Broadening your world – Aaron’s story as volunteer in Abatino Animal Shelter
Aaron took part in a European Solidarity Corps volunteering team in September 2024 in Abatino Animal Shelter, Italy, supporting the sanctuary and the rescue centre for local and exotic fauna.
The project was coordinated by Associazione Kora and funded by the European Commission through the European Solidarity Corps programme and the Italian Agency for Youth.
This is his experience!
My name is Aaron from Belgium, travelling by day, dancing by night. As I discover the varied landscapes of Europe, I like to lend my helping hand in all kinds of projects, mainly supporting sustainability organisations. This way I reach personal goals of learning new crafts (permaculture, building competences and animal care) and contribute my part to this floating ball hosting all of us.
When I chose to come to this project, the first motivations shooting through my head were to learn more about myself in communication with animals. As we all know, other beings are a mirror of our inner world and behaviour. When you look well and accept without taking things too personal, you will find great wisdom in an animals reaction.
Then reading more about the project and its endeavours, I felt like these brave people, hosting these brave animals, are worth all our time and support. And there’s no better way to do this in an international group of motivated and enthusiast young adults.
We fed the animals, built a workshop and revitalised living space. The employees and long term volunteers taught us a lot about animals, their behaviour, building competences and team work. All of this we take home, supporting us as we pave our path through life.
If someone ever doubts coming to a project like this, I would quote a very famous company: “just do it”. Okay, it can be scary to suddenly live together with such a bit group and doing all these new things. Just remember: you are free to speak your mind, with like-minded people, supported from start to finish, in an endeavour broadening your world.
