Hello everyone! My name is Abdelkrim, I'm 26 years old and I'm from Algeria. From a very young age, I've always cultivated a passion for volunteering: I started in my country with the scouts and various local projects, driven by a strong desire to be an active and impactful citizen. Over time, however, I've grown increasingly interested in crossing national borders and exploring new horizons.
The decision to volunteer abroad wasn't born out of a simple desire to travel. Before leaving, I was going through a truly difficult personal time; the daily pressures were wearing me down, and I felt a deep need to unplug from that downward spiral by testing myself in a completely new context. The European Solidarity Corps was the perfect answer: an opportunity that allowed me to recharge my batteries, build human bridges, and acquire life skills that changed my perspective.
This is how I arrived in Sant'Agata di Militello, a splendid town in Sicily, where I spent five extraordinary months collaborating with the Diocesan Caritas of Patti, thanks to the coordination of InformaGiovaniDuring this journey, I've worked alongside the staff and a wonderful international team in their daily humanitarian and community activities. The best moments? Without a doubt, the sharing: cooking together, chatting, and tasting the traditional dishes brought by volunteers from all over Europe and beyond. The local community welcomed me like a true family, supporting me every step of the way.
Of course, there were challenges. The biggest was definitely the language barrier! People here speak very quickly and with a Sicilian accent, which was a real puzzle for me, as I was trying to learn standard Italian. But the generosity of the locals overcame every obstacle: with great patience, they simplified terms and spoke slowly to help me, quickly helping me overcome my fear of making mistakes.
Now that this journey is coming to an end, I can say that theESC It's not just a service offered to others, but a genuine journey of healing, of rediscovering oneself and one's hidden talents. You return home stronger, more resilient, and more open to the world, armed with a wealth of friendships and warm memories that will illuminate your path forever.
Project 2024-2-IT03-ESC51-VTJ-000268869