Intergenerational and intercultural learning

A story by Kamila Pawelska

Country of Origin: Poland

Country of destination: Germany

(Semper Avanti)

A few years ago I worked as a volunteer at ”a summer circus project” in Germany. The project was implemented by the Polish-German foundation and had to care for children during their holliday in the countryside. At the end, the children and adults were asked to issue a circus performance for the local community. All together they learned to juggle, making decorations, riding a unicycle, perform gymnastic figures and clown makeup. The whole project was fun for everyone. Helped adults discover that they can have the true joy of fun, like when they were kids. Children feel important, along with the adults and their views and opinions taken into account.

This project has taught me a lot about cooperation and building relationships in the group, regardless of generational and cultural barriers, as well as the fact that it is not only adults that teach children. Often the roles may be reversed.