Ciao a tuttɜ!!
My name is Juliette and I have spent the last 4 months volunteering with CESIE.
First of all, I think as most people, I fell in love with every layer of Palermo I got to discover. Of course its beauty struck me – the architecture, the seaside and the mountains around – but mainly it was how alive this city is, both culturally and politically. I loved walking around and stumble on an old church while going to my favorites parks. Even when Quattro Canti was full of people, it never lost its charm. Getting to know the surroundings and hidden spots over the months was even more satisfying. I am also very grateful to have been able to visit parts of Sicily on my days off. I am glad I got the chance to participate to many events with organizations such as EPYC, Maldusa, Per Esempio, Ragazzi BayeFall a Palermo or Comunità Palestinese Palermo.
Then, I am grateful for all the people I got to meet during this wonderful time. Giulia was the first person I met, and she turned out to be a really good mentor and even greater company. There was a lot of moving in and out in the apartment, and every month felt like a different era. I became close with people I didn’t expect to, and loved the intergenerational and intercultural dynamics in the flat. We ended up doing everything together, and goodbyes were always heartbreaking. I am also grateful that one of the previous volunteers introduced me to her friends, who became mine as well. In the end, I am really glad I had a great circle of friends I could go the beach with and rely on.
During my experience, I volunteered with CESIE, supporting several local centres, and I learned a lot from each of them. I gained experience at Astalli and found the organisation very useful. I also carried out other activities in the field of promoting sustainable and organic agriculture. I became fond of the people who worked there and enjoyed all the small tasks they assigned me. I also supported the Ubuntu solidarity nursery. It was a very challenging experience for various reasons, but I loved the children and was very sorry to leave them.
To summarize, I am very thankful of everything I got to experience, and I will hold on to these memories forever!!
Juliette Selex
ESC volunteer
CESIE ETS – Youth Unit
