Hello! 

My name is Karolina and I'm 25 years old. I'm half Polish and half Italian. I had the wonderful opportunity to spend a month volunteering in Polia, Calabria, thanks to the organization Kalistratio OdV. When I asked myself, "How can I spend my summer proactively, creatively, and supporting an important project?", this volunteer opportunity presented itself. And it was even more wonderful than I expected. The goal of the project was to become part of the local community and learn to live there.

 

 

One of the tasks we were assigned was to paint the old city stairs. This job stimulated our creativity and teamwork skills. It was also an opportunity to participate in the daily life of the neighborhood. Our neighbors were as excited to meet us as we were. When I arrived in Polia, I found some garden vegetables waiting for me as a welcome gift from the neighbor. So from the first moment I felt welcomed and pampered. Sharing time with these welcoming people was a blessing.

 

Another task we were entrusted with was creating the Kalabria EcoFestival. The organizers gave us complete autonomy and created a space where everyone could express themselves freely. All the volunteers worked with joy, passion, and a shared purpose, without any pressure. During the festival, I was mainly involved in painting, building, cooking, and supervising the workshops. I also learned something about sound engineering, which is one of my passions. Thanks to the fact that I could choose what I wanted to do, I felt confident and satisfied with the results of my work.

 

I love being in a multicultural environment, but sometimes it's challenging. Language barriers can be limiting. Dealing with misunderstandings was difficult. It wasn't a problem, but something that took me out of my comfort zone and pushed me to work on my patience and empathy. It was great fun communicating in three languages ​​and learning new ones.

           

Thanks to this opportunity, I've gained new skills and perspectives. I realize how important it is to remain proactive and willing to share. We live in an age where everything is based on money, where stress and lack of communication isolate us from one another. Organizations like Kalistratio OdV are treasures to be safeguarded, whose values ​​deserve to be replicated. In just one month, I've experienced and learned about inclusivity, different ways of communicating, empathy, teamwork, construction, living in contact with nature, the properties of plants, the minimalist lifestyle, the names of insects, the Calabrian dialect, traditions, culinary recipes—the list goes on and on. I encourage everyone to participate in projects like this. Stepping out of your comfort zone will change your life. I'm grateful for the people I've met, for the sunsets, and the laughter.

Thank you!

Karolina Iosardi