Volunteering Stories: Growing Together – by Benjamin

Ciao! I am Benjamin (Beni, for friends), from Valea lui Mihai village, Romania. This year, I had the opportunity to take part in a long-term volunteering experience in Genoa, Italy, in collaboration with La Comunità – Cooperativa Sociale.

My placement brought me to Casa nel Bosco, where I supported educators and spent time with children from the Cooperativa Sociale through everyday activities such as homework support, beach trips and visits to a zipline park.

My motivation came from something personal: my own childhood experiences and the desire to offer children the kind of support and attention that can make a difference. Very quickly, I discovered that working with children is not only about organising activities. It requires patience, attention and, above all, being truly present. Sometimes the most meaningful moments happen quietly, between the planned activities.

I also learned that things do not always go according to plan and that is perfectly okay. Every child communicates, learns and grows differently, so adapting became an important part of my everyday experience.

Living and volunteering abroad also pushed me outside my comfort zone. I faced unfamiliar situations, learned to react more calmly to unexpected difficulties and developed a better emotional balance when dealing with everyday challenges.

Little by little, these experiences helped me build confidence and turn difficult moments into opportunities to learn.

This journey also made me reflect on my own habits, lifestyle and future goals. One important personal milestone was becoming completely smoke-free for more than two months, with the support of my tutor. For me, this was another sign that change is possible when you have the right motivation and people around you.

Looking back, I realize that volunteering is not simply about giving your time to others. It is about growing alongside, with them. The children I worked with taught me patience, adaptability and presence. And, in many ways, they became part of my own learning journey.