From Europe to Jesi

Ciao, Hola and Hi!  I’m Río Rojas Mayorga and it's been 3 months since I'm an ESC volunteer here in Caritas Jesina. Let me update you briefly about my experience! The arrival and first week in Caritas was a mix of emotions between the excitement to start and the confusion of all the new people and information we were bombarded with. At first we didn't have a schedule and it was a little bit messy but, I'm glad I shared so much time with my project partner; it was nice having someone in the same situation. First month Once the schedule was set, we had to adjust not only to the work but also to the people we shared the time with. As all the services are done with local people, at first it was difficult the communication as I had no words in Italian, but I was gladly surprised to find out my will of talking and sharing was lovely appreciated and corresponded, I found out the language barrier was a challenge but i wasn’t fighting it alone.  My birthday arrived eventually an...

Ciao, Hola and Hi! I’m Río Rojas Mayorga, one of the two volunteers here at Caritas Jesi in October 2024. I’m from Madrid, Spain, and in this first blog, I will share my life before volunteering and how I discovered the ESC. The next one should be about my life here. I would like to start by providing some context about how I got to know the ESC by talking about my life in Majadahonda, Madrid. After the quarantine, my family and I moved from Aluche (in south-central Madrid) to Majadahonda (on the western outskirts) due to financial struggles, which was a significant change for us. The first year felt lonely for my sister and me. During that time, I began studying in the afternoons at the youth centre near my home, where I searched about local volunteering opportunities and eventually discovered international volunteering. However, I was still under 18 and thought I had to prioritise my formal studies. Then, in November 2022, I met someone who transformed my life; it all began with a si...

🌟 Reflecting on May 🌟 After a great stared in April and returning from a long trip to Naples and Rome we decided to enjoy a more relaxed side of Jesi. Here are some of the things we did in May.  On Arrival training May started with a 5 days training in Rome. This training was organized by the Italian National Agency. During this training, we shared our volunteering experiences with others from all over Europe who are currently doing their volunteering experiences in Italy. We learned about our duties and rights as volunteers. As well as other opportunities after this experience.  Exploring Rome Exploring Rome is a captivating journey through history, culture, and cuisine. As Italy's capital and one of the most historically rich cities in the world. Our first point of the trip was Colosseum meaning one of the most iconic structures in the world, the Colosseum is an ancient amphitheater that once hosted gladiatorial games and public spectacles. The next stop was Roman Forum. T...

🌟 Reflecting on April 🌟 April was our first month here at Caritas Jesi it was an incredible month. Here are some of the highlights that made it truly memorable: Day trip to Loreto We started our journey in Loreto with servizio civile meeting where we integrated with other young people. Later we discovered the city starting with Basilica of the Holy House. It is basically the central attraction. It’s believed that is the house where the Virgin Mary lived and where the Annunciation took place. We also explored the charming streets, local shops, and traditional Italian cafes. The town offers a serene atmosphere with beautiful views of the surrounding countryside and the Adriatic Sea. We liked the vibes. Palestinian Dinner Caritas organized a fundraising dinner for Palestine. We were invited to help the staff preparations before the start of the dinner. All the food was traditional Palestinian food made by Italian-Palestinian women.  During the dinner, people expressed their solidari...

Something that surprised us about Jesi is that regardless of being a small place it's certainly alive. Most of what you may be looking for is present in Jesi. In this post, we will present some of our favorite places. The Library/ Signoria Palace ( Google Maps ) One of the best ways for you to get involved when you arrive somewhere new is by visiting the library- in our opinion, it usually corresponds well to what the city is. In this case, it is small, organized, with some diversity of genres, a very small selection of foreign language books, and packed. The  same words can be used to describe Jesi. Neither way don't forget to get the password for the wi-fi at the tourism office if you plan on doing some work. Gara  ( Google Maps ) If you love coffee you will certainly love Gara. Even tho their pastries may be a little overpriced coming from a bigger city like Lisbon it is surprising having such a great cappuccino for just 1,50€. The staff is super gentle and the atmosphere ...

  Empowerment Through Service Who are we?  My name is Karolina and I am Polish. I am 26 years old and I have completed my Master's degree in Food Technology. I decided that the current time is best to use it for self-fulfillment and helping others. My name is Maria and I am from Portugal. I am 22 years old and I have a bachelors degree in Cultural and Artistic. I decided to take one year break before going back to my studies and star my masters. What does it mean to be volunteer for us and how is it going so far? Volunteering is more than just lending a helping hand; it’s an act of empowerment. It’s about giving individuals the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others, to be a force for positive change in the community. Whether it’s preparing meals for the ones in need, serving at in kitchen, or organizing the clothing collections, volunteering encourages people to be a force of compassion and kindness. In the kitchen we process food. Moreover, we help in pre...