O testemunho No. 3 do Nacho (SPEA)

It’s really hard for me to put into words what this year and this whole experience have

meant to me. But let’s give it a try.

I remember it like it was yesterday: arriving in Lisbon alone, sad, and absolutely

terrified about the challenge ahead. But when I compare that version of Nacho to who I

am now, I can really feel how much I’ve grown. It reminds me that, even if it all went by

so fast, a lot has happened this year.

As I already said, the first few weeks weren’t easy. But as time went on, that

adjustment period became a smaller and smaller part of the overall experience. Now

I’m genuinely grateful for that time — it made me appreciate how lucky I was to have

such an opportunity.

I honestly believe that what I’ve learned this year couldn’t have been learned any other

way. I’ve improved my English and learned Portuguese, and through that I’ve

discovered how stimulating it is to build personal connections in another language. The

same goes for work: I’ve had the chance to collaborate closely with incredible

professionals and, above all, incredible people. There are even bird names that now

only come to me in Portuguese.

I’ve also learned that the world is not just your city; people are not only your social

circles; fun is not limited to your current hobbies; partying isn’t just the places you go to

every weekend; and your current self probably isn’t the most enjoyable version of you.

There are thousands of things out there waiting to be experienced, and with each new

thing you try, you discover a little bit more about yourself. And that’s the most valuable

lesson I’m taking with me.

I’m leaving Lisbon much more open to new experiences, with a better understanding of

who I am, knowing more clearly what I want in life, and above all, appreciating and

loving myself more. None of this would have been possible without all the wonderful

people I’ve met along the way. I feel incredibly lucky and grateful for every single one of

them. I know this is one of those years you simply never forget.

O testemunho do Tiago (Union Plaani ry)

A minha experiência com o ESC foi, genuinamente, a melhor coisa que já fiz na vida. Heinola foi a melhor casa que podia ter pedido e é uma comunidade onde o desporto juvenil tem um papel fundamental.

Como parte do voluntariado, tive oportunidade de trabalhar de várias maneiras dentro do Union Plaani. Atuei como monitor de campos de férias de futebol e de outros desportos variados, desempenhei o papel de treinador adjunto de uma equipa de sub-14, ajudei com a logística nos dias de jogo da equipa principal, participei de programas de futebol depois da escola nas várias escolas da cidade, entre outras pequenas funções variadas.

O ambiente foi, durante todos os quatro meses, fantástico. Tanto o staff do clube como os meus colegas voluntários foram o mais acolhedores possível, nunca tinha experienciado tanta bondade de tantas pessoas ao mesmo tempo. Saí de lá com imensa vontade de voltar.

Para além do bom ambiente em Heinola, tivemos também uma boa quantidade de tempo livre que utilizámos para viajar no norte da Europa. Fomos à Lapónia, Suécia, Estónia e Letónia.

 

O testemunho No.1 da Jule

Hello, I am Jule, I am 26, and I just arrived in Lisbon for a one year volunteering adventure. It's my first time living in a big capital city, I am very excited. So far the experience has been great! It's my first time living in a big capital city, I have to say that Lisbon is very enjoyable: human sized, with a lot of parks, dogs, beautiful beaches close by, and pretty good weather all year long. 

It is not my first time volunteering or living abroad, let's say it's my comfort zone, I have never had the opportunity to settle down in a place for more than a year, and I believe it would take more than that to fully enjoy Lisbon. 

I was warmly welcomed by Spin, unsure of my competences, they did the best job valuing my assets and reassuring me. I have been receiving really good feedback from my coworkers. I have a degree in the field of international project management, therefore being part of Spin allows me to discover the day to day tasks of the Spin team. I surely will value this new knowledge in my future professional life. 

I also have met a lot of people in a short time, I currently have 5 flatmates, I love it, I've always liked living in a community, and sharing random moments of life. Our flat, provided by Spin, is located in a lovely neighbourhood close to the city center, it's cute and comfortable. My flatmates and I have made it our home. The only thing I could complain about is that the apartment doesn't come with pets!

O testemunho No.1 da Ilaria

 

Hi, I'm Ilaria, a Spin volunteer. I've been in Lisbon for almost two months now and I feel I can share the first part of my experience here. This city and Spin have welcomed me in the best possible way. My now friend, Sinem, another volunteer, came to the airport to welcome me and help me to arrive in Casa Anjos. 

I was very nervous and worried about my level of English, the interactions that awaited me and the work I would have to do.  As always happens to me, my mind had created an extremely frightening scenario for me. Everything changed when I met the people involved in this project. The humanity, warmth and understanding of everyone were important factors in helping me to start expressing myself and come out of the symbolic safe and solitary shell I had created for myself. 

This is my first experience of living outside Italy, and I had many doubts and uncertainties before I left.

 

I am beginning to understand many things about myself, and I am happy that every day, for one reason or another, is a challenge. What I like is that these challenges are met with kindness and understanding. At work, everyone is very helpful and always willing to listen and answer questions or doubts.

I live in the Anjos house with the other volunteers, and I am happy with the relationship that is developing between us. There are now eight of us, and the space is more cramped, but the other side of this coin is that we are led to interact more and discover each other more and more. We are training our listening skills and, at times, our tolerance.  I am living in a shared room and I admit that this is one of the things that is testing me the most. Finding my space is not easy, but I am doing my best to maintain a balance between the solitude I need and the sociability I am drawn to in this experience.

Another big challenge is finding my place here in the city. I miss nature and my animals. Whenever I need support, I seek it in nature, my greatest ally. I remain open-hearted, ready to understand, discover, listen, create connections and express myself in the clearest way possible.

O testemunho No. 2 do Nacho (SPEA)

I ended my first testimony by saying that I felt the best was yet to come. And I was completely right. These last few months have been, without a doubt, some of the most intense of my life. I have met many places and people and lived many new experiences. But the most beautiful thing, and what would surprise the Nacho of a few months ago, is that I have made friends for life. Before coming here, I never thought I would be able to build such close and intimate friendships. Now I already have trips planned for after we finish our projects. 

After a few months of adaptation in which I was more focused and motivated by my work in SPEA, I have had a period of very intense social activity, which has made me know how much I like to meet people from other places and learn something from all of them. I believe that, through this kind of experiences, we can all discover a lot about ourselves and grow personally through that knowledge. 

On the other hand, my work at SPEA has only gotten better, making amazing trips with amazing companies, doing new activities that I had never done before and, above all, always learning. All my friends tell me: in places like Berlengas, the Algarve or Miranda do Douro, anyone can work happily. Between work trips and plans with friends, we could say that I have had very little “free time”. This has also made me realize that sometimes we have to reject plans, disconnect and rest a bit to be able to give our 100% to the people around us. 

In short, I think I could define these last few months as a process of fun and continuous learning, both about myself and about the people and the world around me. Now, being more than two months away from the end of my project, I am already thinking that I don't want it to end.

O testemunho da Alice (Kalistratia)

 Participar neste projeto do European Solidarity Corps, em parceria com a Kalistratia e a associação Spin, foi uma experiência profundamente enriquecedora. Desde que regressei a Portugal percebo como é difícil traduzir por palavras tudo o que vivi e aprendi mas, felizmente, tudo isso se reflete no meu dia a dia.

(🇬🇧 Taking part in this European Solidarity Corps project, in partnership with Kalistratia and the Spin Association, was a deeply enriching experience. Since returning to Portugal, I’ve realized how difficult it is to put into words everything I experienced and learned—but fortunately, all of it is reflected in my daily life.)

Em plena natureza da Calábria organizámos um campo de verão informal para crianças onde a preocupação pelo ambiente, a arte e o movimento foram os nossos principais instrumentos de aprendizagem. Paralelamente dedicámo-nos à pintura de um rio numa escadaria de uma das aldeias principais e, ao fim de duas semanas, já tínhamos criado laços fortes com toda a comunidade. Esse vínculo tornou possível convidar os moradores a juntarem-se à pintura, transformando-a num símbolo físico dessa grande família.

(🇬🇧 In the heart of Calabria’s nature, we organized an informal summer camp for children, where environmental awareness, art, and movement were our main tools for learning. At the same time, we worked on painting a river along a staircase in one of the main villages and, after two weeks, we had already built strong ties with the whole community. That bond made it possible to invite local residents to join in the painting, turning it into a physical symbol of that big family.)

Na terceira semana iniciámos a preparação do festival Calabria Eco Fest, que foi definitivamente onde aprendi mais sobre colaboração e sobre como a ecologia, a criatividade e o espírito comunitário podem transformar um espaço e aproximar pessoas. Depois de trabalhar intensamente durante o festival, a última semana trouxe tempo para descansar e apreciar com calma tudo o que vivemos.

(🇬🇧 In the third week, we began preparations for the Calabria Eco Fest, which was definitely where I learned the most about collaboration and how ecology, creativity, and community spirit can transform a space and bring people closer together. After working intensively during the festival, the final week gave us time to rest and calmly appreciate everything we had experienced.)

Esta experiência não foi apenas um ato concreto de voluntariado, foi um verdadeiro encontro com o outro, com a natureza e com a cultura local.

(🇬🇧 This experience was not just a concrete act of volunteering—it was a true encounter with others, with nature, and with the local culture.)

O testemunho No.1 da Augustyna (SPIN)

When I arrived in Lisbon three months ago, I honestly didn’t know what to expect. I came here with an open mind and a bit of curiosity, hoping that this experience would help me grow personally and professionally. Looking back now, I can already say that these first few months have been full of small discoveries, quiet joys, and new routines that feel surprisingly comforting. One of the first places that truly captured my heart was Praia do Guincho. I still remember the first time I stood there, feeling the ocean breeze and watching the wild waves crash against the shore — it was like the sea whispered, “welcome.” That beach has become my escape, my place to breathe, think, and just be.

Life in Lisbon flows differently. I often find myself sitting in local parks with a good book, losing track of time under the sun. It’s become one of my favorite rituals. There’s something about reading in the soft Lisbon light that makes every story feel more alive. And speaking of rituals – I’ve definitely developed a new love: Pão de Deus. I could eat one every single day (and I kind of do). As for Pastel de Nata... well, let’s just say it’s not for me. I tried to like it, really!

The project itself has given me a deeper look into the NGO world and the value of youth work. The tasks I’ve been given have allowed me to step outside of my comfort zone, and I already feel more confident in taking initiative and working in a multicultural environment. I’m slowly finding my place here – both in the city and in the office. 

And most importantly, it’s the people who’ve made this beginning so meaningful. My flatmates and fellow volunteers are kind, open, and always ready to help or share a laugh. It’s comforting to know that we’re all in this together. I’m excited for what the next three months will bring. I know there’s still a lot to learn, more sunsets to watch, and a few more books waiting for me in Lisbon’s quiet corners.