Hello! I am Albert, from Spain, a 21 years old and I come from a mechanical background. I studied for a 3 years and worked for 2, but I realized it wasn’t for me; I simply don’t like it. Since I wasn’t having a good time, I decided to look for a new opportunities outside my country, something I’d always wanted to do. That’s when Jitka contacted me for a one-year volunteer position at a kindergarten in the Czech Republic. I’d always loved children and I saw this as a great opportunity. Now, after a month here, I can confidently say I made the right decision. I love the nature and spending time with children in the forest, walking, exploring and doing activities, is incredible. Starting the day with their hugs and smiles makes every day special. The experience at Kalužníček has been very enriching, both for the children and the team. In addition, I am learning a loth, both professionally and personally. I’m improving and learning languages (English and a little Czech) and developing skills like patience and adaptability. I’ve also been very impressed by seeing how children grow in direct contact with nature. I wasn’t raised in an environment like this and I find it a wonderful form of education, where they learn freely and spontaneously. I’ve always lived in the city, but now, after some time in Tišnov, I’m really enjoying the tranquility and closeness of the community. This life change is exceeding my expectations, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to be part of this unique experience.🙃

I’m Fady, a 21-year-old veterinary medicine student from Egypt. Since I was a child, I have been actively involved in scouting, where I learned how to depend on myself, respect nature, and work as part of a team. Over the years, I grew within the SGWEN Scout group — a well-established Christian scouting organization founded in 1933 — and eventually became a leader for the youngest group, the “buds” (ages 3–6). For the past three years, I’ve gained valuable experience teaching children a variety of topics including art, camping, religion, languages, and Montessori-style activities. I’m passionate about DIY projects , handcrafts, cooking, camping,and connecting with the natural world. Now, I feel ready to explore a new country, take a short break from my studies, and learn more about the forest kindergarten approach at LRKT Kalužníček. I would love to spend six months in Tišnov, discovering your beautiful landscapes alongside the children — from forests and meadows to the river stream. I’m especially excited to join the morning circles, go on Wednesday field trips, and share crafts, painting, cooking and nature-based activities with the kids, such as recycling ideas and working with materials we find outdoors. I would be very happy to contribute to your community and learn from your unique approach to early childhood education. Looking forward to meeting all of you at Kalužníček!