Discover Liam’s VET (vocational education and training) project working with animals in Malta (Erasmus+).

Project supported by the Erasmus+ programme of the European Union, in partnership with ProCo. NW Ltd and the National Cat Society of Malta.

Discover Rebecca’s VET (vocational education and training) project working with animals in Malta (Erasmus+).

Project supported by the Erasmus+ programme of the European Union, in partnership with ProCo. NW Ltd

Discover Derek’s VET (vocational education and training) project working with animals in Malta (Erasmus+).

Project supported by the Erasmus+ programme of the European Union, in partnership with ProCo. NW Ltd

”Today we had breakfast half 9 and after we was waiting for someone to pick us up so we can go the cat centenary to help out by cleaning up the mess, when we got there we was met by loads of cats and all the cats were friendly and came to you, we stating to take pictures of the cats before we started any work, the place quiet smelly but got use to it after a while. After we finished there we came back to the hotel and had some free time and had quick nap before tea, for starter I had carrot and lentil soup, for main I had fish with potato, carrots and peas and for desert I had tiramisu. Then went for a little walk and got a henna tattoo, then came back to the hotel room to chill and was listening to music that was happening outside.”

Testimony from Joe Harrison, Leonardo Da Vinci Mobility trainee in Malta.

Leonardo Da Vinci Mobility project

part of Empowered From Within

and supported by ECORYS UK

and the Lifelong Learning Programme of the European Commission.

My name is Jamie Watts, I come from Halifax, West Yorkshire. I did a Leonardo Da Vinci Mobility because it was my first time abroad and I wanted to experience life out of England. For my project I went to Malta, which is an island off the coast of Italy; I stayed there for two months and one week. For my work I volunteered at Tomiseera National Cat Society which there I cleaned, groomed and fed the cats. During this experience I have to admit I enjoyed it more being there without no worries to summit up. in one word I would have to say it was amazing! Working with cats isn’t my best example of best job as I don’t really like them but animals is my passion. I want to be a veterinary in the future and this experience has given me the chance to hopefully making my future bright working with animals.

Jamie, short term Leonardo Da Vinci Mobility European trainee in Malta.

Discover the project : click here.

Leonardo Da Vinci Mobility project supported by ECORYS UK
and the Lifelong Learning Programme
of the European Commission.

Hello everybody! We are back again with our adventures from the Caribbean!

This week in our project we have been taking care of our lovely donkeys, the same as last week but unfortunately, Faith, a female donkey has been sick so we have been assisting the veterinary on his job.

However, our job have been focused into Philips Animal Garden, where we have been making a lot of progress with the animals there. Our routine during this week has eventually become much easier than last week, as we are more confident feeding and cleaning the water pots. That is one of the most difficult tasks we have been assigned due to the risk of being bitted by a huge parrot, for example. Also this week we fed a Piton snake (with an alive chicken, in a box) longer than 18 feet . Overall, the job on Philips is very hard although we are doing pretty well following the instructions of our trainer Juan Pablo aka “Chiquito”.

Even waking up every day during the week at 6:30 am, we still had energy to do something else after working. Every afternoon we come to the apartment to prepare our lunch, as Aruban restaurants are usually expensive and we are trying to save some money. This does not mean we had not tried local food few times, but the everyday meals we do this way. For instance, we were in a fisherman’s restaurant called Zee Rover, where you can enjoy the freshest fish on the island. This is an unusual place, where they offer you what they have fished that day. Then you buy it by weight and they prepare it deliciously with fried banana, chips or spicy onion.

During our free time, we continued exploring the island and discovering new amazing places. Last days, we have been snorkeling in some of the reefs and beaches around the island, what it is a unique sensation due to the diversity of the sea life and the dreamy views under the ocean. We were so impressed with it that we have decided to make the Open Water scuba course to fully enjoy the Aruban sea views. Another great part of the trip, is to be delighted by the sunset on the beach, something we do everyday.

Also, this weekend we went to discover the nightlife of the island, as the previous weekend we were so tired to do it. Aruba has two different ambiences, the touristic and local ones. The first one is in big clubs with lots of foreign people and commercial music, and the second ones are smaller pubs (and cheaper as well) where you can find many Aruban people really nice and talkative. Both ambiences are really good but also very different which give you a wide range to choose.

We forgot to mention that Aruban mosquitos are in love with our blood… they are not dangerous but neither nice at all! Anyway, we will survive! They don’t bite you under the sea!

Adrián and Eva, short term Leonardo Trainees

Project part of Empowered From Within
and supported by ECORYS UK
and the Lifelong Learning Programme
of the European Commission.

Hello, we are Adrián and Eva (26 and 24 years-old) and this is our first week as Leonardo trainees in Aruba. We are both Spanish but we are living in Leeds where Everything is Possible has given us the chance to do this project.

Aruba is a small island in the caribbean sea, very close to Venezuela. As it is part of the Netherlands, they speak Dutch and their native creole language called Papiamento. However, most of the people also speak Spanish because of the strong geographical influence and English because of the tourism. The national currency is the Aruban Florin, although they accept US Dollars everywhere. In Aruba, everything is really different to Europe; First of all, the weather is really humid and very hot, completely different to the cold autumn of West Yorkshire. Secondly, the nature is  green but it seems like a dessert, as everything is full of cactuses, lizards and iguanas for instance.

During the first week, we were supported by Clair, who came with us to discover the project and the island. As we have been the pioneers of this adventure, we are developing the project for trainees that will come in the future to the island.

Our main job is in Aruba Donkey Sanctuary, where we clean and feed the 72 donkeys living there, as well as guide the tourists that come everyday to visit the sanctuary. In addition, we work as shop assistant and bartender when necessary to provide full support to the organisation.

Furthermore we are also trying more projects, as Philips Animal Garden, an organisation that takes care of exotic animals that have been abandoned along the years in Aruba. There, we take care of animals as monkeys, horses, goats, ponies, snakes, a huge variety of birds, caimans, turtles, pigs, kangaroos, camels…

Our location is in the north-west of the island where we are living in a small but complete apartment, even with a swimming pool to refresh ourselves after a long working day. However, there are so many mosquitoes at night, so it makes very difficult to sleep without some bites everyday.

Last but not least, during our free time we usually go to the beach, one of the most attractive parts of the island as well as visiting the different beautiful spots that it offers. We have already been at California Lighthouse, a natural bridge of rocks formed above the sea, an ostrich farm, Oranjestad (the capital of the island), San Nicolas and some typical restaurants where we have enjoyed the local cuisine.

Even though the island is pretty small, we have not had the time to explore it completely. We will keep you informed about this happy island and our adventures by next week.

Adrian and Eva, short term Leonardo Trainees

Project part of Empowered From Within
and supported by ECORYS UK
and the Lifelong Learning Programme
of the European Commission.