Photo exhibition:
"Choose volunteering and change the world"
Vilnius University encourages the community to get involved in volunteer activities at the university or in other organisations that host volunteers, such as the Lithuanian Red Cross, Youth Line, Caritas, etc.
Volunteering is an opportunity to learn, change and empower oneself and the surrounding environment for positive change. Therefore, we would like to invite you to get to know the employees and students of Vilnius University who devote part of their time to voluntary activities and thus change the world.
We wish to thank the VU SA Photography Club and every volunteer who shared their volunteering stories for the implementation of the idea and cooperation.
Vilnius University Volunteer Centre
Kristina Daugnoraitė – student of the economics study programme at the Šiauliai Academy of Vilnius University and volunteer of the VU volunteering project "Guiding Star"
"At the very beginning of the friendship, it was not so easy to find a connection with the child. However, after getting to know each other better, we even discovered common interests! One of them is cats. The most memorable moment was visiting the Cat Museum, where 7 fluffy cats live. Seeing the shining eyes, smile and joy of a child made me realise how meaningful the time dedicated to volunteering can be."
Photograph by Gustė Grigaliūtė
Greta Demanavičiūtė – student of Vilnius University's childhood pedagogy study programme and volunteer of the VU volunteering project "Guiding Star"
"While volunteering in the “Guiding Star” project, one of the most memorable meetings with my little friend was when we played video games, even though I had never done that before. While playing, I received an unexpectedly large amount of support, the child kept repeating: “You can do it!'' or “You keep getting better every time!''. These meetings showed me what it means to create an equal relationship while learning from each other."
Photograph by Agata Gaben
Anastasija Birulina – student of Vilnius University's occupational therapy study programme and volunteer curator of VU volunteering project "Guiding Star"
"After the first year of volunteering, when I received an offer to become a volunteer curator in the VU project "Guiding Star", I was very happy, but at the same time I was filled with anxiety. What happens if I don't know how to help future volunteers? However, at the very first meeting, when I got to know the group that I was supervising, I realised that I would succeed, because we are all human and we can achieve great things by working together! That is exactly what happened."
Photograph by Severyna Levon
Kamilė Jasaitytė – student of Vilnius University's international business studies programme and a volunteer of VU's volunteering project "Guiding Star"
"Even if it might seem strange, the last meeting with my little friend was the most memorable for me. We hung out on the swings in the park and talked about the past year. She said that she enjoyed this time with me so much that she would like to volunteer when she grows up. Later, while we were talking, cookies suddenly started flying all over the square! That was because we put them on the swing and completely forgot about them. We laughed so much! This friendship was truly magical for me."
Photograph by Agata Gaben
Inesa Burkevičiūtė – student of Vilnius University's econometrics study programme and a volunteer of the aid project for students with impaired hearing
"Although I started volunteering accidentally as I was invited by a friend who was looking for people who could help students with hearing disabilities, during volunteering I learned a lot about myself and the surrounding environment. While reviewing the lecture material, I realised how much information we provide when speaking, which is not easily accessible to everyone. That is why I think that creativity in communicating with each other is especially important!"
Photograph by Gabija Matijaškaitė
Ugnė Vitkauskaitė – student of Vilnius University's psychology study programme and a volunteer of VU "Magis" club's initiative to help children with Down syndrome
"Before my first meeting with children with Down syndrome, I was very afraid, thinking that I might do something wrong. However, to my deep surprise, it only took 10 minutes and we were not only laughing out loud together, but also blowing soap bubbles non-stop. When the negative thoughts disappeared, I realised that sometimes you need to not give in to fear and just be brave."
Photograph by Gabija Raubaitė
Ugnė Elkimavičiūtė – a student of Vilnius University's psychology study programme and a volunteer of the Artscape Arts Agency, who contributes to providing aid to migrants
"They are not migrants to me. To me they are people. And I want to help a person who needs a hand to just get through the difficulties. I believe that a civilisation is as strong as it is able to take care of the most vulnerable members of its society, and a harmonious society accommodates diversity within itself."
Photograph by Severyna Levon
Ieva Keliauskaitė Mališauskė – Educator at Artscape Arts Agency and Ugnė Elkimavičiūtė - a student of Vilnius University's psychology study programme and a volunteer of the Artscape Arts Agency, who contributes to providing aid to migrants.
A moment from the Jieznas Migrant Centre: "Wednesday started early, and it was a long road from Vilnius to Jieznas, therefore the moods were varied. However, in Jieznas we were met by a group of children whose families are currently seeking asylum in Lithuania. Then the games, chasing, dances and conversations began. We came back happy and full of joy."
Photograph by Severyna Levon
Kotryna Žuravliova - student of Vilnius University's history study programme and volunteer of VU Culture Centre
"Culture has accompanied me since childhood. I remember when I was little, my great-grandmother used to take me to ballet or opera performances and concerts. Of course, I may not have liked it very much at the time, because I was a child, but when the Lithuanian language teacher in the 12th grade started inviting us to plays and told us about them, it seemed that all the memories from childhood came back. Since then, I wanted to volunteer at cultural events and see how things are done from the inside."
Photograph by Simonas Lukoševičius
Odeta Ostrauskytė - student of Vilnius University creative communication study programme and the communication volunteer at VU Volunteer Centre
"I am currently studying at the VU Faculty of Communication, so during the first year I decided to try volunteering related to my future profession. Just at that time, VU Volunteer Centre was looking for a communication coordinator. I got excited because it was an opportunity to test myself in the field of communication and to do it by talking about the meaningful activities of our community members. When I was first invited to meet the volunteers, I was, to say the least, amazed at the challenges they face and how resourcefully they overcome them!"
Photograph by Linas Daugėla
Rokas Stuogis – student of Vilnius University history study programme and VU Museum volunteer
"Each new year of study at the university is also a new year of changing volunteering at the VU Museum. The most memorable moment of volunteering happened when I had the opportunity to present the 400th anniversary of Vilnius University celebrated in the Soviet era in Biržai. That was the case possibly because northern Lithuania is my native area. It is always nice to be back."
Photograph by Gustė Grigaliūtė
Eglė Dzimidaitė – student of Vilnius University history study programme and VU Museum volunteer
"For me, volunteering is associated with self-knowledge, development and support of the people around me. For a long time I had a great fear of speaking in front of an audience of people. I never thought that I would ever have to lead tours and I would love it at the same time! I remember one of the first tours, when, due to excitement, I forgot what to say next, which made me very upset, but one of the women who was listening smiled, looked at me and said: "It's okay, calm down," then we all laughed and I continued the story."
Photograph by Severyna Levon
Agnė Ropytė – student of Vilnius University's culture and anthropology study programme and VU Museum volunteer
"After I started volunteering, I immersed myself in the secrets and curiosities of the university's history. Deeper, deeper, deeper, into the cellars! Bones, coffins, cold, humidity were scary, but friendships made, experiences and knowledge gained helped overcome all fears."
Photograph by Gustė Grigaliūtė
Augustė Grakavinaitė – student of Vilnius University history study programme and VU Museum volunteer
"For me, volunteering is all about sharing and smiles. I remember how we, museum volunteers, led free tours for residents of the city of Vilnius. After my guided tour, a woman came up to me and with great enthusiasm and joy began to tell me all about her studies. She was extremely happy to have the opportunity to return to the university and see it changed."
Photograph by Agata Gaben
Simona Kirijenko – student of Vilnius University's Middle East studies programme and volunteer of the Lithuanian Red Cross
"When the migrant crisis occurred in Lithuania, I decided to join the Lithuanian Red Cross organisation and contribute to volunteer activities, specifically in migrant centres. Here we have a tradition of celebrating children's birthdays, which took place in during the previous week, every Saturday. They have their own local baker at the centre who bakes amazingly delicious for us every time. It always fills me with joy when I see how happy the kids get when they celebrate and eat that cake."
Photograph by Justina Reklaitytė
Laura Povilaitytė – student of Vilnius University's psychology study programme and a volunteer of the Vilnius Archdiocese Caritas Foreigners Integration Program
"At that time, at the Pabradė foreigner registration centre, the people whom I already know and who are currently residing there wanted to thank me for the time I volunteered for them, and invited me to have lunch together. It was an exceptional experience. We sat down on the ground, crossed our legs, bread was placed in front of us, and we talked while sharing it. This meeting was a lesson in humanity and true gratitude for me, which I carry in my memory to this day."
Photograph by Andranik Karagezian
Dr. Rita Rekašiūtė Balsienė – Vice-Rector for Organisational Development and Community Affairs of Vilnius University and volunteer of Youth Line.
"I have accumulated a lot of valuable experience consulting various organisations, so sharing it with the Youth Line seems meaningful and important to me. Here I feel like giving back and helping others. I think every person should have a place where they could give instead of exchanging!"
Photograph by Andranik Karagezian
Prof. Eglė Lastauskienė – chairwoman of the Senate of Vilnius University, Managing Director of the Institute of Biosciences of the Life Sciences Centre and volunteer of the Lithuanian Red Cross
"While volunteering at the Ukrainian registration centre, one of the most vivid memories was the arrival of an elderly couple who, being of a really respectable age themselves, managed to take their 6 kg rabbit from Kharkiv. Here in Lithuania, they were most moved by the fact that we offered food and water even to their pet. In such moments, you realise that human warmth and empathy have no limits."
Photograph by Andranik Karagezian
Tadas Karosas – Vilnius University career consultant and Youth Line volunteer
"During the annual meeting of Youth Line volunteers, I felt the urge to just hug the people present there, but I was afraid that I would be misunderstood. When I voiced this wish, I got more hugs than I expected, which made me feel heard. It was good to be accepted for who I am. I hope that those who call us can also feel heard and accepted."
Photograph by Andranik Karagezian