“When pondering the heart of our project “Can Anyone Hear My Voice?” a singular word emerges: “harmony”. It embodies the delicate symphony that exists between the individual, the community, and the whispers of the natural world around us. This project was a gentle reminder of our shared duty to cultivate a sustainable present and nurture a flourishing future. As reflect on this transformative experience, I reminded of the profound truth: “The best time to plant a tree was yesterday. The second best time is now”.
With this wisdom guiding our hands and hearts, we embraced the act of reforestation, planting seeds of hope amidst the breathtaking landscapes of Elazığ, each tree a promise for tomorrow. Our journey deepened as we visited AFAD, the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority of Türkiye. Within the community, we engaged in meaningful workshops, weaving a solidarity that underscored the importance of blood donation, calling forth the spirit of community to come together and breathe life into one another’s existence.” – Dženeta Fazlić
“Initially, I was hesitant about joining the project “Can Anyone Hear My Voice,” thinking it might be a mistake. However, this experience turned out to be a transformative journey, creating lifelong memories that I will cherish forever. Meeting individuals from Croatia, Italy, Ukraine, and Turkey opened my eyes to diverse cultures and perspectives. I had never visited Turkey before, and this trip painted a beautiful picture of its vibrant culture and welcoming people. The perfect mix of fun, learning, and travel made this experience truly unforgettable.
While I look forward to participating in similar initiatives, nothing could quite compare to this one. The friendships and insights I gained will remain with me for a lifetime. This journey has been one of the most fulfilling experiences of my life, and I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to have been part of it. This journey has been one of the most fulfilling experiences of my life, and I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to have been part of it. Goodbye, до побачення, arrivederci, hoşça kal! Until the next project!” – Farah Šehović
“Participating in the “Can Anyone Hear My Voice” project opened windows to the world of diverse cultures—Ukraine, Italy, Croatia, and, most profoundly, Turkey. Through encounters with people from these countries, I immersed myself in their unique traditions and worldviews, discovering the richness of our shared humanity and resilience. This experience deepened my understanding of the world, revealing the beauty in diversity and the importance of solidarity in times when it is needed most.
Through the project, we prepared ourselves to stay calm and helpful in moments when nature tests human endurance. Step by step, we learned safety techniques that reminded us how much strength and stability can lie in steady hands and a clear mind. Now, I feel that I could be a beacon for others if we were to find ourselves in a stormy night. But the project didn’t stop there. It gave us the chance to learn how to be pillars for our community through selfless acts—like blood donation, a gesture that can save lives. We learned the power of a single moment of bravery and a simple act of kindness. By participating in tree-planting activities, we felt a deep connection with nature, understanding that each planted root builds a brighter future.
Looking back on it all, I realize this is one of the most precious experiences of my life. I carry with me skills and friendships that will last, and a sense of responsibility to contribute to a better world” – Ivana Letić
“Participating in the “Can Anyone Hear My Voice” project was a transformative experience that brought me closer to the cultures of Ukraine, Italy, Croatia, and especially Turkey. Engaging with people from these countries, I learned about their unique traditions and perspectives, broadening my understanding of our shared humanity and resilience. This experience deepened my appreciation for cultural diversity and taught me valuable lessons about unity in times of crisis. The project also focused on vital skills for responding to natural disasters, ensuring that I am better prepared to act calmly and helpfully if such an event occurs. We learned step-by-step safety procedures that can make a difference, and I now feel more confident and ready to respond in case of an emergency.
Beyond disaster preparedness, this project offered crucial education on how to support our communities through blood donation and environmental stewardship. Learning who can donate blood and the process to safely do so was enlightening, as was understanding the life-saving impact a single donation can have. We also engaged in tree-planting activities, gaining firsthand knowledge on how to contribute positively to our planet. Planting trees not only taught us environmental responsibility but also left us with a sense of accomplishment, knowing we were helping to shape a greener future. Reflecting on the experience, I can truly say that this exchange and educational journey was one of the most meaningful in my life, and I am deeply grateful for the skills and friendships it has fostered.” – Vedad Šabović
“This project was a completely new experience for me. My comfort zone was shattered, multiple times. I was hesitant but at last, happy for it. Because I met so many incredible and inspiring people, firstly, from my own country. The lottery in which these eight individuals were picked out served in my, in our favor, and we had a great time. Besides the tourist-y stuff we got to enjoy each other’s presence and learn from one another. We got to work as a team, making decisions and solving problems on spot. Aside from my home team, I met young people from Italy, Croatia, Turkiye and Ukraine. Such similar cultures but at the same time completely different. Now to the topic of this project, “Can anyone hear my voice?”, a bit of crisis management, a bit of educating stuff and we got to learn something first hand from the first responders.
The project introduced us to people who were first in line to do something when nature struck in February of 2023. We were presented the chilling images and videos of the catastrophe that occurred in southeast region of Turkiye, and then given the instructions how we should behave if such things happened to us. We also worked on the issue of blood donation, we had a task of creating campaign that would make people more compassionate towards the victims and willing to donate blood on a regular basis. We were separated into teams to make a campaign for blood donation. People were surveyed and campaign took place in the city center of Elazig.” – Alma Mraković
“This project was an enormous and significant experience for me. It was my first time flying on a plane, and the feeling was extraordinary. Unplanned, we visited Istanbul and saw one of the city’s most famous landmarks, the magnificent Hagia Sophia. Landing in the city of Elazığ at night was a bit scary, as I had to break the fear of flying once and for all. As soon as I stepped out of the airport, I immediately noticed the cultural differences, especially since we were in the eastern part of Turkey, where various ethnic minorities mixes. From the beginning to the end of the project, two things remained the same: cars always had the right of way over pedestrians, and many Turks were not skilled in speaking English.
I must also mention the city of Elazığ itself. At first, it seemed very strange to me, and I wondered where I had arrived. By the end of the project, I was sad to leave because I had gotten used to the atmosphere of the city. Despite the significant damage and human losses it suffered and although it still hasn’t fully recovered, the people remained incredibly positive, hospitable, and full of love, wherever you went. I am delighted to have been part of this successful project and hope for the opportunity to meet these wonderful people again and to revisit golden Elazığ someday.” – Emelin Hasanspahić
„Being part of the ‘Can Anyone Hear My Voice’ youth exchange in Turkey was an unforgettable journey that combined learning, connection, and purpose. Joining with people from Croatia, Ukraine, Italy, and Turkey, we immersed ourselves in essential topics like earthquake preparedness and the importance of blood donation. This project wasn’t just about gaining knowledge; it was about building bridges across cultures and realizing the strength we have when we come together. The discussions, workshops, and hands-on activities made the experience meaningful, equipping us with the skills and awareness we need to make a difference in our communities.
I am deeply grateful for this opportunity and for the friendships and knowledge that will continue to guide me. I truly believe that this project has amplified our voices, empowering each of us to return home with a mission to contribute to a safer, more connected world.“
– Selvira Halilović