Volunteers? Interns? Employees? Nothing of the sort, instead “civil servants”.
You probably already know the staff working in KISEDET, generous and trustworthy people who have been collaborating with the organization for several years, to often fill the gaps left by governmental institutions. They are colleagues, sometimes the very same kids we helped with their studies in the past years and who are now willing to contribute to help children living the same difficult conditions. “I don’t believe in charity, but in solidarity”, it’s the organization’s motto, that always guides us; we take pride in being an association completely run by locals.
Hence, a step back? Absolutely not. On the other hand, it’s a new opportunity for KISEDET to improve and implement cultural and technical knowledge in order to offer the best to our beneficiaries. So, can we call them volunteers? The answer is still no. We have always thought that it would be against our principles to host foreign volunteers for a short period of time. We really care about the life and health of our kids and doing whatever we can to guarantee them stability. So, why the Universal Civil Service?
Because, as the president of the National Conference Department for the Civil Service, Laura Milani, states: “To invest in the Universal Civil Service (UCS), in Italy and abroad, is to invest into training for youth’s citizenship, that brings sustainability, inclusion and solidarity for the targeted communities.” We believe in this project and now we have welcomed the first four “civil servants”, just landed in Dodoma a few days back and residing in our drop-in and short-term shelter Shukurani.
Let’s meet them one after another since they’re going to stay with us for almost one year.
SOFIA
Straight from Sardinia, Sofia is 29 years old and she’s a professional educator. She chose our project, or rather the project chose her: “when I first read the project, I thought that KISEDET and I could enrich each other”. What caught her attention was our multi annual experience in the realization of projects that guarantee protection, access to services and support to kids and families on different levels. From her first impression she tells us: “taking care of a vulnerable child means to understand which are the challenges of that particular family and building new rapports within the community. KISEDET does a great job indeed in this sense and I’m very looking forward to learning from the professionals who work here and to put my knowledge at their disposal”. Karibu Sofia!
VERONICA
Veronica is 28 years old and she was born in Asti, Piedmont. She was impressed by the clarity and the structured way in which KISEDET takes care for their beneficiaries and specific needs: “nothing is left behind”. Passionate about travelling and foreign languages, she would love to take advantage of her 3 years’ experience within the tourist sector and to help the organization in promoting and making tourism itineraries more sustainable. Her dream is to work within the cooperation field and she is ready to share with KISEDET her knowledge about fundraising and project management. After a few days here she says: “We’re adapting pretty quickly and I’m grateful for this occasion. Asante sana!”. Karibu Veronica!
CHIARA
Paduan on paper, world citizen in the soul. Chiara is 28 years old and after her bachelor degree in languages and international relationship, she chose to embark on what will become a long series of experiences abroad: from Australia to Vietnam, from Georgia to Ireland, occasions that led her to work with kids and teens, but also with adults with a disadvantage background.
She knew and wanted to start a journey that would let her discover the African continent, but it was our project that made her take the final decision: “I find that KISEDET mission matches with the values and principles that I had the chance to learn and acquire while visiting other cultures. I entirely agree with the motto that promotes solidarity instead of charity.” Karibu Chiara!
GIORGIA
Last but not least, Giorgia is the youngest of our group (27) and she was raised in Treviglio until 18 years old. After her A levels, she chose to move to London, then to Barcelona and, after 6 years of various professional and personal experiences – that made her curious towards the world – she certified as Yoga and English teacher. These skills are one of the reasons why she chose the project at KISEDET, to put her knowledge and competencies at our beneficiaries’ disposal. Giorgia feels at home already, she enjoys dancing with the kids and says: “I love the simplicity and the pure energy that these people and this place radiate.” Karibu Giorgia!