Oct. 4 – “The most beautiful human work is to be helpful to each other,” said Sophocles in ancient Greece. And today these words resonate in the name of solidarity and generosity – investments that never fail. And those who volunteer know it better than anyone else: those who put their time, talent and resources in the hands of values and principles in which they believe increase their sense of responsibility, their ability to work in a team, and commitment. And Deborah Grupico, a young girl from Modena, the European Union has given the chance to grow in this manner: she will be leaving for Shillelagh, where she will volunteer in an institution for people with disabilities. Deborah is 23, she lives in the province of Modena, in Spezzano, and she’s going to Ireland under the 1-year long European Voluntary Service. Like dozens of other young people, she turned to the Europe Direct center in her Municipality to know what training and volunteering opportunities the European Union provides. With the help of the Going to Europe Association, Deborah has prepared her life project for the next 11 months; she will be a guest at the Ardeen Cheshire Home, a nonprofit organization that runs a school for the disabled in Shillelagh in the Wicklow County, where she will support the staff in the organization of activities aimed at promoting social inclusion and the well-being of the facility’s residents. She will be helping guests use computers or accompanying them to the cinema, bowling or doing odd jobs. Deborah will work with three other European volunteers from Germany, Turkey and France in an adventure that will certainly leave a mark in her life.
