First month in Sagunto
As I sit here trying to reminisce about my first month here in Sagunto, I’m overwhelmed by the realisation that thirty days went by so quickly, but simultaneously my first day here seems so long ago. Where should I start?
When I applied for this project I was yearning for an opportunity to change some aspects of my life and to get out of the routine which I constructed and that made me feel entrapped. Learning about the European Solidarity Corps was a breath of fresh air, but I didn’t want to apply to every project I laid my eyes on. My desire was to change the circumstances in which I was living, but I didn’t want that to be the only goal that would guide my choice. I’ve read a lot about volunteering and I learnt that it can be far more dangerous than useful when it’s done for the wrong reasons, such as a boosting one’s ego and self fulfilment tendencies. I knew that working for ESC would be of help for me, but I wanted to be of, at least, as much help to it. For a couple of months I researched various projects; I was looking for something that would feel meaningful to me and that I would be able to give my full and deep contribution to, based on my previous experiences and my natural inclinations. I have worked with children and I think that having a small part in shaping a young mind, hopefully for the better, is one of the most powerful and profound impacts that one could have on the world. Based on my previous experience I thought that a project involved in the educational field could be the best choice for me. When I stumbled upon this opportunity it truly felt to good to be true. A youth center focused on informal education in a coastal Spanish city is the furthest combination of circumstances from what I was used to. Now that I’m here I couldn’t imagine myself anywhere else.
My first day here was filled with intese and contrasting feelings: I was very emotional at the airport and strangely numb when I landed in Valencia, I was excited about the new beginning and scared of letting go of my comfort zone to dive into the unknown, I wanted to explore the new city and also sit on the couch watching my favourite tv show. In the end I went for a walk on the beach and the first thing I noticed was the copious amount of ramps towards the beach aimed at people with disabilities. I thought “Wow, this city really cares about its people!”. Slowly I started noticing stickers on light poles, posters on boards, flags hanging off of windows, all meant to send a message of inclusivity and openness towards minorities and I felt safe knowing that I’m in a country full of people who think this way. Is everything perfect? Of course not, but, compared to what I’m used to, it’s a huge step forward and I can’t wait to find out more. As someone who can turn the lightest of conversations into a moral debate, whose values are rooted in defence of basic human rights I feel at peace here.
I rambled quite a lot, but I haven’t said much about my work here as a volunteer. To be honest, the first month was pretty calm for me, the activities with children didn’t start until recently and the people at the youth center worked on programming the plan for the following year. In addition to that, I don’t speak Spanish nor Valencian (yet) so trying to communicate clearly is quite a challenge, especially with young kids, but I am working on that, as a matter of fact I just started attending the Spanish course at the adult school, so far it’s been pretty good. As for the people I’m working with at the youth center I can tell that everyone has the same goal, the same level of care and the same, strong desire to do the best for the community and the children. I’ve never felt so welcomed in a group of strangers, with whom I barely communicate, but I know we’re all linked by the dedication and the commitment to build something meaningful for the town, lead by kindness and respect for others.
