KreACTiv

At the Non-Profit Kreactiv, there are European Volunteers or EVS from all over. Here we have 3 from Ireland and one from Estonia as well as some local Macedonians. Can you tell who is who?

Things can get pretty boring living in a town where there isn't much to do except go to cafes and restaurants. Add that to freezing weather and one might go stir crazy. I feel incredibly blessed to have the non-profit organization, Kreactiv, in my town. Kreactiv is a youth organization that offers workshops, cultural nights, English lessons and much more. They focus on ACTing by reaching out to the youth. 

Kreactiv hired Elena (a host country national) at the organization and finally it has 2 workers there now

My fellow site mate, Jasmine, works at this organization. Currently there are 10 other volunteers from Europe. 8 of these volunteers are EVS volunteers which is an organization run through the European Union. There are short term volunteers and long term volunteers.  There are 4 short term volunteers (here for 1 month) from Ireland and all the rest are long term from Estonia, Finland, Portugal, Belgium and Wales. Most of the EVS volunteers at this organization are here for either 9 or 12 months. This seems like short amount of time compared to the length of Peace Corps. Next month, 2 long term EVS volunteers from Ireland will arrive. It's can be hard with new volunteers coming and old ones leaving but it's a really unique experience to learn about so many cultures and make so many friends. The EVS volunteers typically focus on a specific project while here but also help out with various workshops and activities. 

Typically, the EVS volunteers have a workshop that focuses on their home country. This is a chance for everyone to learn about the culture and way of life as well as try some of their traditional food. This past week was Irish night complete with shepherd's pie! 

Kreative recently purchased a plot of land and in the fall, the volunteers spent a lot of time there clearing rocks and stones from the land. Spinach was planted and is beginning to grow! This is a way to teach the youth about sustainability. It is an organic farm and they hope to plant more vegetables in the spring. It is very relatable for the Macedonians because most people in Macedonian have small farms in their yards or in their village homes. Agriculture is a very big part of the economy here. Thankfully the agriculture in my site revolves around grapes. Kavadarci is the wine country of Macedonia where grape vines and vineyards are everywhere you look!

It's always a fun time at Kreactiv 

I have become very involved with this organization. It gives me something to do in my free time and I get to make new friends from all over the world, speak ENGLISH, learn about new cultures and be around people my age. It has been a challenge to make Macedonian friends that are my age. 

2 weeks ago, Jasmine and I had an intercultural night that followed the theme of Black History Month. We focused on change so that the youth could relate and be inspired that they can make a change in their country. 

 At the cultural night, inspired my Marthin Luther King Jr. we had them write their dreams and share them 

Jasmine and I with our dreams 

We also had them trace their foot and write on their foot, write one way how they can change the world no matter how big or small

One of the PCV from the nearby town, Negotino, came to celebrate Intercultural Night at Kreactiv

 Last month, this was the Christmas celebration in Kreactiv

I look forward to the many fun things Kreactiv has planned as well as teaching the youth, along with Jasmine, more about the American culture and history. 

Cooking Adventures in the kitchen!

Welcome to my kitchen complete with homemade everything: salsa, applesauce, fajitas, chili and some soya (aka meat substitute) 

When I signed up for Peace Corps, I had no idea what the food situation would be like. Considering the fact that I had no idea where Macedonia was when I first got my invite, of course I had no idea what Balkan food would entail. Upon arriving, I have tried many new foods. Many without my wanting but being a guest, I need to be polite. This culture takes great passion in their cooking and can become offended if you don't at least try one bite.

Although I live with a host family, I have opted to make my own food instead of eating their food. I can't can't seem to adjust to the salty and oily food. Plus being a vegetarian really complicates things!


Macedonian food has been a hard adjustment for me but I feel so incredibly blessed to have my own kitchen. I have made many disastrous dishes and have learned so much from cooking. Some examples: boil your potatoes before you add them to soup (or you have a starchy brothless soup), if your pizza dough is sticky before baking, baking it without adding extra flour will make it stick to the pan despite of adding olive oil and make sure to figure out how much water you need for bullion cubes or you will have an extremely salty soup. These are only a few of the many things I have learned.

There have been some great successes in the kitchen. I have learned how to make my own vegetable stock, homemade applesauce, chili, baked beans, cauliflower rice and homemade dough. One thing that I am extremely proud of is learning what to substitute in a recipe because of the limited food variety here. It is a challenge, especially when it comes to spices or not having a blender/food processor but I am learning to manage!

I am very lucky that my fellow site mate Jasmine loves to cook and bake so about every 2 weeks we get together and make something delicious!

Here are some pictures of my creations:

Ricotta and Spinach Tortellini with a mushroom sauce mixed with fresh spinach and mushrooms and steamed broccoli on the side

Yummmm: homemade applesauce 

Fajitas!! 

I made the traditional Macedonian baked bean dish called Tavce Gravce

good old guacamole

American pancakes with baked cinnamon apples (had to find an alternative to put on my pancakes because of no syrup)

Egg muffins for a quick breakfast on the go!

Another great breakfast item: apple cinnamon baked oatmeal 

Banana bread

Applesauce oatmeal raisin cookies, I consider them healthy

Jasmine and I made cinnamon buns, we made them pretty thin accidentally but that just meant we had to eat more to equal one

My attempt at making falafel, was very crumbly but delicious! 

Veggie pizza with homemade whole wheat dough, soya (a meat substitute like tofu), peppers, onions and homemade tomato sauce. Tasted more delicious then it looks

Veggie soup 

Who doesn't love eggplant pizza and roasted brussel sprouts? 

Jasmine and I made cinnamon sugar pretzels with a cream cheese sauce for dipping

And last but not least, we made s'mores together inside in the fireplace! Although we didn't have graham crackers, we made do with biscuits 

And on my few trips to the capital, Skopje, I have found some satisfying international food. Although it's not the same as home, it's so nice to have different flavors.

Fajitas at the Mexican restaurant 

Falafel at the Arabian Syrian restaurant 

I have only had my own kitchen for 2 months and am excited to continue experimenting and creating new dishes. Feel free to offer any suggestions or simple delicious recipes that I can make.