Want to learn about the benefits of our courses? Click here: https://smokinya.com/testimonials/
Hello! Welcome to the Wild Vibes recap. Since February 2025, we hosted 7 young people for 3 months and more in Mrachenik, rural village in the Sredna Gora region. All working together to renovate an old school into a volunteering and training center while connecting with rural life and locals.
We currently have two volunteer staying for 6-12 months and nine others staying for 3 months this summer!
If you wanna join, all the details are HERE
You can already apply HERE
We will cover weekly progress through the so-called “Weekly Recaps”. Here we will give a brief overview of what is happening in this little village called Mrachenik and report on our experiences.
Hi everyone, last week Sam and me (gas) went to Sofia for the National Agency’s on-arrival training. The goal of this training was to educate us about our rights and responsibilities as volunteers, but it was also a wonderful opportunity to meet other volunteers from all over Bulgaria and compare the projects and different activities of each organization.
The first day of training basically consisted of getting to know our group because we were divided into three groups: two for on-arrival and one for mid-term training. So we played some icebreaker games to get acquainted, and then it was already the end of the day. We were all very tired, but we decided to go for a walk in Sofia to see a little bit of the city at night and experience its atmosphere. I think it was one of the strangest moments for me because the city, even at night around 10 pm, is very lively. We sat down in a park, and there were people… Walking their dogs, playing football—it’s very different from Mrachenik, where if you see more than four people in one night, it means the bar is open.
The second day was dedicated to sharing projects. We gave a short presentation about Smokinya and realized the incredible variety of projects. Some people were there to do art, others activities with children, and we had two other projects: gardening.
It was also on this day that we realized everyone was talking to their mentor, while I personally never sent a message to contact mine.
The third day was dedicated to visiting Sofia with people who live there and doing tasks around the city. It wasn’t my favorite part because I was with people who mainly spoke their own language and didn’t talk much with us.
It was also the last day of the mid-term training, so we celebrated with the friends we had made.
The Thursday was a bit tough because we got home at 5 am, but we’re not giving up. We represent Smokinya, so we got up and talked about our personal projects to the whole group. It was pretty cool to see the other projects, but they were more event-based projects than long-term projects like mine or Sam’s. For example, someone made lemonade with children to refresh elderly people in the park, so it’s really different.
And it was on yet another outing in the city that our trip to Sofia came to an end. We went back by train and hitchhiking with a really strange feeling. We made a lot of friends, or at least a lot of acquaintances, during this week. It’s really sad to leave all these people and go back to Mrachenik, and at the same time, I prefer the calm of Mrachenik to the hustle and bustle of Sofia.
its all for me and sam see you next week
Amina & Kyriaki Weekly Recap
22/6 – Roof Adventures!
This week started high… literally! We spent the day on the roof space of the school, working on removing old roof tiles.
At first, it looked like there was only one way to do it… until someone came up with a creative solution! (Want to see it? Check out this week’s videos on our social media! 🦿)
By the end of the day, our amazing team had carefully brought down more than 800 roof tiles. Every single tile was sorted into three different categories, ready for its next purpose.
But the day wasn’t over yet! We still had to carry all the tiles outside and stack them near the barn. These old tiles will be reused to renovate the barn’s roof, giving them a second life.
Just as we were finishing, the weather surprised us with a shower of summer rain. Luckily, nobody wanted to stop. There was something truly special about working together under the drizzle, and somehow, it made the whole day even more memorable.
23/6 – Getting Ready for “Into the Wild”
The next few days are going to be busy because the “Into the Wild” Training Course is about to begin at the Bright Future Training Centre!
To prepare for our guests, we pitched three camping tents generously donated by Decathlon—a gift we are still incredibly grateful for and continue to use in our Erasmus+ and ESC projects. We also expanded the outdoor area by setting up more tables, chairs, and shade canopies so everyone can enjoy the space comfortably, even under the summer sun.
In the afternoon, we enjoyed a beautiful break in nature. A lovely local lady, Antoinette, and her daughter guided us through the surrounding area, teaching us about local plants and herbs. Along the way, we picked wild herbs and tasted fresh fruit straight from the trees. Nature really knows how to spoil us!
24/6 – Cleaning, Measuring & A New Arrival
With many participants arriving soon, we needed even more tents, and, of course, the whole centre needed a deep clean. We spent the entire morning getting everything ready for the busy days ahead. (And if you’ve ever wondered how to clean a carpet the right way… don’t miss this week’s videos on our social media! )
Later, we measured the windows and doors of the barn because they will soon be replaced with brand-new ones. We also managed to cut several wooden pieces that will become part of the new frames.
Just before midnight, another volunteer finally arrived to join our project. The family keeps growing!
25/6 – Building Together
Today was all about teamwork.
We started the morning preparing the wood for the new barn windows and doors. Measuring, cutting, sanding… step by step, everything slowly started taking shape.
After lunch, we split into three teams:
Team 1: Worked on creating content for our social media.
Team 2: Designed beautiful artwork for the new windows and doors.
Team 3: Installed the new wooden frames in the barn.
By the evening, the participants of the Into the Wild Training Course had arrived. We all shared dinner together, meeting new faces and kicking off what promises to be an unforgettable experience.
26/6 – Holiday… Sort Of!
Today marked the beginning of our four-day break… well, almost!
Our fantastic chef Stefan and the wonderful Mrs. Zvetla still needed an extra pair of hands in the kitchen, so we happily helped prepare the meals. Let’s just say… there was a lot of vegetable chopping today!
Meanwhile, the participants of the Into the Wild Training Course invited us to join them on their incredible 46 km, two-day hiking and camping adventure.
Will we survive? Will our legs forgive us?
We’ll let you know next week… if we manage to make it back from the hike!
see you next week
Want to learn about the benefits of our courses? Click here: https://smokinya.com/testimonials/
Should you have a question, contact us: info@smokinya.com.
This program is co-funded by the Erasmus+ / European Solidarity Corps program of the European Union.
Финансирано от Европейския съюз. Изразените възгледи и мнения обаче принадлежат изцяло на техния(ите) автор(и) и не отразяват непременно възгледите и мненията на Европейския съюз или на Европейската изпълнителна агенция за образование и култура (EACEA). За тях не носи отговорност нито Европейският съюз, нито EACEA.
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.
