ESC Team at Cooperativa One in Italy | Nora, Cecilia, Claudia, Mourchid and Francis Share Their Experience!
The ESC Team project “Team for Healthy Life 2 – T4HL”, financed by the European Solidarity Corps programme and run by Associazione Joint in cooperation with Cooperativa One in Italy, has come to an end!
The overall objective of the project, in accordance with the priorities set for 2021, was to promote well-being and a healthy lifestyle for the volunteers and local communities. It was an opportunity for participants to reclaim a space to socialise in a healthy and safe manner, while engaging in volunteer activities that promote the inclusion of vulnerable groups, health and wellbeing in communities.
Project activities touched on specific themes, in accordance with the host organisation and the needs of the local community:
- nature and outdoor life
- mental health
- health prevention/health promotion
- conscious nutrition
Let’s see what participants have to say about it!
Nora’s Testimonial
Finding direction in life isn’t always easy, especially when the future feels uncertain. During the summer of 2024, I was lost with my life, unsure of what to do next. That’s when I discovered the European Solidarity Corps (ESC), which set me on an unforgettable journey of growth, connection, and self-discovery. I applied to T4HL2 because I’ve always wanted to visit Italy, and after learning Italian for a year, it felt like a great opportunity to improve my language skills. My main expectations were to improve my Italian, open up to new people, and challenge myself by stepping out of my comfort zone. I had never really been out of my country or away from my friends and home for more than a couple of weeks. Thankfully, my expectations were not only met but exceeded. I’ve significantly improved my Italian, being able to understand and have basic conversations. I’ve also grown more comfortable meeting new people and, beyond that, developed deep bonds with the other volunteers very quickly. During the project, I engaged in a variety of activities across different fields. Many of them were things I had never tried before, and while stepping into the unknown was initially scary, it became an exciting part of the experience. I learned so much about myself — especially that traveling and connecting with people from different cultures is what truly makes me happy. I genuinely loved everything about this experience — the project, the Joint Association, the Ostello, the other volunteers, the city, and Italy as a whole. It was without a doubt the best two months of my life. I would definitely recommend this experience to other young people, in fact I think everyone should have the chance to experience something like this at least once in their life. It’s a beautiful opportunity to grow, learn about yourself, and connect with others. The chances of being disappointed are slim because you gain so much — about life, culture, and your own potential.
Cecilia’s Testimonial
Recently, I had the incredible opportunity to participate in a volunteer experience in Crotone, Italy, alongside 17 other dedicated individuals. This unforgettable journey was a blend of personal growth, community engagement, and meaningful service.Over the course of our time in Crotone, we immersed ourselves in a variety of activities aimed at supporting the local community. Our tasks were as diverse as our team, allowing each of us to contribute our unique skills and energy. We engaged in environmental clean-up efforts, helping to preserve the natural beauty of the area. We also worked on social initiatives, such as supporting local organizations and assisting vulnerable groups. Whether it was organizing educational workshops for children, assisting with community events, or lending a hand to local charities, each day brought a new challenge and a fresh sense of purpose. One of the most rewarding aspects of this experience was the strong bond we formed as a group. Coming from different backgrounds and perspectives, we learned from each other and grew together. Collaboration and teamwork were essential, and through this shared effort, we discovered the power of collective action.Beyond the immediate impact on the community, the experience left a lasting mark on each of us. Volunteering in Crotone taught us the value of empathy, patience, and adaptability. It reminded us that even small actions can create meaningful
change. Working with locals also provided us with a deeper understanding of the region’s culture, history, and challenges. This experience was much more than a volunteer project, it was a transformative journey. The connections we made, the skills we developed, and the difference we witnessed in the community all served as powerful reminders of the impact we can have when we come together with a shared purpose. Crotone will always hold a special place in our hearts, and the lessons we learned will continue to inspire us in future endeavors.
Mourchid’s Testimonial
My name is Mourchid ACHAMOU, also known as Bel-Ach, a 28-year-old Yoruba from Benin currently living in France. I’ve always believed that a meaningful life is one that contributes to improving others’ lives. This principle has guided my major life decisions, especially in choosing a career in agronomy and human nutrition. My aim is to help achieve food security and empower less privileged people, particularly in developing countries. To reach this goal, I worked hard to excel academically, gaining admission to one of the most challenging programs in my country and later pursuing further studies at Sorbonne University. As I progressed, I realized that making an impact doesn’t have to wait until after graduation. I embraced the idea of serving others, regardless of my status or position, by participating in community service whenever possible. My journey has been defined by three principles: Learn, Earn, and Return. This mindset led me to volunteer every year, including through the European Solidarity Corps (ESC) program, where I discovered a project in Italy at a crucial time in my life. In 2024, I was selected for a two-month volunteer program in Crotone, Italy. The timing was perfect as I was feeling discouraged after facing obstacles in France, including a job rejection due to lacking a work permit. These challenges made me question my commitment to the humanitarian field and whether moving to France was the right decision. However, the ESC project proved transformative. The warm environment, welcoming people, and shared experiences with fellow volunteers brought a sense of home. Living in a hostel with others reminded me of the community spirit I grew up with. A particularly inspiring moment came from a conversation with a fellow volunteer who encouraged me not to let fear dictate my choices. This advice, coupled with the experiences of working with migrants and learning about their resilience, helped restore my confidence and reignite my determination to pursue my dreams. Now, with renewed motivation, driven by the belief that I can overcome any obstacle. The ESC project not only reminded me of my purpose but also reaffirmed my ability to make a meaningful impact. These past weeks have been extraordinary, thanks to the dedication of the program facilitators and organizers. Their support has been invaluable, and I am deeply grateful. This experience has left me more confident than ever and ready to achieve my goal of empowering others through my work.
Francis’ Testimonial
What are you going to do for two months in Crotone? Why, at 29 and with a medical degree from Trieste, are you going to volunteer in Calabria? Don’t you think you should get a ‘real’ job? Who will you be working with? What will you gain from it?” These were just some of the questions I had to endure from friends and family in the weeks before my departure for Calabria. I say “endure” because the challenge wasn’t so much their curiosity but my own confusion about how to answer. Sure, the pre-departure information provided by Associazione Joint and Cooperativa One, the organizing entities, was comprehensive, but it was still hard to imagine how agriculture, comic book workshops, cocktails, local cuisine, social inclusion activities, interactions with migrants, sports, mindfulness, and much more could fit into two months of living with 20 complete strangers from different backgrounds and languages. Choosing to participate was an impulsive decision, fueled by curiosity, a borderline obsessive passion for challenges, and my availability at the time. When asked why and what I would be doing, I could only answer, “I don’t really know myself.” But after two months of this project, my “non-expectations” turned into immense wonder and gratitude for how much this adventure enriched and entertained me. Being one of the older members of this crew of young Europeans (the age limit was 30), I thought I’d already had plenty of significant experiences in life. I was proven wrong as I engaged in new contexts and phenomena—or saw them in a different light—ranging from supporting the preservation of assets confiscated from the local mafia (with Associazione Libera and Cooperativa Terre Ioniche) to distributing meals to the homeless and underprivileged. We also exchanged cultural and human experiences with unaccompanied foreign minors hosted by Associazione Sabir and even observed court trials of alleged human traffickers. These moments opened our eyes, hearts, and minds to the injustices and hardships often faced by significant portions of society. Equally enriching was living with 17 other young people from various countries, sharing activities, sports, workshops, and even lighter, touristy moments as we discovered the beauty of Calabria together. In short, it was a 360-degree experience that I believe gave so much to all participants in different ways, as well as to the community of Crotone. Now that I’m back home, those same friends and family no longer respond to my stories with a skeptical “Hmm…” but instead eagerly ask, “So, where do we start?
Claudia’s Testimonial
My name is Claudia, I am from Italy, Crotone. For me the travel organization and the accommodation were not a problem because I live in the city where the project was done. I had a cognitive interview with the founders of the association Coopeativa One, in the hostel in which we had to stay during this experience, called Ostello Casa di Chiara. I immediately thought it could be a wonderful opportunity and decided to participate. My fears before starting it were to be too shy, to feel uncomfortable to communicate with others and to not being able to share so much time with people I did not know. Fortunately it was not like that because i met a really healthy, open minded and sociable group. We had a very great time together and we did so many things, but my favourite activities were the beachvolley games and the dance classes, they were very relaxing, funny, energetic and positive. I also enjoyed the activities with the Sabir assosiacion in which we met many arabian guys and we listened to their stories, how they arrived here, what they had to face and endure. I also had the opportunity to help some children with problematic situations with their homeworks in a center called Piccoli Passi, and this experience really melt my heart. I think this was a fantastic group because everyone has always listened to each others needs without having discussions or fights, there was always someone ready to support you without judging. During these two months I learned so many things. Different cultures, traditions, foods, dances, political ideas. But above all, now I know that we do not have to be afraid of the future, that we are all in the same boat, that the river can be sometimes dark, scary, dangerous and agitated but there will always be someone to help you, a light that will guide you.
ESC Teams with the European Solidarity Corps
The special feature of the ESC Teams is its short duration, ranging from 2 weeks to a maximum of 2 months. This aspect makes it accessible also to young people who work or study and cannot dedicate a whole year to travel! Despite the brevity of the projects, Group ESCs offer meaningful and intense life experiences, during which numerous professional skills can be acquired. Moreover, by sharing life and work with a group of people, similar to a community, lɜ participants have the opportunity to create strong bonds even in a short period of time.