Day-5, Baking Pizza

Today marks the fifth and probably the hardest day of the exchange so far. The long, tiring trip to Rotterdam and Scheveningen the day before surely took a lot from the participants, leaving them with small, sleep filled eyes and the desire to just take a nap instead of being productive all day. Still there was a whole day planned, but luckily just a little bit more peaceful than the past few days. Maybe there would still be some hope for the participants to get through the day without any problems.

After breakfast and another round of handing out all presents and letters from the Secret Friends box, the day started outside with some energizing games. Some initiated by enthusiastic participants, which seemingly brought up some team spirit among the participants as the games involved untangling from each other and passing around (two) rope(s) without letting go of each other's hands.

Soon it was time for the first workshop to be given as well. Many of the participants were reminded of the Albatros workshop of last Wednesday as they were guided into an office themed common room. The lights down low as they were slightly forced into their seats by a strict looking soldier. After everyone was seated he handed out forms written in an unknown language. Some of the participants weren't even able to put something onto paper, as the forms were quickly taken from then again to 'inspect' their answers upon the given questions. In the end, some of the participants were either shooed away into a corner of happily embraced and led to the other side of the room. These happenings were supposed to resemble the process refugees may experience as they flight to another foreign country and to give the participants a taste of the situation. Afterwards a short explanation upon the upcoming painting assignment was given.

After that a coffee break followed, which was wisely used to play games and even to start a small drum band among some of the participants (no teaspoons were harmed in the process). Quickly it was time again for the workshop that confused and disappointed a lot of people: Baking pizza (which eventually didn't involve baking an actual pizza, sadly). It turned out to be a small game in which the participants had to form a circle and make a pizza using different gestures and movements to make one which was played shortly before going on to the announced film.  

The film was made and translated in six hours' time by one of our participants and camera woman Madara. It was a documentary about the situations her family found their selves in during the Second World War in Latvia. The 30 minutes long film brought a very different view on the war than the Dutch participants mainly had learned about in school and so provided us with a story they wouldn't have easily heard somewhere else.

Lunchbreak came around again and after some soup and bread the moment had come: finally, there was an opportunity to rest! The extra time was wisely spent by many participants (for example: many tree stuck volleyballs found their way back to the ground again by the help of some quality stones) and before they know it was 3 pm again: time for some painting! The participators were earlier told the assignment would be about visualizing the migration problems through the reports that were given to them to read by making a painting, drawing or art in any other way. Many different ideas ended up on the big sheets of paper after two times of being granted extra time and a lot of both frustration and fun. They will be shown at the church service at the seventh of August.

After all creative juices had flown, the last workshop of the day had arrived: The World Café. This workshop involved debating about several statements regarding migration and was given thanks to the help of a few volunteers.

The day ended with an American barbeque with some of the Dutch participant's parents joining in with some self-made salads and extra baguettes (also some fresh laundry, but those weren't used for the barbeque). We all had a great evening together. Even after a slow start.

Blog by: Natasja and Timon
Pictures by: Cilia Baanstra