My name is Marina, I'm 28 years old and I'm from Alicante/Valencia, Spain. I volunteered with the European Solidarity Corps, funded by the European Union, from September 2025 to January 2026, although it actually all started a few months earlier, in March 2025. That's when I saw a training course by HRYO (Human Rights Youth Organization) on permaculture as a tool for social intervention in Palermo and thought: why not?
I've always been passionate about permaculture, and as a psychologist, the idea of ​​combining these two worlds seemed like an incredibly enriching combination, both personally and professionally. That's how I fell in love with Palermo, the Terra Franca project, and, of course, the Sicilians. Their way of life, their way of relating, and their understanding of community. Months later, I clearly knew I wanted to return and delve deeper.and this path, so I decided to come back to undertake my experience as a volunteer at HRYO, with the support of InformaGiovani.

Palermo is a wonderful city best discovered with curious eyes and without haste. There's always an unexpected corner that takes you by surprise, a hidden square, or an impromptu conversation. It's a vibrant city with a strong sense of community, where the streets are filled with art, live music, dance, and a constant cultural expression. All this in an environment where people are open, helpful, and extremely welcoming, making you feel part of the place from the very first moment. 

As for my volunteer work, most of my work took place at Terra Franca, a HRYO project located on a plot of land on the outskirts of Palermo. This space has a special value.and very special symbolic value, as it was confiscated from the Mafia many years ago and is now used for social, educational and community purposes.

There, we carried out various tasks related to permaculture and social intervention. One of the largest and most satisfying projects was building the floor of one of the space's structures, made of wood and carefully leveled with stones and soil. It was physical work, but also very rewarding, because you saw how something gradually took shape thanks to collective effort.

In the same space, we also built wooden furniture (such as tables, a swing, a tub, and benches) and stone paths that helped beautify the grounds and make them more accessible. Every small detail contributed to creating a more welcoming and functional place for all the people who visited.

Beyond that, there were more routine but equally important tasks, like feeding the chickens and cleaning their space, planting and harvesting herbs, or tending the vegetable garden. These activities helped me reconnect with the rhythms of nature and appreciate the importance of daily, consistent care.

My favorite place was, without a doubt, the beekeeping area, the apiary. There, we had the opportunity to learn firsthand about the fascinating lives of these tiny creatures, so essential to the balance of the environment. It was a very special experience that further awakened my ecological awareness.

HRYO also launched other community-building projects, in which I was fortunate enough to participate. These included making clay candle holders decorated with Terra Franca leaves and flowers, a creative and environmentally friendly activity; and the crochet club, where we met weekly to learn how to crochet, chat, share experiences, and strengthen our bonds.

I could spend hours writing about why I'd recommend volunteering to any restless person who wants to explore the world, other cultures, different people, and experience unique and unforgettable moments. But there are some things that can't be fully explained in words: you have to experience them. I can only say that if you pluck up the courage, you certainly won't regret it.