Last Thursday (26 January) we four volunteers of the project "A Solidarity Shelter" by APS Mondo Nuovo and our mentor went to the office of Alzheimer Association of Saint Rita where Gabriella, the project coordinator, Pia, Annachiara and Antonio, the National Civil Service volunteers, welcomed us.
In the beggining we made a short presentation of ourselves, EVS volunteers, explained what Youth In Action and EVS are all about, and of course shared our own volunteering experiences and motivation. We also talked about our life before that experience in Italy, what we were doing before, how we decided to leave our home, our job, our family, and why we selected Italy, why we selected Mondo Nuovo and “A Solidarity Shelter” project.
In the second part of meeting Gabriela explained how they started to work with people affected by Alzheimer’s disease, how they decided to found that organisation, who funds or donates the organisation, what her personal motivation is, what their activities are and how they are carried out. After that the volunteers of National Civil Service explained why they are part of that project, how they decided to be volunteers and what they do as volunteers.
In fact, to work with people which are affected by Alzheimer’s is quite difficult and requires much more motivation and patience in comparison to other kinds of social work. First Alzheimer's Disease is a condition in which a person's brain and body gradually stop working properly. It generally occurs in middle or old age and affects their senses, reactions and motions. Unfortunately they get senseless day by day. When I heard about their activities and how difficult it is to work, also as a volunteer, I really understood why volunteering is important.
They do a lot of activities for the people affected by this disease. They are also in contact with lawyers, doctors, specialists and hospitals. They arrange different kinds of therapies. But the main aim is to make people know that Alzheimer’s is not a desease which is completely hopeless and everybody can do something for people which are affected.
After that we talked about our coutries and voluntary activities in our cities and countries. And unfortunately I realised we need much more volunteers in my country and city. Before we left for Lucera we gave our words to visit them the following day.
And that was exactly what we did. On January 27th we went to Foggia again. But this time not to the hospital. We went for a session of music therapy which is usually held on Fridays. We were welcomed by the Alzheimer staff and doezens of people who attend music therapy. And they were really happy to see us. We were given smiles and greetings one by one and many times. At that moment I was happy to be there and to make them happier, even a bit.
Music therapy is based on traditional melodies and songs. Honestly, it was the first time I’ve seen a music therapy, before that experience I had not known even what music therapy is. Shame on me.
During the session we not only sang Italian songs, we also danced (yes even me! And Anna has a video of me dancing and she blackmails me now!). When we took some group pictures and said goodbye to everybody, it was already midday. We decided to have coffee together with volunteers of “Alzheimer” and we got to a coffetteria. And that was a perfect moment for our intercultural learning. We talked a lot about our traditional meals, traditional jewelleries, particular stones, recipes, etc. and had our cappuccinos and coffees. Before we left for Lucera ,Gabriella gave her word to entertain us with a dinner. These invitations are one of the most important benefits of our visits! :)
Nejdet, EVS volunteer “A Solidarity Shelter”
I do not know how I can begin to write my impressions about our visit to Alzheimer Association of Saint Rita, because it is too difficult to say everything in four-five sentences. Of course, my impressions are very good and nice.
First I would like to say that I am very fortunate because I could be there. I could know a very nice director, Gabriella. She is a very good person with a big heart and she really wants to help other people. I think she is very enthusiastic and has a good knowledge in different aspects (social work, psychological support and management, too). During the meeting I could know other enthusiastic and motivated people in the person of the local volunteers. All of them are young but also they want to help to the members of that organization. They are not just volunteers but also good friends and maybe this is one of the reasons why they can work together in a very good way.
The next day we met with a group who took part in a music therapy. This meeting really surprised me in a positive way. The members of the group were very cheerful, and this meeting looked like a family occasion and did not look as a therapy at all. The songs that I heard there were very beautiful especially “ Buongiorno a te”. In this meeting we danced a bit (of course, I was “an elephant in the porcelain store”) and we talked to the members of the group. I do not want to say I know them, because one meeting is not enough to know somebody, but I think they are very good persons and therefor it is a very good experience to meet and talk to them. I hope in the next week we will have a possibility to meet again.
Zoli, EVS volunteer “A Solidarity Shelter”
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