ESC'ers Livia and Tamar

Tamar (23) uit Georgië

Some people may think that my name is Georgia because that’s the only thing I'm talking about, but no, Georgia is my beautiful, jaw-dropping, amazing, cute, little and struggling country. And my name is Tamar (for the loved ones, Tata).

I was named after the first female king of Georgia, Tamar, who ruled the country with strength and wisdom at a young age. She expanded Georgia’s power across the region and ushered in a golden era. And then there's me — carrying her name, following her legacy — living in Belgium, working as a volunteer, and nurturing my one and only basil plant.

But, come on, life isn’t all bad. A few weeks ago, I was standing in front of the Georgian Parliament, protesting for basic human rights. And today, here I am, in Belgium, trying to figure out how to pronounce ‘Vlaamse frieten’ without sounding like a confused tourist. It’s weird, right? From fighting for the rights of my people to fighting for the best fries in town. But hey, that’s life. Though the circumstances are different, the drive to make a difference remains the same. Whether it’s through art, communication, or simply by connecting with people. I truly believe that Art is a language we all speak, no matter where we come from (I’m saying this, so I don’t have to speak Dutch anymore, hehe).

The most popular question that I get is – ‘’Why? Why would you do that to yourself and move to Belgium?" I guess, when I first saw Destelheide, I thought, "That's it! That's the perfect balance of my interests and passion for art, creation, and communication." It’s not just a place, but a statement — a living, breathing reminder of the creative spirit of humanity. But, of course, that's a long answer, so I usually just say, "I moved here because I love chocolate.’’

All the jokes aside, I’m into a lot of things that keep me busy and inspired. I love reading, filming, and photography — there’s something about telling stories through images and video that really clicks with me. Making music is  another way I like to relax, and when I’m not doing that, you’ll probably find me hiking or trying out new recipes in the kitchen. I’m all about mixing creativity with a little adventure.

And while I might not be ruling a kingdom (yet), I’m finding my own version of success. Maybe it’s not in grand gestures or historical achievements, but in the little victories. Like managing to keep a plant alive for more than a week.

Lívia (27) uit Slowakije

Hello! My name is Lívia, I am 27 years old, and I come from Slovakia. My journey so far has been shaped by my passion for education, youth work, and arts. 

I have a degree in teaching, but my career has been focused more broadly on youth work. It has allowed me to connect with young people during non-formal education. In my previous role as a youth worker in the youth center, I was actively involved in organizing and facilitating both local and international projects, with a strong emphasis on community building and soft skills development. 

Art has always been an important part of my life. From a young age, I was inclined towards art in different forms such as dancing, singing, and visual arts. These experiences not only fueled my passion for creativity but also deepened my understanding of how art can empower and uplift people. One of my favorite projects I facilitated was called Show Your Colors, which focused on strengthening mental health through artistic expression. We used different methods and cooperated with artists and specialists for mental health. Seeing participants process their emotions through creativity was incredibly rewarding and reinforced my belief in the power of art in youth work.

All my interests are connected in Destelheide and that’s why I decided to apply for volunteering at Destelheide and Hanenbos. I am truly excited about this opportunity to learn about how youth work operates in Belgium, especially within such a vibrant and artistic environment. I look forward to collaborating with others, learning new skills, developing new educational activities and gaining new insights that I can carry with me into my future professional path. 

Outside of my professional interests, I am a curious and open-minded person who loves learning about different cultures and perspectives. I also enjoy nature walks, good conversations over coffee, desserts and books.