Despoina Kossena's short report concerning her ESC experience in Malagón, Spain

Dear readers,

My name is Despoina and in this article I would like to briefly describe my European Solidarity Corps/ Erasmus+ volunteering experience. Coming from the beautiful island of Chios, Greece and having been raised in a small community, I have always wanted to travel to new places and countries, explore different cultures and broaden my personal and professional horizons. Additionally, I always felt the urge to do something meaningful in my life, to utilize my knowledge, skills and abilities and to contribute in the societal advancement. To «work» with people or as a member of an organization that offers it’s services to a higher cause, without expecting anything in return but the improvement of people’s quality of life and the formation of more just, equal, inclusive, aware, ethical and humane communities. Therefore, I decided to join the European Solidarity Corps/ Erasmus+ volunteering programme for youth and participate in an individual cross-border volunteering project. The European Solidarity Corps (ESC) is a programme funded by the European Union that enables young people (aged between 18 and 35) to acquire knowledge, skills, abilities, experience and enhance their educational and professional background, through participating in volunteering, solidarity and humanitarian aid projects across Europe (https://youth.europa.eu/solidarity).

During my project search, I came across the volunteering programme «ACTIVATE CORAJE (SPAIN) 2024-2025: YOUR EUROPEAN VOLUNTEERING ADVENTURE SUPPORTING PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES», organized by the Spanish association "Asociación Coraje Malagón".

Asociación Coraje Malagón is a non-profit organization that has around 145 members (with or without disabilities), and through it’s activities and service aims at improving the quality of life of people with functional diversity – intellectual and physical disabilities (https://asociacioncoraje.es/).

For this project I was supported by the Greek organization ESAI EN ROI (sending organization). ESAI EN ROI is a cultural organization/ association of Macedonia – Thrace activated in the fine arts era (https://www.esaienroi.org/). The programme duration was seven months (September 2024 – April 2025) and took place in Malagón, Castlla-La-Mancha, Spain. I worked alongside another volunteer from Italy.

Malagón is a small municipality in the province of the city of Real (Ciudad Real), in the autonomous Spanish community of Castlla- La Mancha (htps://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malag%C3%B3n). It is situated between the cites of Real and Toledo, which is the capital of the Castlla- La Mancha province (htps://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castlla%E2%80%93La_Mancha). Despite its small size, in Malagón you will fnd quite a few cafés, restaurants and bars where you can enjoy traditional Spanish dishes, deserts and café like tapas, paella, miguelitos, café bombón and many more. There are, also, actvites and festivities organized by the municipality, as well as cinema.

Additonally, in Malagón you will find the well-known monastery and convent of Saint Joseph (monasterio y convento de San José) founded by Saint Teresa (Santa Teresa de Jesús) (https://en.www.turismocastllalamancha.es/personajes-ilustres/santa-teresa-de-jesus￾55635/), as well as the monastery’s museum. It is truly a place full of devine beauty and peace, definitely worth visiting.

Furthermore, if you wish to explore more things, you can travel very easily and fast to the neighboring city of Real, as well as to the famous, historical city of Toledo. Overall, the life in the city of Malagón is quite relaxed and easy-going, the people are extremely friendly, open and helpful and there are quite a few parks for the nature-lovers to enjoy.

Regarding the volunteering project, it aimed at raising awareness of disability and enhancing the social inclusion of people with functional diversity and disabilities in the occupational center of the host organization, as well as in the community of Malagón. In order to achieve these goals, my fellow volunteer and I were responsible for developing and implementing activities of inclusive leisure, as well as supporting and assisting the members with their daily tasks, responsibilities and work at the occupational center of the association, while encouraging and promoting their independence.

Throughout the duration of the programme I was able to expand my knowledge, skills-set and abilities, gain experiences, meet wonderful people and explore new things.

To concluded, I definitely recommend participation in such of volunteering, solidarity and humanitarian aid projects realized through the European Solidarity Corps programme, since they are a great way for young people to travel in Europe, familiarize themselves with new languages, cultures, ways of thinking, broaden their educational and professional horizons, gain significant experiences and above all contribute with their valuable work in the amelioration of people’s quality of live and the formation of more fair, just, equal, tolerant, inclusive, coherent and progressive societies.

Working alongside people with intellectual and physical disabilities has truly been quite an impactful experience for me, as I had never done something similar before. There are some many things that they teach you without realizing it and they give you some much love, kindness, positivity and purpose. I will be forever grateful to these lovely, inspiring creatures for all the wonderful memories we have formed together, for all the love they have given me, for all the sweet, fun, emotional, humane moments we shared and for their remarkable patience when I was still getting acquainted with Spanish.

A huge thank you to my admirable, hard-working and so dedicated mentor, supervisor, fellow volunteer and colleagues in my hosting association Coraje for their valuable support and guidance throughout my work, and for the truly life-changing service they provide, not only in the occupational center of the association but in the community of Malagón as well.

And last but not least, I would like to extend my gratitude to my supporting organization ESAI EN ROI and to Eleni Kavazidou for always being there for me, answering all of my questions, advising me, guiding me and encouraging me. Your work and contribution is outstanding and much-needed.

Un abrazo enorme para mi gente en Malagón!

Hasta pronto!