The Europe of volunteering finds a home in Gavoi

Flying after the lockdown, young people arriving from all corners of the continent will land in Gavoi. The project is called, in fact, Fly after lockdown and the creator is the Malik association, a solid reality that has made this enchanting center of Barbagia a small Europe. Claudia Sedda, arm and mind of the association, citizen of the world from Genoa, deep knowledge of the branch, explains: "The goal is to guarantee training and new stimuli to young people living in rural areas of central Sardinia, giving them information on the opportunities that are available to them in Europe. Not only in terms of training, internship and work abroad, but also on the funds that the European Union makes available ”. These guys support Malik in the implementation of Sportello in Shoulder, the now famous itinerant initiative that touches the thirteen municipalities of Bim Taloro. The volunteers, in practice, help, for example, young people from Barbagia to write their curriculum in English, or a letter of motivation. They are the trainers, on many fronts: courses, artistic workshops, recycling workshops, raising awareness on environmental protection issues. The intergenerational laboratories are particularly appreciated. “My mother - says Claudia Sedda - learned to use the smartphone thanks to the European volunteers”. And there are those who decide to stay. Iulita, a former Moldavian volunteer, lives in Gavoi and has become a counter operator. His beautiful story has already been told in newspapers and on TV.

And even the volunteers who stay in Gavoi today make no secret of being fascinated by Barbagia. “Initially - says Esther Schelvis, 23, Dutch - I wanted to volunteer in a big city, then I shared the goal of this project based in Gavoi and so I submitted my application. I wanted to experience what life was like in a small town and here I am. I am satisfied ”.

The link with Gavoi came thanks to the platform of the European Solidarity Corps for Adéla Tydlitova, 19, a student from the Czech Republic. Italy because I was interested in learning the language. I found an ad on Instagram, did some interviews. I really liked the way the communication was set up ”. And his ambition has materialized.

At the center of it all is Malik. Ten active members, two people who work part time for the association and a series of collaborators. A founding member, Valeria Sanna, a president, Enzo Cugusi. Three strands: youth mobility and European projects, promotion of cinema, fight against educational poverty and promotion of reading. In Gavoi there is always Claudia Sedda, director and coordinator of every initiative that Europe sends to Barbagia through its young standard bearers.

Malik's activism and commitment are obviously welcomed by the Gavoi city administration. “An important initiative - observes the mayor, Salvatore Lai - due to the fact that these exchanges greatly enrich both those arriving in Gavoi and our fellow citizens”.