Hello, everyone! I have recently returned from a two-month ESC volunteer project in Palermo, Italy. Reflecting on it now, I can say with confidence that it was one of the best adventures of my life!
In Palermo, together with other volunteers (from 7 different countries!), I carried out volunteering activities with migrant children and people with disabilities. Every day I helped and worked directly with children or adults, helped them with various activities and was open to different challenges!
This project has made me a more patient, mentally stable and open-minded person. My soft skills were developing every day: I learned to communicate with people from different social and ethnic groups and was constantly in an atmosphere of intercultural dialogue. In addition, living together with volunteers from different countries is an unforgettable experience of sharing cultural heritage. In a short period of time, you become a family where everyone can be heard and supported. This factor is very important when you go abroad alone.
I consider my volunteer experience to be truly unique, because it also improved my flexibility: one day you teach a child to take his first steps, and the next day you help a person tie his shoes. On the third day, you watch cartoons in Italian (which, by the way, is a great way to learn a new language), and on the fourth day, you celebrate the birthday of a formerly unknown, but now so close to you, visitor to the center. On the last day of the week, you open the door of a familiar kindergarten and find yourself in children’s arms. It is the moment you feel that you have made the best choice: in the right place and at the right time. All people, without exception, need love – sincere, warm, and unconditional. And if you feel that you can give it to them, don’t think about the decision to participate in ESC for too long.
I am very grateful to the CESIE and Phoenix organizations for their constant support and help. You made my experience safe, comfortable, interesting and unforgettable!
Future volunteers, prepare yourself for the best, because everything will be even better than you can imagine! Be open to new things, don’t be afraid of challenges on your way, and go ahead – make this world a kinder place!
Anna Lavreniuk
Volunteer ESC – Sharing solidarity
Youth Unit
