What does the Local Guides program mean to you?
I started sharing my pictures about 3 years ago without thinking of any contests and awards. By getting ready to our travellings my family usually looks through the Google Maps’ content to get to know with all the necessaries to be aware on the trip. I thought, ok, if I would need it so other people could need it as well. I took photos of different places, animals, buildings and sights I liked just because I liked them. And I remember the day when I received Google Maps’ message about my goals. I couldn’t believe it founding out how many people helped my pictures for!
I started sharing all the photos I liked and I didn’t like. Great was my surprise when I’d seen how many persons had been watching them, I mean, pictures I didn’t like. Now I understand there are no right or wrong things in our world, there are people who like or don’t like them, like in my situation. But we never know who is searching what for. I’m not allowed to make a decision instead of another person and I’m to share everything I have in my album.
A little later I received the invitation from the Local Guides program to take a part in it. I felt proud of myself. You see, I have a family, I live in a wonderful country with the special nature and people around, in a fine town where I have a job I like so much. I’m very proud of my sons who are interested not only in computer games but also have other hobbies with achievements on their own. I have everything to be happy. And I’m happy! But this feeling of admiration of my own achievement I will never forget.
Unfortunately I couldn’t be in the program last year but decided that the next year I should do it. And not only I. I told everyone I knew about this possibility to motivate them to become local guides too. It’s so amazing to help people regardless of where and what nationality you’re, to be a part of something great and delightful.
Most of my friends would have taken a part in the program with pleasure but they couldn’t English. I’ve launched my own YouTube channel with English content to make easy English learning for them. I’m not sure they’ve subscribed it and learned the language but all of sudden I notice that my knowledges have become better. Translating and redoing videos I’ve improved my English, working with content for my projects I’ve learned how to use a multimedia program, to create videos, to convert files and to record screen.
All of these skills are something new for me, something I missed and never did without the Local Guide program.