Last year, I was introduced to TDM 2000 International by a friend, and I was given the chance to know more of the project EUROASI – From Europe to Asia: Capitalizing Experience in Youth Work, funded by the European Union under its Erasmus+ program. The meeting eventually led to an offer to participate in one of its program (Job Shadowing and European Voluntary Service), and seven (7) months later, here I am in one of the most beautiful places in the world, Cagliari, Sardinia, Italy working as a Volunteer under the EVS Program with TDM 2000 International.
The road to my EVS in Italy is tale to tell itself. Challenging, frustrating and amazing at the same time. The visa application alone is frustrating with my first application being denied. But I am very grateful for my NGO, TDM 2000 International, for not giving up on me and on my visa which leads to the reversal of the previous decision on my visa application and eventually its approval. The good news arrived at the right time when I needed it the most where I know I needed to be somewhere else, where I could be of better service, a place I could learn and improve myself.
As a line in my favorite book says:
“And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.”
– The Alchemist
On July 7, 2016, around 11 in the evening, I arrived at Cagliari in Sardinia, Italy, my home for the next 90 days. I was sleep deprived from a 24 hours plus travel to Cagliari, but still (a bit) energetic probably because of excitement. On my first day, I was able to meet my fellow volunteers who will I be sharing this beautiful EVS experience in the next months and the wonderful people of TDM 2000 and TDM 2000 International. This Organization made great impression on me in just few hours of meeting them, with their work with the young people of Sardinia, their role in the politics, their passion and to just make a difference and contribution to the community.
And on my first day, what better to do than start to experience Italian culture, which is food. I just had one of the best gelato for the first time. In the evening, we were taken to the village of San Sperate to witness and be a part of their Peach Festival. I was awed by the beautiful wall murals all throughout the village done by their local artists. During the festival, the people of San Sperate open their homes to the public, showing their produce/products and selling it and some were there to just simply show the history and share the story of their family. The fact that they open their doors, welcomed us and graciously share the story of their family is an overwhelming experience so far.
My next days with TDM 2000 is intensive but very educational for me. I was able to attend a meeting with TDM 2000 and some of the Regional Officials of Sardinia. I was also able to be a part of TDM 2000’s GAIN EVS Project which involves working with other NGOs from other countries of Europe, and TDM 2000’s 16th Anniversary.
What happened on that 1 week was an eye-opening. I have never met and seen such passion from group of individuals from Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) coming from different countries working on projects, exchanging ideas and making partnerships that would give benefit to their youth and their communities. A good example would be the Youth Guaranty Program that TDM 2000 is working with another organization here in Sardinia. It aims to work with the unemployed youth of Sardinia, with plans to sending them abroad with partner organizations for training/voluntary service that would eventually help them gain experiences that would make them better individuals and develop competencies that could help them find work and integrate back to the community.
What amazes me the most is the very good collaboration of the NGOs with the Government. They are working together, in partnership for the good of the youth and the community in general. The NGOs has this projects that helps the youth, the community and the society and the government helps thru funding and these NGOs has a voice in passing laws/policies and the government in general. Each has a vital role to each other.
This is fairly new to me. Back in the Philippines, I only knew very little of NGOs in our town (the ones I knew of are Red Cross and other disaster related Organizations). I am not even actually aware if there are other organizations that works more on youth, or communities, and if what are their roles and their contributions and to what extend that the Local Government (or even the National Government) is working with them or the support that each other provides.
One very important thing I have learned is that NGOs and the Government can work hand in hand, and if they did, a lot can be done for the good of the community and the society. What I have witnessed in just more than 1 week of my EVS in Italy is truly amazing and a gift. I cannot wait for more learnings in the next days, weeks and months.
Anahaw, Filipino volunteer in TDM 2000, Italy