony. In the evening, there was a tour of Pinsk, and it all ended with a disco," Mikhail Krukovsky said.
The third day of the festival became the most important and touching. The volunteers planted the alley "Our choice is a healthy lifestyle," and then went to the Pinsk Rehabilitation Center for Disabled children.
— We helped to restore order: we cleaned the forest, collected garbage, leveled the area for planting grass. It wasn't loud, without cameras, but it was very real," Mikhail shares.
Despite the busy schedule and variety of events, the guys return home with a lot of emotions.
— At the forum, we learned a lot about how to help children and adults with disabilities. A completely different view of volunteering and life in general is being formed. It is necessary for the soul. Selfless help is appreciated in its own way. I definitely would like to come back here — it's unforgettable," Mikhail Krukovsky added.
We wish the students to turn their experiences, emotions, and new acquaintances into meaningful volunteer activities.
