Helpific has affiliated with eight countries - how are they doing?
According to Zsolt Bugarszki, Director of International Operations: “Helpific has teams in eight countries, all in very different stages and at different levels of activities. Matchmaking has occurred in 5 countries (Estonia, Hungary, Ukraine, Croatia and US). In the Netherlands a University is working on the adaptation of the concept in the UK, after the first unsuccessful attempt with the disability/mental health target group, we are preparing a more general approach and in Finland we are still seeking for the right format and more human resources, but we are present.”
Peter Balazs - every day is a bonus!
Team member Peter Balazs – Helpific, the United Kingdom
Text: Ashley Misleh
Translation: Paula-Stina Tasane
Peter describes himself in five sentences or tells us what ever comes to his mind right this moment:
Peter is a middle-aged Hungarian guy with steel work and IT background. He’s a practical man who likes community involvement – he managed community radio and telehouse projects in Hungary for 7 years: Green Radio and started up community gardening projects in London within the past year: TABARD GROWERS and Stompie Garden
For the past 6 years he’s been living in London. He has a Latvian partner and a 10-year-old stepson. He also has a 10 year-old daughter back in Hungary.
His favourite quotes are ‘’Every day is a bonus’’ and ‘’Gutta cavat lapidem’' (‘’a water drop hollows a stone’’). Peter’s favourite movies are Pay It Forward, 7 Pounds and The Contact.
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Peter: "Every day is a bonus!" |
Kerti Kulper - I love writing and I love Helpific’s mission!
Team member Kerti Kulper - Helpific Estonia, copywriter-editor
Kerti describes herself with five sentences or tells us what ever comes to her mind right this moment:
Right now I’m feeling happy and I can honestly say that it’s been a while since I last felt like it. Negative thoughts went on a holiday as soon as the sun started warming my cheeks and this really makes me feel good. I feel like whatever worries life throws at you, everything will work out eventually and then you realise that even crappy things happen for a reason. Loving life at this moment :)
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"Sometimes it’s good to reach out to others because then you realise that others have the same kind of worries and problems and we’re not that different after all." |
Tom Rüütel - I have learned a lot about myself and therefore I know that Helpific and I belong together!
Team member Tom Rüütel - Helpific Estonia, peer advisor
Tom describes himself with five sentences or tells us whatever comes to his mind right this moment:
At the moment I feel tired from yesterday’s Rammstein concert. Life has shown me, that all the tiring and difficult activities are in reality the most emotional and the best ones. Be it a concert, engaging with something where I need to step out of my comfort zone or for example an evening with my friends. There are no impossible opportunities, there are only opportunities! You will never know until you have not tried!
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Tom celebrating first birthday of Helpific, 2015. |
A startup makes you leave the daily routine
Team member Sigrid Tammiste - Helpific Estonia, Marketing- and Communication Coordinator
Sigrid describes herself with five sentences or tells us whatever comes to her mind right this moment:
A beautiful spring morning, the sun is shining. You should feel inner happiness over every single starting day. Happiness from people and activities that you will deal with during the upcoming day.
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A person is developing when trying to test oneself in different situations. |
I have learned about topics through Helpific that I would otherwise have never even heard about!
Team member Liina Martinson - Helpific Estonia, translator
Liina describes herself with five sentences or tells us whatever comes to her mind right this moment:
The word that describes me the best is „mother“. Ever since I was a little girl, I wanted to become a mother. It was my dream, my passion, my longing… I have three kids now and motherhood is still my passion. Everything I do, I do for my kids and being able to do that makes me the happiest woman on earth. When asked to describe myself, I would say, that I am caring, helpful and aware of others around me. Multitasking is my middle name. Staying fit is my hobby: when unhappy, I go for a run. I despise violence in all forms, especially towards kids and animals.
Through love and dedication we can make a better world!
Team member Ashley Misleh - USA, International Correspondent
Ashley describes herself with five-sentences or tells us what ever comes to her mind on this moment:
When asked to describe myself, I find it difficult. The person I am now, as a wife, a mother, a sister, a friend. But there are in-between categories. We all are complex. BUT we all have one thing in common... Love. Love for God, love for life, love for family, love for friends, love for each-other. My first love is God. Everything is possible through Him. My love for my family is second. Being a mom, where all of my energy is devoted to, is the most exhausting, yet the most rewarding. My love for people… we are all called to love each-other, support each-other and uplift each-other. Through love and dedication we can make a better world. There is no room for hate, violence or discrimination. Love conquers all.