Hi! I'm Noemi, I'm 19 years old and I'm from Marsala, Sicily.
In July 2024, I participated in a volunteering project in Badalona, Spain, with the association La Rotllana, which develops social and cultural projects for young people. I spent a month immersed in activities aimed at children and young people in the area, thanks to a volunteering initiative of the European Solidarity Corps.
I chose to participate in this project to have the opportunity to grow and compare myself
with people of different nationalities, acquire new skills and contribute to a large-scale project
social impact.
The goal was to be part of a collective experience and, at the same time, improve my skills.
in working with young people and creating intercultural links.
There were difficulties, especially at the beginning, when I had to adapt to the language and the local culture, sometimes I felt frustrated because I couldn't express myself as I wanted in Spanish. During the project, I had the opportunity to support educational and recreational activities with children and young people, especially within the program "Summer in the Square".
Every day we organized games, creative workshops and sports activities that promoted social inclusion and non-formal education. One of the most significant aspects was working side by side with other volunteers from different countries such as Poland, Slovenia, France, Spain, Italy and Czech Republic.
Not only did we work together for the benefit of the youth, but we also learned a lot from each other.
Through the service-learning methodology, I was able to observe how these practical activities helped us grow as a group and as individuals.
During our time in Badalona we took part in a European Solidarity Corps Team Volunteering activity, which focused on social inclusion through the creation of safe and fun spaces for young people.
The project aimed to bring out the potential of the boys, encouraging them to become positive reference points for their community.
There were challenges, especially in managing the different languages and cultures within the group. But these difficulties turned out to be learning opportunities: through collaboration and empathy, we managed to build a strong team spirit.
I would definitely recommend this type of activity to others! Volunteering with the European Solidarity Corps is an experience I would recommend to all young people. It allows you to grow, learn, travel and, above all, leave a positive mark on the communities where you carry out your activities. It is an opportunity to discover your own potential and, at the same time, contribute to the well-being of others.