I am Fanny, a 22-year-old French woman who just spent 2 months in Palermo thanks to the European Solidarity Corps and CESIE.
My arrival in Palermo went very well; my mentor and tutor were there for me, and the other volunteers, who have become friends, were very kind and welcoming to me.
During the first few days, I had time to explore Palermo, and I immediately fell in love with it. I love the city’s dynamics, the Palermitans, the cuisine, its secrets and legends. Palermo is a magnificent city full of surprises.
Then I did my volunteer work supporting several different centres, for example the Ubuntu center, where I took care of childrens, and Ciauli, an agricultural cooperative.
At Ubuntu, my job was to take care of the children, engage in activities with them, serve lunch, and manage nap time. The children were welcoming and cute right from the start. I was touched to see that the children could have fun with very little and were happy in their center, which had limited resources but did a lot for them.
The Ciauli cooperative was a highlight for me. It is managed by five people who are passionate about what they do, full of good values, and who give a lot to the community. At this cooperative, I mainly handled social media, creating videos and posters for events. I will never thank Gianni, Davide, Ninni, Nicoletta, and Alessandro enough for their warm welcome, kindness, and sharing. If you pass through Palermo, go see them at Ciauli; you will be very well received, and they sell lots of good things!
I had no expectations for this experience; I just wanted to live this experience once in my life, and I have no regrets. This volunteering lasted two months and is one of the most enriching moments of my life. I fell in love with Sicily, Palermo, its inhabitants, the encounters, and the moments I lived.
I leave with my heart filled with memories and love.
I leave a part of myself in Palermo, but there will always be a part of Palermo in me.
All I can wish for you is to live an experience like this, so apply to the ESC, and you won’t be disappointed.
Thank you to everyone who made my experience magical, thank you Cesie (thanks Giulia and Cinzia), thank you Ciauli and Ubuntu, thank you roommates, and especially thank you to Palermo.
This is not a goodbye, it’s a see you soon, so see you soon Palermo <3
Fanny Denuault
ESC volunteer
Youth Unit
