Apfelglück in Naturschutzzentrum

Apfelglück means that "Apple Luck". Naturschutzzentrum team was organized Apfelglück event on 27th August 2017. First i thought it will be like "Holy" or "Tomato fest". Then later while discussing with Veronika i came to know that its not like the same as "Holy or Tomato fest". 

Apfelglück this event is exclusively thematized with apples and it is opened for public. Already Naturschutzzentrum team announced about this event through newspaper. In the morning itself the preparation started for the afternoon fest. We arranged everything in a most decorative way to attract public. And we also made a selling shop for different types yummy Cakes most of them were apple cakes prepared by Naturschutzzentrum team members. 

We started our event by planting an apple tree in the Naturschutzzentrum campus with children and their parents. "Marco" ( Our Gardener) he already dug a big pit. From veronika i came to know that apple tree was given by the "Hessian Pomologue Society". I really thank them for their good heart. 

One group of Children already started to collect apples from the Naturschutzzentrum Campus. Two days before itself Veronika and Gernhard collected some more apples from the Odenwald too. 

On the other ground the children started to wash and cut the apples. Then everything went into the chopper and then into the special machine. A zealous hustle and bustle - and what a joy we had when the first juice flowed out of that special machines. I also drank one glass of fresh apple juice. Really it was very tasty. 

The campus also turned into so many other themed workshops. Nina and myself, We volunteers of the Naturschutzzentrum arranged some theme events for children with the help of other team members of Naturschutzzentrum. 

Nail Art

" Apple - on- board- Nailing", Apple tint, apple felt, an apple as a nail polish on the little fingers of children. After doing the nail art i can see the happiness of children because they had an apple on their finger tip too. This session was carried out by Harry's (Staff) daughter, a 13 year old girl. 

Indian Mehandi Art

I took this responsibilty on the special occasion. So many children attracted towards the Mehandi Design. I drawn variety of design on the small hands of children. Most interested thing which i experienced in this session that one small boy approached me with his parents and he asked very innocently i don't need girlish type of art on my hands but i really need some art which is meant for boys. For the first time with mehandi i did some unusual arts like martial art weapons. The boy was very happy after seeing the art. I also took a deep breath with full of happiness because he liked. 

Clay Modelling

In this platform "Biate and Nina" was engaged with children by makin some apple models with children. All children were loves to play with mud. The desk is filled with lot of creative apples. 

Really i had a great impression on this special event of apples that it was really fruitful one. Everything happened in a perfect order like Tree planting, Studying orchids as a habitat, Picking apples and then processing ( Making of Juices)  and finally creative corner opened for the children.  Really i came across through an enthusiastic process. 

Newspaper Article about this Event

Droom Droom Droom ....

The sound of the motor bikes were no less than some rock music. It felt like I was watching Road Rash game live on the roads.

Today I saw something that I love the most, MOTOR BIKES and to add on .. It was Vintage Motor Bike rally. Since the track was just in front of Behindertenhilfe, Lorsch (my place of Assignment) so it was even more fun.

I was selling Ice Coffee and cakes for all the people who came to watch the show. Every time bikes passed, the loud sound of the bikes brought a huge smile onto my face. Moreover, in my four months, today is the day when I hear so much noise around me.

While working today I experienced something that whatever I do, even if it is just selling an Ice coffee or a cake; my work was valued. The CEO of the organization came to me to introduce himself which is the sweetest gesture which any employee or volunteer would want to experience.

Hence, the learning for the day would be that the hierarchy system should come to an end whether its in the family, office or in the society. There should be dignity of labour. No matter what you do, your work is as much important as any other person's work. 

In the memory of "LISA"

A Tomb for "LISA"......!!! I know you all excited to know who is "LISA". I don't want to put a pressure on you all.....so here i am reveling that. "LISA" is a "BAT" !!!!,  of Naturscutzzentrum. They got her in the year of 2012, from the day itself all people in Naturschutzzentrum are loving LISA unconditionally.  I know now again its a big shock and excitement for you all that " A Tomb for LISA". I also wondered like you people when i saw Monument for a "BAT" !!

In a fresh morning of summer camp at Naturschutzzentrum, My eyes got awestruck view !! All the children are plucking some flowers from the garden and slowly moving towards a particular place of Naturschutzzentrum. I zoomed my eyes and take a close look on them. That view made my day. With lotzz and lotzz of love all the children with beautiful flowers bestowing their condolence to "LISA" (BAT) which passed away two weeks before.  For me its very excited and new thing. I never seen such a Tomb for a "BAT" ! At the same time i also feel very sad because after start working in Naturschutzzentrum i am the person who is taken care of "LISA".We had nearly for months relationship. Even it is a short period also we had a close bond. My  days in Naturschutzzentrum will start with her by feeding food to her and also end with saying a bye to her. Here i have to thank a person who loves nature abundantly and who pamper all these animals smoothly. Thank you Veronika for constructing this "Tomb" for LISA. With this tomb you are not only sharing your love towards the BAT, but also you are spreading a good message that " We should protect BAT", not only BAT but all the animals. Without them the human being also cannot survive in this earth.

Nowadays some species of BATS - the most important mammals are dying out. A diminishing bat population could actually have a negative impact on humans. Bat plays a surprising role in ecosystems. No one knows what a world without bats looks like!!! Here i would like to share some true facts about BATS which i came to know from Naturschutzzentrum team. 

When we talk about of Bats and Vampires, i know many people's awareness of Bats is limited to Halloween, Batman, Dracula, Bat Boy along with vague notions about echolocation, leathery wings, rabies and white nose Syndrome . For many People have a Vision of Bats that may conjure up creepy ideas of bloodsucking rodents ( they are not rodents) I hope this post will enlighten you."

Bats are probably associated with bad luck because of a Vampire legend. Human's blood sucking Vampire exists only in Books and movies and bat can't cause bad luck. That doesn't mean you want one in your house.Fortunately, the truth about bats is extremely powerful, The bats may be have strange faces, but their big Brown eyes, winsome expressions and gentle nature quickly coverted countless skeptics.

Actually there is only one bat that Feeds on blood, that is the Vampire bat. These type of bats are found in Central and South America. While much of the world sleeps, Vampire bats emerge from dark Caves, mines, tree hallows and abandoned Buildings in south and Central America. They glide stealthily through the night air as they search for Food. Like the legendary Monster from which they get their Name, These small mammals drink the blood of other animals for survival. They feed on blood from cows, pigs, horses and birds. Though uncommon, Vampire bats occasionally bite humans for blood.  Most of the bats that live in our area are insectivores, insect eaters, and make great pollinators as well. Bats are known to consume up to thousand mosquitoes in an hour. In fact, bats are so lucky for humans, that's why many People in Germany build bat houses to attract them to their Yard. Bats are known to pollinate bananas, peaches, mangoes and cashews as well as many other types of fruits. There are actually over 300 types of fruit that rely on bats to pollinate them.

Bats are very interesting Little mammals if we give them a Chance. 

Here i am saluting the good effort of "Naturschutzzentrum" because , its BAT friendly unit. The building itself constructed with lots of BAT Houses. And a big thanks to Veronika for giving one new Bat "Frida" to Naturschutzzentrum.  And now the whole Naturschutzzentrum team celebrating BAT week with children by providing them education about Bat. Ok now i am going to start a good days with my "FRIDA" !!

A Tomb for "LISA" Rest in Peace

"Our LISA"

Celebration of Fledermause (BAT) week


Bat Awareness session by"  Mr. Gernhard"


Our BATS.....!

No matter what happens, travel gives you a story to tell

                My summer vacation was when I went to Hamburg, Ulm, Memmingen, Wolfertschwenden, Austria, Switzerland, and Stuttgart. It was the most memorable experience in my life. What made it even more memorable was I went alone for the vacation. In my life this journey made me lonliness. Because my co-volunteers had to work on my vacations and I have to take leaves. That was my big challenge. But any how my journey was good.

                I had a great and awesome time with my German friends and their family who invited me to their places. They are really so good. I would like to say thanks for their kind hospitality from my bottom of my heart. 

                I spend my days with them. We shared each other more about culture, tradition etc.,.,Cooked Indian food and German – Black forest cake together. Tried German traditional wear.  They made my days with beautiful smile and lots of fun and jokes. I can recall every time in my life when I experienced so much joy. It was the most amazing days of my life. The wonderful experience included beautiful Harbor, Castles, Lake and Towers.

 Hamburg city

 Plansee Lake - Austria

 King Ludwig II Garden

German Traditional wear

Rheinfall  and lucerne

Benz Museum 

To conclude, this vacation was the best I have ever had, this was the last vacation of my life in Germany. I will always cherish every little moment of it.

Posted By 

Evelin 

Questions I come across daily as an Indian volunteer in Germany !!

After my three months stay in Germany, many people around Germany and children from Naturschutzzentrum (My work place) bombarding me with a million questions up close breathing in my face. Some times its very hard and sometimes it is very interesting to talk about that....Here i wish to share Few questions which i heard many times from the German people and my views on that particular queries.

1. Is that India is similar like "Slumdog Millionaire"? Did they screened that Movie in India? Is everybody is poor?

"Slumdog Millionaire" was a British drama film loosely based on a Novel focusing the slums of Mumbai. Its necessary to keep this in mind before assuming that the whole country lives like that! In this movie the director showcasing his vision and a story which moved him. We cannot deny the fact that India is a developing country and even today people are living in slums due to its immense population but on the other hand India is a developing country where people have reached the moon too. India has a population of more than 1.2 billion people and the standard of living varies between urban and rural areas and also between regions. It is unfortunately that millions of people are below the poverty line, but slums are not the only types of accommodations we have out there. The country has the 6th largest economy in the world and has a high purchasing power index. Also people love watching movies. So, yes the movie was screened in India and no, everybody is not poor.

2. Oo ...You people have many festivals...!!! why? Do you celebrate Christmas in India?

Absolutely you are correct we have en number of festivals in India which is purely based on believes of Indian people. India is a secular country and we love observing all festivals and traditions. And all our festivals have some meaning and story behind it. In fact i am coming from Kerala, a Hindu family. still also we too celebrate Christmas too. I grown up by hearing and singing Christmas carols at schools and home every year. Not only Christmas but also all festivals belongs to different religion. I always admire my India for this Unity in Diversity.

3. Have you met Sharukh khan?  How many movies come out every year? Why do you have so many songs? Why are they so funny?

No, i have not met Shahrukh Khan. Just like any celebrity he too cannot be met easily. Bollywood being one of the largest movie industry in the world have many actors and actresses. We as Indians love watching movies and its a ritual that every Friday a new film is released. Each state also have their own movie industry in their regional languages which again increases the number of movie.s released.

Exactly i don't know about the numbers movies which is released in this year. There are plentiful movies released in different languages. But i am sure that it will be like a stars i can't count it. Yes that's a lot of movies, a lot of investments, a lot of talent and nevertheless some elements of nonsense.

Why are there so many songs? i cannot tell you the exact reason, but i feel Music and Dance has been a part of the culture for a long time and good music can have a huge impact on the audience.  some  songs  these days are made just so they are catchy, resulting in the commercial success of film. I don't know why it is funny...???

4. Do you have a lot of arranged marriage in India? How the people marry a strange person? Would you do that?

Getting married or finding the right partner is obviously a personal choice, and like many other things in life, "Whatever floats your boat". Please keep in mind that in many cases, "Arranged" refers to not marry a strange person, it means that arranged date or a set up or a virtual introduction, and they are not forced at gunpoint to get married! YES sometimes this happens quite a lot. I will say it's  really depends up on the person's mind. In my perspective people have the freedom to choose their partner even if it is arranged and to make their own decision without any pressure whatsoever and they are happy. So without doubt i can say that definitely i will choose my own partner.

5. India is very dirty country...is it so? .I don't want to visit anymore

We four volunteers met one strange Old Man, He gave an Open statement that "India is very dirty country...is it so? .I don't want to visit anymore". Well it is an honest outsider view and touristy one at that. 

I know why he said like that because every magazines, books, traveler's blogs and movies are only focusing to show the Unclean India and Poor children pictures. Whenever i am seeing a magazine here in Germany only i can see Picture of Slum, poverty and Polluted areas. I don't know why....!! There are millions of million things except these. But no one wants to see the positive part of India.   

Oh ...my friend!! That's your perception and wish to visit India or not !! you can do whatever you want. I will say that by seeing one part of the country or some kind of movies don't give such a open and worst statement because India is a very large and known for its diversity. India is the second largest populated country in the world and it is a developing country. But we Indians are doing our best to "clean our dirty parts of the country". But one request to all people, don't generalize things by seeing one part.  From the last few years the Indian Government is trying hard to introduce ways to be more Eco-friendly. I am sure that after some more years our country became Clean one in Every perspective. 

Don't Just take your Garbage out but Sort it too!!

Like kindergarten kids who do color sorting, stacking and matching activities, i always sort, group and match  everyday garbage with their colored destination bins. The yellow, blue, black and brown dustbins that stand outside every home is a testimony to the sorting that is stipulated. This bins are not only placed outside the home but also inside the home too. Blue for paper waste, yellow for non-paper products, black for residual waste and brown for food waste or put everything else in the black bin which you know, is like nothing. It doesn't stop with these four color waste bins, it goes much further. I also got to put my food scraps, plants bits, and other bio wastes in the compost bin this also nicely placed in every homes and working organisations. 

This list doesn't end it goes again like this- the  Plastic bottles with recycle symbol go back to the supermarket, glass bottles and containers are again color sorted in a bin that are placed in the neighborhood. While we are returning these plastic bottles, glass bottles and yogurt jars the supermarket will return back our money. The old shoes and clothes tackle separately. The truck that collects all these wastes from every home and every work places. 

This is a new thing for me..., i also used to separate wastes in my home in India but that is not exactly like German System. While comparing to Indian family,   All German family are strictly following this proper waste management system here. .!! In India also we have the same systems which is implemented by the Indian Government but unfortunately most of the Indian citizen not following that. Everything was just thrown away and it seems like most people didn't know where their garbage was gone to and how .., unfortunately, it is not only a country's problem but also a Global Problem.

I also had many tense moments here in Germany while sorting it because we Indians not used to it. Sometimes by mistake i mixed the wastes in home. All the time my host mother and host father will patiently tries to correct me. Thanks to them to teach me a perfect system of waste management.

It all sounds pretty good and easy right?

I feel that if we all followed these kind of Waste Management in India definitely together we can make a great difference in India- A Clean India!!! I think that we Indians also can organize our kitchen with a recycle center to accommodate every waste.    

It all sounds pretty good and easy right?

I feel that if we all followed these kind of Waste Management in India definitely together we can make a great difference in India- A Clean India!!! I think that we Indians also can organize our kitchen with a recycle center to accommodate every waste.    

Its too clean to be true

Here in Germany every people try to do a lot of environmental friendly things to keep their country so clean. Germany unusually clean to most Indians. Everyone takes responsibility of public space cleanness. When i traveled around Germany, i was just amazed by the immaculate railway stations, spotless trains and clean toilets,litter free roads and well kept public spaces. Everywhere i can see a well maintained dust bins often i have a doubt is that dust bin because the dust bins itself so beautiful to see. All rivers and lakes are also clean here. i never seen the people who are throwing wastes to the water sources. 

Unlike India people pay and use washrooms than pee in the public. All this has to be change in India.  I am sure that i will definitely carry this system to my India.  However if we are used to do this system , its pretty easy please just try to do its not only for saving you but also for saving our EARTH.....!!!

The Colored Dust bins which is placed in the houses of Germany

The clean roads of Germany - A click from Heidelberg

A click from Scheffelstrasse, Bensheim City 

A Vacation to Remember

Unlike my co- volunteer, my first day of work began with a vacation. When I reached my workplace with all my bags packed to begin a journey with a group I have never met, I was completely nervous just by thinking how to begin. My clients are intellectually disabled (you can say that a group with whom I have never worked). My only strength was the passion to work for them which made my fear turn into my confidence. Slowly when I started communicating with my clients, I realised that if you want to do something then language is never a barrier. I was cherished when my clients started talking to me in English. This small effort made by them boosted my level of confidence to work with them and enjoy with them to the core. The journey to Westernohe (our vacation destination) has helped me be with the clients 24*7 which ultimately helped me understand them better and create a bond with them which would have taken quite a time if I wouldn't have gone with them.

From having breakfast which also included feeding them, taking them around, enjoying with them since it was their vacation, playing, visiting the zoo, singing, making them go to bed etc.
There were times when the food for the staffs got over after feeding the clients. The best thing was that their needs were kept into consideration first and later on only ours; hence the level of importance given to the clients was really appreciable. We survived by ordering some food from outside.

In all this journey was one to be remembered and cherished.

Pleasant travel in ship

My first ride in the Ship was an amazing trip. I didn't expect this wonderful experience in my life. The name of the ship was königin silvia which means Queen of Sweden.

Smile, laugh and look happy. As a matter of fact, I was pretty anxious. I have never been in a ship like this. And the travel time was one hour. I forget all my worries through this travel. It was a pleasant and peaceful travel. This travel gave me a lot of great memories I can always look back on. I got a comfort zone, this pleasant travel made my mind open more ideas, some positive energy and possibilities. Reduces all my stress and worries. Traveling on water is so awesome experience and it is good for a person of any age. I felt like heaven and I was so relaxed. Finally I have been in all mode of transport (Road, Rail, Air, and Water)

No matter where you are, you always miss your homely meals..

Yeah.. That is true.. No matter where you are, you always miss the food from where you have been. If someone asks like what you miss the most ?, then definetely my reply will be the FOOD...!!
I never used spoons,forks,knifes for eating. And here in another country, I have to do it. Or else I have to take the food to my zimmer(room) just for eating with my hands..!!
The spicy chicken curry, beef roast, fish fry tapioca,rice and these side dishes in these pictures made my mouth water. Though there are many Indisches restaurants, we wont feel the real taste of India here in any of these. Indian food is categorically delicious: its flavors are complex, oscillating between sweet, savory, and spicy. It's a divine synthesis that is aromatic and sophisticated without being bougie. I shall come soon with the German dishes.😜😜😜😜  Stay connected.