Keeping up with my volunteering project
Update on my daily activities
What’s up guys! How are you doing? It has been 6 months since I’ve started my volunteering experience so I wanted to update you on my daily activities. I can just say that time flies. The life is back to normal apart from wearing masks in closed spaces (such as bars, shops, supermarkets, etc.). Since 3rd June we can finally travel between the regions. I took advantage of it and I visited local cities, such as Polignano a Mare, Giovinazzo, Molfetta, Monopoli. My weekends are dedicated to beaches or bike rides from Triggiano to Bari. In July I participated on the guided tour of Triggiano organized by association Puglia Mia. Who would say that small city as Triggiano has a such rich history.
June was really busy month as we had lots of preparatory meetings to plan local activities for promotion of Erasmus + and ESC opportunities, such as volunteering abroad, youth exchanges, etc. Thanks to collaboration between EUROSUD and EUROPE DIRECT Barletta, I supported organization of workshop targeted to youth in which I shared my ESC experience. Together with other 15 EUROSUD members I worked on ANG web radio call for proposals. I did researches on the topics for radio podcasts that might be interested for youth as well as I contributed to writing the project, especially the parts about communication and dissemination of the result in English and then others translated it. Also I studied how to create the budget and I did a research on the equipment needed for creating podcasts, etc.
July was dedicated for digital promotional activities considering that many projects abroad in which EUROSUD is partner have been confirmed for autumn and winter period. In this regard, I was are preparing dedicated newsletters and WhatsApp promotional campaigns in order to promote those projects and attract our target audience. Beside this I was also busy in creating posts for Facebook such as funny meme to promote Erasmus + and ESC as well as evaluation of application forms for various youth exchanges abroad and sometimes I even contacted shortlisted candidates in English informing them that they have been selected for the project. I was also explaining to the participants what is covered by Erasmus+, that the travel is reimbursed up to 275 euro in most cases, that the project lasts 7-8 days that all days are organized different educational activities, that they have to be motivated to attend the project. I also gave more information about accommodation and reimbursement process. Having chance to speak in English, not only that I was improving my communication skills but I could also understand if participants’ level of English was good enough for normal conversation as requested by our partners abroad. In last week of July I was completely involved in the organization of the fundraising event #CONTAGIAMOCI DI SOLIDARIETA’ promoted by UNITALSI organization for disabled people, elderly and families in difficulty. The fundraising dinner was held on 31/07/2020 and we had more than 60 people participating. Thanks to this experience I met so many wonderful young people of my age that are so happy despite obviously difficulties they have. The moment I will cherish for the rest of my life.
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My experience with on-arrival training
What to expect?
From 27 to 31 July, I attended a virtual on-arrival training organized by the Italian National Agency for Youth aimed at volunteers currently deployed in Italy thank to the European Solidarity Corps Programme. For the first time, due to the Covid-19 emergency, this training was not organized in presence in Rome but online via ZOOM. To be honest, I did not have high expectations, since one of the fundamental objectives of this activity is to get to know each other among the participating volunteers and make new friends and connections. However, the experience pleasantly surprised me for several reasons and I managed to feel part of a group united with a common goal.
The first day, after the introduction part, we participated in a game in which, using photographs from our childhood, we had to guess who they belonged to. We also have expressed our expectations and insecurities regarding the development of the project. In addition, we created a map with our origins and the path we took to reach the place in Italy where our project was developed.
On the second day, the trainers and facilitators of the activity, who have always been very kind and open to us, explained in depth what the YouthPass consisted of and taught us to identify well the skills that we acquired during our project. By working in a team, we were also able to discuss the duties and obligations that each of the parties involved in the development of volunteering projects must have: the organization that sends us, the one that receives us and ourselves as volunteers.
On the third day we used an online resource to create a comic book about our intercultural experience in Italy. We had to express what feelings and experiences we developed when we were in contact with a country and a culture different from ours, and it was very interesting to observe how each of us lived different experiences based on their culture of origin and their way of see things.
Later on, one of the trainers, explained to us in a very interesting way how to deal with an encounter with a different culture and country, in what he called the “Titanic” effect of cultural shock: if we understand a culture as a large iceberg, of which we only see the tip, it is easy to approach and crash violently. It is therefore necessary to approach slowly, to be able to immerse yourself and understand it in its entirety in order to correctly understand a culture. In the end, the companions shared some of their experiences and emotions by living in isolation in another country.
On the last day, each of us recorded a short video on our ideas for the future and expectations after volunteering. Many of us did not have a clear idea of what we wanted to continue doing, and in this way we feel a little more understood and less alone in our uncertainty.
The trainers also told us about a “mood curve” during volunteering: it is normal to feel lost, alone or isolated sometimes in a different country, particularly on certain dates of the year, such as Christmas, or when there is a language barrier. At other times it can cause an increase in the upward curve, such as exploring the country or finding love, which is very common among volunteers. Finally, the role of the National Agency was explained to us and we discovered many interesting opportunities to continue developing a future, professional or voluntary within the European Union.
In short, the training offered us some intense days full of activities, funny moments and learning, which made it clear that online activities can also be interesting and very productive. And while we all wish we could meet in person, maybe we will have time to do it in the near future.
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Puglia Region cycling secrete
True or false?
Before letting you see some pictures from my trip, here are my top 3 that makes Puglia a perfect choice for your biking trips:
- Puglia is a cyclist’s paradise, flat with many local agricultural roads perfect for leisurely biking.
- Puglia has more sunny days than any other region in Italy. So, cycling in late autumn or early spring is pretty usual.
- Puglia is the world’s leading producer of olive oil. There are more than 50,000,000 olive trees in the region! Many roads are passing right in the middle of the olive fields which make is fantastic scenery for your trips.
My adventure started with visiting Alberobello, the UNESCO World Heritage site since 1996. Speaking to others about Puglia, I realized that one of the first things they’re likely to mention are the trulli. These curious conical-roofed whitewashed structures, clustered in pockets of Puglia like wild fungi, are an icon of the region. In fact, this peaceful part of southern Italy is the only place they have ever existed. So, Alberobello was a place to visit!!!
Next stop Figazzano! Starting from the Figazzano, it is possible to bike on the first section of the Water Cycle Route or also known as the Aqueduct Cycling Route. The route finishes in Ulmo pine forest, 17 km further. This route is built on the service road that runs along the Main Canal of the Apulian Aqueduct, one of the largest aqueduct works in the world, one hundred years after its construction. And this makes it unique in Europe!
Check out some of the photos!
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May I tell you something?
Italy eases coronavirus restrictions after two month lockdown…
Italy was the first European country to have a serious outbreak of COVID-19. There have been more than 28,000 deaths in the country and 210,000 people have tested positive for coronavirus. But the country has seen a decrease in the daily death toll and now Italy is entering in “phase 2” of its lockdown, as companies reopen with social distancing measures in place. Whooo!!! I am so happy that life is getting back to “normal” and that I can finally go out with a bike on the seaside.
I would be lying if I would say that this period was not difficult and challenging. I was thinking to quit everything and go back, not once but few times. I was feeling very down and tired of this situation of uncertainty. Than the measures started to loosen and it seems like I got a new energy. It was so strange to be back again among the people for the first couple of times and when I could I was trying to avoid it. Luckily, the building where I live has a rooftop where I can enjoy the sunsets and moments for reflection.
In May I was working mainly on the creation and design of NGOs promotional materials. I learned how to prepare a leaflet, newsletter and gadgets in CANVA (online software for editing). I was also reviewing texts, managing social media channels and updating EUROSUD’s website. The latter was not that easy, as I never before worked in WordPress, so besides support of my task-related mentor Adriano I also had to watch various YouTube tutorials on how to use WordPress. Adriano, Marco and I decided to carry out local promotional campaign/giveaways to attract new members in association. The campaign lasted for more than 3 weeks and 15 new members joined association, while more than 100 new members joined EUROSUD’s Facebook group. Moreover, 5 volunteers were gifted with EUROSUD welcome pack containing various gadgets on which I was also working. Guys, if you are reading this, I hope you are enjoying it. How about you? Are you member of any local NGO? Did you win something on giveaways? Let me know!
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Celebrating Easter
Italy vs. Croatia
Hi guys! Since we are in the Holy Week and the shops are full of big chocolate eggs I decided to find out more about Italian Easter tradition and to share with you some interesting facts I discovered. If you’re lucky enough to be in Italy for Easter, like I am due to COVID-19, you won’t see the famous bunny or go for an Easter egg hunt. But Easter in Italy is a huge holiday, second only to Christmas in its importance for Italians.
The Italian Easter, or Pasqua, celebration is a weekend-long affair that begins with solemn masses on Good Friday and extends to the Monday after Easter, La Pasquetta which means “Little Easter”. Towns and cities throughout Italy hold unique religious parades and celebrations which have been cancelled this year due to pandemic. On Easter Sunday, Italians join with friends and family over traditional foods and desserts. Two traditional desserts Italians enjoy during Easter celebrations are Easter eggs, le uova di Pasqua, and colomba di Pasqua, a dove-shaped sponge cake.
It was the huge chocolate eggs that caused the most astonishment while I was passing through the supermarkets. I called Marco and I asked him about this weird tradition. He explained me that one of the biggest signs of Easter throughout Italy is the presence of the Easter egg, l’uovo di Pasqua, a hollow chocolate egg wrapped in bright, elaborately decorated and colorful foil with surprise gifts or toys inside. Moreover, I learnt that sizes and prize of eggs can range from small sized eggs with candy or small trinkets for children to customized eggs with larger, personalized gifts inside such as car keys or engagement rings.
Easter Monday, La Pasquetta, sees families pack up the leftovers from the Easter feast into picnic baskets and head off to parks, beaches, vineyards and roadside meadows to enjoy the spring sunshine and warm breezes.
As well as in Italy, food is also a huge deal during Easter in Croatia, especially Easter breakfast which you will find is enormous and packed with all manner of delicious treats. The night before the Easter, people attend a late night Mass service and the foods are taken in their baskets, and they receive a blessing from the priest, ready to be eaten on the Easter Sunday morning.
While Italians have their big chocolate Easter egg, in Croatia there are “pisanice” hard-boiled eggs which have been brightly decorated and or painted in different regional styles. One thing that happens with the painted eggs is a game of “egg tapping”. Everyone is given an egg, and you take turns tapping the top of your egg against the tops of the egg to the person next to you. Then whoever’s egg remains unbroken or un-cracked, wins! Easy.
Despite uncertainties, I hope you will enjoy Easter celebration. Let me know of any other Italian Easter traditions or food that I don’t know.
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Keeping up with my volunteering project
3-month update on my daily activities
What’s up guys! How are you doing? It has been 3 months since I’ve started my volunteering experience so I wanted to update you on my daily activities. The first month of my service passed really fast. The activities that were the most significant for me in February were supporting organization in developing local workshops in which among the others I also had an opportunity to speak about my experience. For example I visited city Laterza and Ginosa on 21st February with other EUROSUD members to talk about Erasmus+ opportunities for young people in local high school. I gave contribution in organizing events (buying drinks and snacks, bringing flipchart, checking computers and PowerPoint’s, preparing presentations, etc.) for event that was planned for 28th February but it was cancelled because the President of the Region Puglia forbid the public gatherings.
The arrival and rapid spread of the Covid-19 in Italy and the need to contain the infection has led to the paralysis of all public and private activities, the obligation for citizens to strictly stay in their homes and the application of many restrictive rules for people. At the beginning there was a lot of confusion in the media so I was continuing my experience as planned. To be honest I did not take it so seriously because I thought it was just a stronger flu. Than from one day to another, the whole country was in quarantine. There was a possibility to go back home, but it was too complicated, too expensive and too risky as the flights and busses were cancelled in the last moments. So I just decided to not complicate the things and go with a flow. The decision to stay in Triggiano had more sense and doing volunteering projects in these circumstances was even more appreciated.
With COVID-19 also my daily activities had been reviewed. I had Skype meeting with Adriano and Marco and we discussed to join the local project organized by CARITAS and Municipality of Triggiano. My duties were to go to supermarket with other local volunteers also from other organizations and buy groceries for old people and then deliver that to them. I supported local volunteers to deliver these supplies to homes of old people and those in need. In the most cases the car of Adriano was full of pasta, toilet paper, tomato salsa, salt, oil, flour. I was feeling very happy and proud of myself to be able to give my contribution in another country. Another benefit of this volunteering experience was the fact that we could stay outside while the most people were closed in the house which for sure this helped me keep the positive spirit. Unfortunately, I couldn’t document those moments because of the strict privacy rules but I couldn’t ever imagine how people would be so happy seeing us and grateful for our small act of solidarity like it was food delivery.
In April, I was becoming tired of the COVID-19 situation. Living in uncertainty and being in lockdown for more than a month it was not easy. The April was a roller coaster of emotions. I was passing from the moments of sadness and demotivation to the moments of joy, happiness, hope and pride. I celebrated Easter for the first time far away from my family with my flat mates Antonio and Sofia. In April, I continued to occasionally buy and deliver grocery for old people but my focus was in supporting organization in writing Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps projects for April deadline that was moved to 7th May due to COVID-19. With this in regard, my days were passing between studying guides, participation in Skype meetings with Adriano, Marco and Mustafa, studying application forms, looking for partners on Facebook, answering emails, writing some part of application forms that were later reviewed by Marco and Adriano and with their help improved. I was working on one ESC project proposal to host volunteers in ASUNIBA. Project foresees that 2 volunteers come to Bari (one from Croatia and one from Ukraine) to help organization in their everyday task such as teach migrants how to use PC and Word, Excel, Power point, how to write CV, orientation of foreign students in University, organizing activities with students between migrants and foreign students and much more. Fingers crossed we get it financed.
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How To Pass Time During Quarantine?
Hi guys! How are you? This is the 3rd week of lockdown here in Italy. The situation is very serious but for now I am feeling good physically and mentally. Majority of people is getting out only when it is necessary. In order to keep the spirit and positive attitude in the last days people were singing and dancing on their balconies. I can only say WOW! Living those moments and seeing the smiles on people’s faces despite the difficult situation was one-of-a- kind experience and it gave me hope that everything will get better soon.
The whole world is facing the corona virus outbreak right now. The whole nations are under lockdown as per the government rules. There is a lot of anxiety and panic around the people at this time but we need to remain calm and take this situation positively. It can get really exhausting and tiring to kill time at home during this phase so I decided to share with you some advices on how to keep yourself active and productive.
For many, including myself, this lockdown period has given us more time on our hands than we’ve ever had. This free time presents us with opportunities to do things which we’ve always wanted to do or like to do more of depending on our individual circumstances. I think it makes sense for us to be productive with this time and do things that are meaningful to us. So, here are my top activities that you can do while you’re at home or in quarantine.
- KEEP IN TOUCH WITH YOUR LOVED ONES
We’re isolated from the people we usually spend time with but we can be connected with them via more means more than ever before. Make time to catch-up and have a virtual drink with your friends and family.
- CATCH UP ON YOUR SLEEP
Those early mornings and late nights that make up our usual routines sometimes take their toll on us. This is the time to ensure we are getting 8 hours sleep per night and we’ll feel invigorated because of it.
- WATCH A DOCUMENTARY SERIES or READ BOOKS
We have that opportunity now! Choose what do you like the most. While books exercise the brain, build our vocabularies and enhance the imagination, watching TV or streaming services is a potential trap. Whilst watching a stimulating TV series passes time, it can do so in an unproductive manner and you might find yourself binge-watching programmes that won’t really help you in any way, other than waste the free time you have. Thus, I’d suggest that, alongside your normal TV watching habits, invest time in watching documentaries and learn about your favorite subjects.
- LEARN A NEW SKILL
Building up your qualifications by enrolling in courses can also be accompanied by learning new skills. This could be learning the chess rules, how to cook or how to play an instrument. There is a lot of choice. Practicing an instrument I think can be good fun, and it’s also an inventive way to keep yourself entertained and constantly learning. Learning to cook has been on everyone’s New Year resolution list since forever. Now is the time to watch some food videos or shows that inspire you to learn cooking and make the best out it.
- ENROL ON A FREE COURSE
Enrolling on a course and successfully passing tests and assignments will help build up your knowledge-base as well as your CV. The Coursera or Open University, for example, offer a wide range of courses for anyone to enroll for free and start learning from their catalogue of courses from history and the arts to society, politics and science.
- VOLUNTEER
Volunteering might be the most productive and rewarding route for you in this period. With the restrictions currently in place, you might feel that your options are limited. Perhaps so but this doesn’t mean, however, that there aren’t any volunteering opportunities available to you. In my case, I joined the local initiate “Spesa Solidare” and I am doing the grocery shop, collect food and helping it to deliver it to the elderly, people in need or people in risk groups.
What about you? How do you spend your days in quarantine? Have you heard or joined any interesting volunteering project? Let me know.
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#WeareinPUGLIA
Row fish and Balconata sul Mare
Hi everyone! In today’s post I will share with you my some of the highlights of this charming region. For the most people Italy is Rome, Milan, Naples, Bologna and Tuscany and frankly not that long time ago I was among this group as well. Visiting all these cities was on my ESC TO DO list but I assure you Puglia Region is undiscovered pearl and has so much to offer.
Considering that I’ll be staying in Italy for a year and that I arrived in early February, I decided to visit the most famous cities in late spring, summer and early autumn so as to take the most out of the city breaks. So this meant only one thing! The first weekends were reserved to explore local cities. My dear Italian colleagues from EUROSUD made a list of places to visit in Puglia. So here goes some of the postcards and few interesting facts about Bari and Polignano a Mare.
If you say Puglia, you say sea. The brackish scent, the long beaches, aquamarine sea, limestone cliffs trace the border between land and sea, the flavor of the freshly curled octopus, the split hairy mussel….When you arrive in the heel of Italy, whether you like it or not, you are subjected to the call of the sea and an ancestral instinct leads to the search for raw food. The tradition of raw seafood is not only a must for anyone passing through these areas, but it is also and above all the identity of the territory. Coming from the parts of Croatia where fish is not quite often on the menu, eating row food was unthinkable but I had to give a try.
So I went in the heart of Bari, at Molo S. Nicola. Despite the numerous restaurants where you can eat row fish, nothing can be compared to the buzz and thrill of the port of Bari. The shouting of the people, the call of the fishermen, the noise of the knives opening the mussels, cleaning octopuses and cuttlefish, improvised stalls in the port, with fresh fish just unloaded from the wooden boats, which can be purchased – already opened and cut – in plastic plates , € 5 each, and enjoy directly there, leaning against a table. Tradition is to accompany the meal with a cold local Peroni beer from the nearby bar.
The next weekend I headed to Polignano a Mare. Sitting just thirty minutes away by train from Bari, Polignano a Mare has proven to be a destination in its own right. The local tour guide told me that the image of Cala Porto forever changed the course of the region’s tourism. View from the Balconata sul Mare remains one of the most beautiful, and certainly the most iconic I encountered so far. In the afternoon I visit the Pino Pascali Foundation, the only contemporary art museum in Puglia Region housed in a spectacular building overlooking the sea. The museum is created to honour one of Italy’s leading 20th century artists. Polignano, you are just incredibly charming! The old town is amazing and the food is delicious. Great place for a one day trip.
Even for people who have lived there their whole life, Puglia remains a place they fall in love with over and over again. Whatever you know about this enchanting region, its amazing landscapes and its lifestyle will always be a dream like no other and filled with many places to discover.
What am I actually doing in Italy?
Brief introduction to my volunteering project
In the first post I explained how I arrived to Italy and now it is time to let you know what I am going to do in the next 12 months. So, let’s start. My project is titled “Bright Future” and it is a long-term volunteering project financed by European Solidarity Corps Programme though Italian National Agency for Youth. I am volunteering in Triggiano at the small youth information center and local co-working space in Bari at University of Aldo Moro.
The long term aim of this project is to create a strong international presence and to increase the awareness of European opportunities for youngsters, in the area of Triggiano and surrounding cities. Further, thanks to this project and with my support we want to create a new habit in Triggiano of having international volunteers and influencing attitudes of youngsters on the benefits of the volunteering. This way the local community will also benefit from this project, by becoming more and more international and intercultural, more and more tolerant and welcoming.
My activities have been designed in order to follow learning-by-doing approach in the frame of non-formal education. When reviewing the weekly schedule with my task related mentor, we agreed to give the priority to the activities in which I felt the most comfortable in order to have a meaningful experience while leading them. Here below you can find out more about my main volunteering activities that I will be doing in the upcoming months.
- Learning Italian language, through the Online Linguistic Platform and the classes in local school;
- Support in daily activities of local Youth Center by assisting the experienced operators in developing the strategies and helping the young people approaching it. I will be also organizing the cultural and intercultural activities and meetings with young people.
- Support EUROSUD and local organizations in developing European projects – More experienced EUROSUD members will introduce me to the basics of the Project Management and how to look for international partners in SALTO YOUTH platform. After that, I will be able to fully contribute to the project designing, writing and implementation.
- Management of social media channels with an aim to increase NGOs’ visibility and to make more people aware of the opportunities EU is offering to them.
- Support in video editing and creation of short videos for EUROSUD’s YouTube channels;
- Spreading ERASMUS+ info by visiting local schools and University to spread the knowledge about the Erasmus+ programme and the mobility opportunities offered by the European Union.
Apart of these main activities, I will have also opportunity to work on my personal project. Let me know how you like it. Will you manage to stop by in local youth center or you will follow me on social media.
Bel Paese e la Dolce vita!
My first days as an ESC volunteer in Bari, Italy!
Hi everyone, in this blog I would like to share with you my first impressions as ESC volunteer in Puglia Region. So first of all let me introduce myself. My name is Kristijan and I am coming from Croatia but currently living in Italy, Triggiano-Bari.
I always wanted to live abroad, but I never actually got brave enough to do this huge step until friend of mine did not introduced me with European Solidarity Corps Programme and I am very grateful for her because she made me know this opportunity.
Since I am 30 years old, it was now or never situation and I realized I cannot let this opportunity escape. After detailed research, I became aware that being part of such a huge European Programme, will give me much needed security. I wanted to go to Italy to learn the new language and to get to know the famous Italian dolce vita. I was so lucky, because all my desires became true! I found perfect ESC project and I prepared my motivation letter. When I applied for my ESC project at EUROSUD I didn’t really know what to expect. And yet, two months later I was already packing my suitcase.
Moving abroad without knowing the language, the people and the city is always a bit frightening and I have to admit that I was nervous before departure but at the same time excited for this new adventure. As soon as I arrived to Bari and EUROSUD’s local volunteers kindly picked me up and all my fears disappeared. I knew I was going to be in good hands and after my first weeks in this beautiful city, even though is still winter here, I have to say that I was right…
On the first night Marco took me to my new home where I met my flat mates. The welcome has been extraordinary as I was met with joy and curiosity. After meeting with everybody I finally went to sleep to get the energy back for my first days in Italy.
The first week of my volunteering experience was really intensive. On very first day at the office I met with Adriano, project responsible and we went through a lot of bureaucratic things that had to be done. The other days were all about getting to know each other. I also talked to my mentor in order to better analyze how my contribution and expectations could meet the project needs. Then, I got to know better the organization’s space and daily activities, its lovely volunteers and most important the project and upcoming activities that will be implemented. The hosts have been very open and enthusiastic about my ideas for some projects that I would like to develop and I appreciated it a lot. Knowing that I am part of a team that has the aim of developing projects together was definitely a good way to start my ESC!
Stay tuned for more, as I will try to update you regularly on my activities.
