Hello, my name is Emily, and I’m from Spain. I volunteered in a kindergarten in Narva, Estonia, with the European Solidarity Corps. I chose this project because I enjoy working with children, and I thought it would be very interesting to live in a new country by myself and experience a completely different culture. During this experience, I learned a lot about how important it is to make children feel safe, cared for, and happy. Even small things like smiling, encouraging them or listening can mean so much, and children notice and remember them more than you might think. What I loved the most was when the kids tried to say any English words they knew or remembered. They really tried to communicate with me, even if they only remembered a few words or said them in their own way. It made me so happy because it showed me how much effort they were putting into talking and sharing with me. At first, I thought my work would mostly be teaching English, but it turned out to be much more. I helped the children with their everyday tasks and joined in their games and playtime. I was also surprised by how easy it was to connect with the children, even without speaking the same language. Smiles, games, and kindness were enough to build a strong bond. I would recommend the European Solidarity Corps to anyone who loves children and wants to have a meaningful experience. Volunteering here was not only a chance to see firsthand how children grow and develop, but also an opportunity to make a difference in their lives while learning a lot about yourself to and the impact you can have in their early development.