Just a smile is precious – Eva’s story as volunteer in Associazione L’Arca Comunità Il Chicco
We coordinated Eva as a European Solidarity Corps volunteer from October 2025 to July 2026 in our partners of Associazione L’Arca Comunità Il Chicco, where she supported their activities in social work with people with disabilities.
The project was funded by the European Commission through the European Solidarity Corps programme and the Italian Agency for Youth.
This is her experience!
Hi, I’m Eva 👋
I’m 20 years old, I’m creative, dynamic and I love to travel 🧳🎨
I’m from France, living in Brittany but grew up in the south close to Marseille 😎
I decided to take part in this project ’cause I was already taking part in a volunteering project in another community of Associazione L’Arca in France, but I decided to continue this experience abroad ’cause I wanted to know myself better, to live new experiences, to discover a new culture. Anyway above all I highly wanted to travel.
When I arrived I got a little bit disappointed ’cause I had a lot of expectations not even reachable. But with time I found really welcoming people, the dolce vita lifestyle and above all a real pleasure to help the “ragazzi” (people with disabilities). I also found myself, I’m now more confident, I know better what I like and what I dislike and above all I grew up a lot.
During this mission, I helped ragazzi to eat meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner. I was preparing breakfast and helping to prepare dinner. I also did a lot of small walks in the park with the ragazzi, I was helping Danilo (the Dj of the house) to put music. “Zia Gobbles” for wind of change of Scorpions. I also helped Dafne to put hand-cream. Those tasks were my routine.
In this experience I learned that just a smile is precious. With some ragazzi my only way to understand them was a smile. I also learned that being there, to be just a presence for someone can be really a lot. I learned patience, humility and to be responsible. I also learned a lot about social work obviously. And I learned so much about myself while helping ragazzi.
I learned more about my limits, my social energy, what I like and dislike…
From this experience I brought so many beautiful memories. I brought new friendships, a new language that I can speak, a grown up version of myself, a lot of new competences…
Well I brought a lot home.
If you are hesitating about taking part in a similar project I will say to you “worth it”. It’s not an easy experience, you will definitely have breakdown, doubts, difficulties. But on the other hand you will meet beautiful people, discover a new version of yourself, discover that you have the capacity to do way more than you were thinking. And you will create unforgettable memories.
