From 15 to 30 April 2024 it took place within the project HeSoESC "Healthy Social Volunteering: ESC for active lifestyles, citizenship and social fairness,”, supported by the program European Solidarity Corps, a group volunteering experience at the Caritas center of Sant'Agata di Militello.

Below you will find the testimonies of the group coordinator and a participant in the activities:

“The April experience involved 14 young people from France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Serbia, Hungary, Slovakia, Ukraine and Austria who supported the activities carried out by the Caritas centre.

Distribution of food for the local parishes, care of the social garden, helping the children of the agricultural institute in harvesting the products, arrangement of the solidarity emporium of Patti and Sant'Agata and renovation of the Caritas premises.

 

 

But in addition to the work done with great passion and commitment, the boys enjoyed exploring Sicily, they discovered its wonders such as the city of Bronte with its delicious pistachios, Etna which, like great adventurers, they were not afraid to face, or, again, the seaside resort of Cefalù, where they treated themselves to a beautiful day of sun and relaxation.

Furthermore, there was no shortage of group activities, they sang and played the guitar all together by the sea, discovering some hidden talents. They all cooked together for “the international dinner“, which was a huge success, and everyone could see the harmony that developed in the group, such that it worked like a perfect cog.

There was no shortage of moments of great emotion when, for example, one of the volunteers organized a treasure hunt for the last evening and the surprise was messages of thanks for each member of the team. During these two weeks the kids became more and more passionate about the activities carried out and completely immersed themselves in the spirit of volunteering, fully understanding what it means to serve and help others. They were weeks full of emotions that we will carry in our hearts forever. The experience we had, the people we met and with whom we formed such a strong bond will never be forgotten.”

Adriana

“Well what can I say, first of all I would like to thank you InformaGiovani for allowing me to participate in this experience that is new to me and to Adriana and all the people from Caritas because without them none of this would have been possible.

Thanks to this group of kids from all over Europe I truly understood the meaning of mutual love, what it means to be a team and last but not least I discovered what finding a family is, without them I wouldn't know what to do;
In itself the Caritas space is truly beautiful and even if you are not Sicilian they make you feel an integral part of the "big crazy family". I was amazed at how in these experiences even if you don't know how to speak English it's not a big problem because you learn it straight away like I did (and it takes a lot to do that)"

 

Emmanuel