Since its inception in 2012 and with two cohorts (2012-2014, 2014-2019) of participants that passed through it, the Roots Peace Work Institute (PWI) sought to enroll young leaders of different backgrounds from across Europe, young people who were and are a voice and not an echo – eager to learn, to try, to grow… Like raw diamonds to shine after the grind.
And we believe that most of these 48 Alumni managed to develop both personally and professionally as they journeyed through PWI.
Today we share with you the story of Marta, a volleyball lover and a warm-hearted activist from Spain.
Marta studied Psychology and currently she is preparing for the specialist exam that will allow her to work in public hospitals. At the same time, she is pursuing the Master’s degree in sanitary psychology.
Before joining the Roots, Marta had little experience in peace work and conflict studies, but always had a desire to do good for the world. Volunteering since she was 16 for different causes and initiatives in her hometown and community, she did not have a real encounter with peacebuilding until she came across Roots.
Marta joined the Peacework Institute and in many aspects, as she says – it changed her life:
“The program opened my mind and made me realize how privileged I am. I made a lot of incredible friends and lived with them the most amazing experiences of my life. If I have to describe the Roots in three words, I would choose these ones: friendship, open mind, belonging” Marta says.
The Roots is not only a project, but also a life school in some way, through which the participants achieve something special and it helps people to take out the best of them.
This is how usually the Roots family refers to the project. And Marta is one of those who says that Roots made her more confident about herself and how she can achieve anything if she works hard and makes an effort for it. And yes, this is one of the most important values that Roots share with people: anything you can aim for can become real with the right attitude and hard work!
Talking about unforgettable moments, it was quite hard for Marta to choose one as she has so many of them.
“But especially I think I will never forget our trip to Nagorno-Karabakh, as it was like I found a country and people that felt like being home”.
The study visit to Karabakh was in August 2014 (foto album here), and till today the locals there remember Marta as a warm-hearted person with whom they share great memories.
Love for Karabakh is not shown only by her words. Marta got close to it so much that she made a tattoo in the Armenian language which says “Լոխ լյավա” (everything is fine). With this act, she connected herself physically to Karabakh forever.
This is all that Roots is about: not just making a contact, but making a deep connection.. deep all the way to the roots!
Since 2007 and ever growing, from the South to the North, from the East to the West of Europe – the Roots has always been there for those striving to make this world a better and safer place, a peaceful home for all. We go where the need is, responding quickly to the emerging issues with the legacy and mandate, capacity and adaptability gained for all these years.
By donating to the Roots, you invest in youth opinion leaders from all corners of Europe – varied by age, ethnicity, religion, race or wealth, but united with one strong conviction – Peace is the only way!
