Implementation

Introduction to the Implementation of YE PEHELI

The Youth Exchange "PEHELI" (Peace, Empathy, Health, Expression, Leadership, Inclusion) brought together young people from diverse backgrounds for an inspiring 9-day journey of learning, self-discovery, and cultural exchange. Implemented in the beautiful setting of Pissouri, Cyprus, the program focused on inner peace, emotional intelligence, healthy habits, empathy, and active participation, using non-formal education methods to build inclusive leadership and stronger communities.

Each day was carefully designed to combine reflection, creativity, teamwork, and personal growth. Activities ranged from expressive arts and emotional awareness workshops to outdoor adventures and cultural nights. Participants explored well-being through physical, mental, social, and emotional lenses, while also building lifelong friendships and cross-cultural understanding. Through energizers, hands-on tasks, open discussions, and group work, the young people not only developed personal skills but also contributed to the collective spirit of peace and solidarity that defines the essence of PEHELI.

Day 1 - Monday May 26, 2025 Co-written by the facilitators team 🇨🇾

The first day of the project! This was the day when we met the facilitators team, Bobbie, Erma, Marina and Evangelia. Today, the entire day focused on learning about each other, such as our names, where we come from and more!

The first activity was name hangman. In this activity, we had tape stuck on our t-shirts, with lines like _ _ _ _ that correspond to the amount of letters of our name. As such, we went around "collecting" letters from each other who had the same letters as our name

The next activity was called self-portait. For this, we had a piece of paper with the shape of our face drawn on top. When music played, we went all around passing papers to each other. When Bobbie stopped the music, we drew one part of our face, such as one eye, an ear or nose. Different people drew different parts and in the end, the portraits looked so silly!

The last activity before coffee break was discussions in mixed groups about our opinions. Some stations was "coffee vs tea" or "mountain vs sea"/

After coffee break was the fears, expectations and contributions backpack where we talked about us, and what we could offer to the project. Bobbie finished the activity talking about our teams (such as a reels team or a photo team) and then we went for lunch.

After lunch we played 2 truths and one lie, where we had to figure out what the lie was of each other. Then we played human bingo, where we had to find special facts about each other. Finally, we learned about the Youthpass by playing different mini games based on the 8 key competencies

The last activity of the day was the "Corners of Diversity" There were 6 stations and we learned about each other.

  • 1st corner was the positively journal, writing down what we are grateful for

  • 2nd corner was the communication in a straight line
  • 3rd corner was the food culture corner, where we talked about the different healthy foods from our countries
  • 4th corner was name games
  • 5th corner was the personality corner, where we talked about what animals we identified with the most
  • 6th corner was the story circle of kindness, where we told stories to each other.

A great day learning all about each other!

Day 2 - Tuesday May 27, 2025, Co-written by the Ukrainian team 🇺🇦

The second day of the project was full of creativity, learning and emotional exploration!. We started the day with an energizer prepared by the Romanian team called "Rabbit and Hunter." It was a fun and dynamic way to wake up, move around, and laugh together before diving into the day's activities.

Afterwards, we got creative and eco-friendly by making our own notebooks using recycled materials. These personalized notebooks became our space for reflection and self-discovery. In them, we created diagrams representing the four areas of well-being: Physical, Mental, Social, and Emotional.

The next activity focused on goal-setting. With the help of the facilitators, we learned how to define a SMART goal — Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. Everyone chose a personal goal to work on during the project, giving meaning and purpose to the days ahead.

In the afternoon, we headed to the tennis court for a series of outdoor activities prepared by the facilitators. The court was divided into five zones, each representing a different emotional state:

Happiness, Calm, Stress, Anxiety, and Frustration.

Through different exercises and discussions, we explored what each of these zones feels like and how to recognize and manage our emotions better. It was a powerful way to connect with ourselves and others.


After the coffee break, we went through homework, learning the realities of our countries, wether it comes to peace, and health, wether its about mental, physical and how our countries handle each one

To end the day on a festive note, we enjoyed the Intercultural Evening presented by Ukraine 🇺🇦, Cyprus 🇨🇾, Lithuania 🇱🇹 and Hungary 🇭🇺. Each country shared their traditions, dances, music, and delicious food. It was a wonderful celebration of diversity and culture.

Another inspiring day that brought us closer together — physically, emotionally and culturally!

Day 3 - Wednesday May 28, 2025. Co-written by the Lithuanian team 🇱🇹

We started the day by going hiking on the Pissouri trail. We faced hot weather, which was very challenging. But we managed to see mesmerizing landscapes and take plenty of beautiful pictures. Going down was harder, then going up, but it was a great exercise useful for inner peace.

After having a break, we met outside for an energizer organized by Ukrainian participants. The energizer they presented was a game called 'Hi Ha Ho'. People were divided into four teams where they had to eliminate each other by raising hands and saying hi ha ho.

Later we were split into two groups, and then we switched ib between.

Erma's activity was about emotional eating, and we used food and slowly ate it with eyes closed.

Bobbie's activity was in the workshop room to talk about how calories work, how BMR is calculated and then we made a meal plan for the day.

At the end of the day after the break we had a task to write/draw our life timeline. We had to remember the key moments of our lives and mark them on a timeline to see how we grew and how key events changed us.

Day 4 - Thursday May 29, 2025 - Co-written by the Cypriot team 🇨🇾

Today was a beautiful blend of creativity, exploration, and connection with nature and history.

We started the day with a peaceful visit to the beach. There, we took part in a reflective and artistic activity: painting rocks with our happy place. It was a calming and expressive moment, as each of us put our emotions and inner peace into something real. Afterward, we had some free time to enjoy the beach whether it was swimming and relaxing.

Once we left the beach, we headed off on a small trip. Our first stop was Kourion, where we visited the ancient theater, a breathtaking site that reminded us of the deep history and cultural richness of Cyprus. It was a moment to reflect on the layers of the past and how they shape the present.

After Kourion, we made our way to the Limassol City Center. There, we had some free time to explore the town on our own, whether walking around the old streets or grabbing a traditional Cypriot coffee.

When we returned to the hotel, we were given even more free time to rest, bond, or reflect on the experiences of the day. It was a light and flexible end to a day that was both inspiring and grounding.

Day 5 - Friday May 30, 2025 Co-written by the Moldovan team 🇲🇩

We began the day with an energizer prepared by the Cypriot team called "Catch the Flag." It was a fun and energetic way to kick off the day before starting the planned activities. The first activity focused on answering and completing various tasks based on the following questions:

  • How would you define inner peace? What does inner peace mean to you? (do it by drawing)
  • How do you think physical habits (like food, exercise, sleep) influence your sense of inner calmness?
  • What tools, habits or even environments help you stay balanced?
  • What are some methods we can use to listen to ourselves more deeply, such as mentally, emotionally or spiritually?
  • What are some ways that what you eat influence your mood or energy levels?
  • What role does creativity or self-expression play in your inner well-being?
  • How can social media affect inner peace (positively or negatively)

After this reflective session, we got creative by painting blindfolded. The goal of this activity was to observe whether it would make us feel anxious. At the end, we shared our experiences and answered a few follow-up questions related to the task.

After the lunch break, we played "Guess Who Is Dancing." In this game, everyone followed the moves of one person, while one individual tried to guess who the original dancer was.

Later, we moved indoors for an activity in which we created sculptures out of clay on the topic of Peace. After completing our artworks, we presented them to the group.

We had a short coffee break, and afterwards, we made posters using images from magazines. This was another opportunity to express ourselves creatively and reflect on our inner thoughts and feelings. Each activity helped us explore the concept of inner peace from different perspectives: emotionally, physically, and artistically.

Day 6 - Saturday May 31, 2025, Co-written by the Lebanese team 🇱🇧

The Moldavian team led an energizer called Meduza, starting with a fun round of number exchange while "Call Me Maybe" played in the background. Afterwards, everyone stood in a circle, heads down, and on the count of three, looked up at someone in the group. If two people made eye contact, they were out of the game. The goal was to avoid eye contact while still looking at someone.

Theatre of the oppressed

They divided us into six groups, each assigned a different topic: sexism, lookism, religion, classism, ageism, and gender. Each group created a short play with a bad ending, featuring a victim and a mean character. After performing the original version, the scene was replayed with the audience invited to intervene and suggest changes to transform the ending into a positive one. However, the victim and mean character had to remain the same throughout, highlighting how change can happen without replacing people, but by shifting behaviors and perspectives.

Gymnastics

During our session, we started in the gym section, where we began with a series of stretching exercises to warm up our muscles and prepare our bodies for more intense movements. After that, we moved on to strength-based exercises, including squats, planks, and push-ups, each designed to target different muscle groups and improve overall fitness. To make things more engaging, we added a fun dancing segment that got everyone moving energetically and lifted the mood. We also held some lighthearted push-up competitions, which added a bit of excitement and encouraged everyone to challenge themselves and support one another.

Following the gym activities, we transitioned into the yoga section. This part of the session focused on full body stretching and flexibility. We practiced a variety of yoga poses aimed at relaxing the body and mind while enhancing balance and coordination. Some of the poses we performed included the Snake pose, the Samurai pose, and several others that worked on different muscle groups and joints. The yoga exercises not only helped improve our flexibility but also offered a calming and meditative end to our physical activity. Overall, it was a well-rounded and enjoyable session that combined strength, flexibility, and fun.

At the Circus Section participants were quickly introduced to various circus tools, including flower sticks, juggling balls, etc. After a brief but effective training session, we had the opportunity to practice these skills ourselves. The session included participants showcasing their newly learned talents in front of the entire group, creating a lively and enjoyable atmosphere for everyone.

DBT house

Participants engaged in a reflective and emotional activity called the DBT House. Each person created their own house, answering guided questions about their emotions, values, support systems, and personal accomplishments. Through drawing and writing, participants were able to explore their inner thoughts and feelings in a creative and meaningful way. The activity created a safe and open space for self-expression, allowing everyone to connect with themselves and each other on a deeper level. It served as a powerful reminder of the importance of emotional awareness, self-reflection, and support in building a fulfilling life.

Cultural night

The Lebanese team kicked things off with a PowerPoint showing us all the cool stuff about Lebanon. They talked about the country's weather, famous people like Shakira and Fairuz, and amazing spots like Jeita Grotto and the Baalbek ruins. After that, they put on a fun act of a traditional Lebanese wedding, giving us a taste of their lively celebrations. To wrap it up, they treated us to a delicious tasting session with classic Lebanese foods like hummus, labneh, za'atar, and baba ghanoush.

The Romanian team showed us some funny comedian videos from TikTok, which had everyone laughing. Then, they gave us a glimpse into their culture by showing how arranged marriages happen in their country. Finally, they taught us a traditional dance, letting us join in and learn some new moves together. It was a mix of humor, culture, and fun!

The Moldovian team started with a lively traditional dance that brought a joyful energy to the room. They spoke about their flag and what it symbolizes, showed maps of their country, and proudly introduced Moldova's famous wine culture. To end, they sang a heartfelt song while playing the guitar, creating a cozy and emotional atmosphere that brought everyone closer.

Day 7 - Sunday June 1, 2025. Co-written by the Hungarian team 🇭🇺

Team Lebanon facilitated the energizer in the morning. It was a fun, competitive game based on the song: "Head, shoulders, knees and toes", but instead of "toes" it was "bottle". We were in pairs and when "bottle" was said, the first person to grab the bottle in between the two people wins. The winners then competed with each other. I really liked this energizer. For me it was an enjoyable way to start the day.

During the first session, Bobby talked about the opportunities we have if we want to participate in Erasmus+ programs. He mentioned several programs, including "Youth Exchanges", which is open to people aged 13-30, and the "Erasmus Semester". Later, Marina gave a presentation about her own experiences, which was my favorite part because it was nice to hear how joyfully she talked about them. In addition, other guests joined in as well. It was a useful, information-filled session.

After coffee break we had to do aqua aerobics, we had to change into swimwear and go into the pool. Xenia, our trainer, showed us the movements we had to do. Jazmin, our teammate of Hungarians and others were really serious about working out outside since they couldn't get into the pool, it was fun to look at. Everyone enjoyed this event, and we all had a lot of fun while moving our bodies.

After lunch we were divided into groups, and I was happy because I ended up in a strong, goal-oriented team. After that, we headed to Pissouri, where there was an exhibition showcasing the items created during the youth exchange this week. They were beautiful! It was nice to walk around the town, discover and see new things. 

The team worked quickly and we finished the tasks, and still had time to go to a store and grab a drink. More information about afternoon activitiy in the link: https://peheli4all.webnode.page/tasks-in-pissouri/ 

After everyone was done, we sat down at the table, and each of us got a soft drink of our choice. What was special was the size of the gyro in the pita – it was huge, something I had never seen before. Then we ate, and it was really, really delicious.

In the evening Mira's fire juggling was incredible, and you could see the happiness in everyone, including Mira, who clearly loves what she does. Then the dancing was also amazing, especially seeing how many different cultures came together, and they all had such a great time. For me, this was an unforgettable experience, both to watch and to experience, because I felt really great.

But also, specific Instagram post just for this - https://www.instagram.com/p/DKaMxJyNncL/?img_index=2 

Day 8 - Monday June 2, Co-written by the Belarusian team 🤍❤️🤍

The 8th day was full of motion, new activities, and delicious flavors :) Our day started earlier than usual, as we had a wonderful opportunity to visit a local farm where halloumi, a traditional Cypriot cheese, is produced. Thank you, Bobby, for the story about its name - only in Cyprus is this cheese called "halloumi." Don't get confused, or you might even get sued! ;)

Fresh cheese was a perfect start to a productive day, which smoothly flowed into the main activity! Which was creating a video in our native languages. The activity brought us lots of positive emotions and joy. We joked a lot while also putting serious thought into what we wanted to say about these amazing and meaningful 8 days on this picturesque land, bathed in bright sunshine and shrouded in the fresh sea breeze.

In the afternoon, we began thinking about the script, locations, and topics, which helped us save time for filming in the evening. It was another wonderful day together, and some participants even discovered hidden talents in video directing and acting :)

Belarus video

Romanian video

Moldovan video

Cypriot video

Lebanese video

Ukrainian video

Lithuanian video

Hungarian video 

To top off this blissful day, we had the chance to taste lokma, traditional Cypriot buns soaked in honey - a true delight that everyone loved. The day ended just as beautifully as it began. Our restaurant was filled with lovely live music, and after sunset, we went out with our team to admire the starry sky.

Day 9 - Tuesday June 3, 2025, Co-written by the Romanian team 🇷🇴

The last day of the project! After sending our videos to Bobbie, we had a watch party where we watched all 9 videos that we worked on so hard creating yesterday! It was a great watch because before this we had not seen each other's videos yet! With the project ending, we created 3 stations, one with music, one with art, and another writing messages to each other, for us to read when we return back home!

In the afternoon, Nikolas came to talk to us about follow-up activities, we did the evaluation and the moment we were all waiting for. The Youthpass ceremony, where we all received certificates for our hard work in this project!

Participants per country were also responsible for making reels in this project, you can watch them below!

Reels