O testemunho No.1 da Alice (Crescer a Cores)

 

I arrived in Lisbon on September 7th. I remember that the first week here was very difficult: I was confused and disoriented, I didn’t really know why I had decided to leave and abandon my comfort zone, and I was scared of not finding anyone I could truly connect with and of being in a place I didn’t consider my home.

Little by little, however, I pushed myself out of my comfort zone and met many wonderful people. I created my own group of friends to go out and have fun with, and together we try to see as many places in Portugal as possible. I’ve visited cities like Porto and Braga, I went to the Azores, and I did a two-day hike in the Algarve.

Beyond all this, I now consider them an integral part of this experience, and without them, being here wouldn’t be the same.

As for my project, I work in a nursery school called “Crescer a Cores.” When I arrived, I didn’t have many expectations about the service or the educational staff, but after these first months here, I can absolutely say that it is one of the most welcoming and stimulating places I have ever worked in.

Everyone speaks Portuguese, and I am slowly trying to learn it. Despite this language barrier, the educators are all so kind and have always tried in every way to make me feel like part of their family (because it truly feels like one). I remember that during one of my first weeks here, a colleague announced that she was pregnant and told me as if I were an old friend. She hugged me as if she had known me for a lifetime, and that was one of the first moments when I realized that the people there are truly special. It’s a place where you can feel such a strong sense of family that it makes me forget I am far from Italy.

To sum up these first months in Lisbon, I can definitely say that I feel really good, free, and light. I can’t wait to discover what the future holds for this experience.

O testemunho No.2 da Ilaria

My volunteering experience here in Lisbon has come to an end and I still haven't realised it. Before leaving, six months seemed like a very long time, and now it seems like they have flown by. It has been an intense period, full of emotions, experiences, people, music, exchanges, gestures and care.

I have learnt so much about myself and the world, and I have grown thanks to the constant

interaction and sharing with all the people who have been part of my project at Spin.

Life at Anjos has been magical. Feminine energy, mutual help, sharing knowledge and advice,

and all those little personal details that together have created a welcoming and warm

environment.

Each of us showed our light and our shadow with confidence.

It was curious to see the dynamics create themselves and then change and settle down, only to change again.

One of the most important things about this experience is that I learned a new way of living in a group, and for this I will always be grateful to Spin, Lisbon and all the people who were part of my Portuguese life.

I will miss all of this!

My relationship with Lisbon was also fundamental. It was the perfect setting for the inner work

that this experience required me to do. A city surrounded by nature, easily accessible. Full of

music and events of all kinds.

But above all, it was full of people from every corner of the world, which was super stimulating

for me. Two things I certainly won't miss: the hellish climbs and the slippery pavements.

However, considering that thanks to those climbs, the miradouros exist, perhaps I should

change my mind.

At work, I learned many things and, above all, I came into contact with the world of associations,

about which I knew little. One element that impressed me and made me reflect is non-formal

education. I think it is really the best way to learn and train, without performativity or hierarchies.

I conclude this experience with a heart full of gratitude.

On-arrival training testimonies - SPIN volunteers (Gaia, Ilaria, Jule, Veronica)

Our SPIN volunteers, Gaia, Ilaria, Jule and Veronica, just completed the mandatory On-Arrival Training organized by the National Agency! Read their honest feedback below:

Ilaria Gallo

Last week I took part in my first volunteer training course in Paredes, near Porto.We were a large group of young volunteers from various parts of Portugal. Each of us brought our own talents, knowledge, challenges and fears with us.

I am very grateful to my trainers for their energy and for creating a safe space for all of us volunteers to share our emotions, experiences, vulnerabilities and lots of laughter. They were very flexible, respecting the pace of the group, and thorough in providing us with all the important and entertaining information.

I loved my group, and we formed some really beautiful connections that I hope to cultivate in the future.

After creating the group agreement, which arose from sharing our common needs, we began the activities. The activities were proposed according to the principles of non-formal education. What a joy! No hierarchies, playfulness, and respect for everyone's needs. I think it's really the best way to learn without even realizing it. A spontaneous collaboration emerged within the group, bringing out everyone's talents and helping us to support each other in our difficulties.

During the open space, many interesting workshops were proposed, involving body, soul and mind, making it a truly rich and intense day.

I feel truly enriched by this experience and want to treasure all the lessons I have learned. 

Gaia Mascioli

When I found out I was going to take part in the on-arrival training in Paredes, I felt a mix of excitement and curiosity. Some of my flatmates, already doing their ESC volunteering projects, had told me how meaningful their training had been — a space full of exchange, inspiration, and new friendships. So with high hopes and an open heart, I packed my bag and got ready for this new chapter in Portugal. 

We kicked things off with some icebreaking games, which were fun and helped lighten the mood. But I was honestly disappointed when they split us into fixed groups on the very first day, because the group divisions kind of boxed us in and limited those opportunities.

The activities themselves were well-structured and often inspiring. We talked about our ESC experience, the projects we were working on, the challenges we were facing, and practical things like pocket money and insurance. It was a mix of personal reflection and useful info. But what I struggled with the most was the lack of real, deep conversations within my group. Even though the sessions were designed to encourage sharing, I often felt like people were holding back or just not that interested. The discussions stayed pretty surface-level, and the facilitators didn’t really push us to go deeper. I tried to bring in honest questions and open up a bit, but I didn’t always get the kind of response I was hoping for.

The facilitators were kind and well-organized when it came to logistics, but emotionally and relationally, I felt something was missing. The tone of the sessions — sometimes too light or overly playful — felt a bit off for a group of young adults who were already used to responsibility and eager for meaningful dialogue. A lot of the creative activities (like making short videos or building things) were fun to do, but then… nothing. They weren’t watched, discussed, or acknowledged. It felt like the effort we put in wasn’t really seen, and that slowly drained people’s motivation. When your input isn’t valued, it’s only natural to stop feeling as engaged.

One activity that really stood out to me, though, was the “walk and talk.” We walked around the town in small groups and tackled some big questions — about the EU, its global role, what we’re grateful for, what we find frustrating. It was during that walk that I had a powerful exchange that reminded me what feels “normal” or “basic” to us is often far from accessible or guaranteed for others outside EU borders. That was one of the few moments when I truly felt the richness of this multicultural space — where someone else’s story helped me see the world in a different light.

Despite the ups and downs, I still feel that this experience gave me a lot. Could it have been better? Probably. But am I happy I went? Absolutely. Because I’ve realized that things don’t need to be perfect to be meaningful. Sometimes, it’s in the gaps — the awkward silences, the things that didn’t quite work — that we grow the most. I’ve learned that if I want something different, I need to build it myself. And I can. One conversation, one connection, one day at a time. In simple words, I’ve learned not to expect every space to meet my needs perfectly because I can shape my own space and discover my strengths along the way.

Jule Mangani:

From the 14th to the 19th of July my volunteer mates and I went to our on arrival training. We were accommodated in a nice hotel in Paredes, and warmly welcomed with some drinks and some "get to know each other" games. We met about 40 other volunteers who are currently in portugal. We were divided into smaller groups to get to know each other better. Each day we were taken by bus to the place where we had our activities, we spent the 4 days of intense training doing activities : team building, roleplay, games, debates, but we also had more formal moments of information about our rights and duties as volunteers, We had the possibility to share about our volunteering experiences, present our project, discuss about the potentiel tricky situations or conflict that we might have. I was very happy to discover the projects of the other participants, which were really different from each other. I enjoyed the diversity of ages, nationality, and mindsets of our group, we all had the chance to speak our minds about the topics that interest us regarding our experience in Portugal, and it was consistent to hear the opinions of our colleagues and of our trainers.

The formal activities of the week were from 9 to 18 everyday, such a busy programme. If I have to be honest, it was a little too intense for me, but it was also because of my doing since I didn't really use my free time to rest. Unfortunately for me I felt the activities and assignments were a bit "school like", and I have very poor concentration skills and investment motivation in this kind of situation, so the week felt a little long for me!

I did like spending time with new people but such a big group of strangers did generate some anxiety, with the frustration of not getting to know them better in the little time that we had and with the number of participants. As for our stay, I enjoyed the comfy hotel and my very nice roommate, the food was nice, except for the one in the place we had lunch, which was a little lower quality. Regarding the activities themselves, I enjoyed doing some casual little games but lacked motivation in the more demanding exercises. As for the content of the informative moments, I found them a bit outdated for a majority of volunteers who had been here for 5 or 6 months. If I could suggest improvements, I would ask for a session about the funding of Erasmus projects and ESC, in order to understand better what actually allows us to participate in such projects and to participate in such a week. I would also have liked a module on mental health, since I believe it is a relevant topic to be addressed, especially for young people who are for a lot of them living on their own for the first time. 

Let's see how the midterm training goes, fortunately it will be shorter and we will have already met some of the participants!

Veronica Hidalgo:

My experience during the arrival training was incredible. I met so many new people, some of whom were residents of Lisbon. During this week, I learned about different cultures, especially Portuguese culture. I also learned about my rights and obligations, how to handle different situations, and how to express my thoughts and fears during my volunteering experience. I loved the experience; it was definitely one of the best weeks so far.

O testemunho final da Elena (Junta de Fregusia do Lumiar)

 

It would be difficult to separate these three months of ESC volunteer from my stay in lisbon. This much- loved city has in fact hosted me for more than a year now , gifting me one of the most vivid and rich periods of my life. I came here as part of an italian civil service project, working in an organizations that supports the integration of migrants and people with addictions. I felt right away part of this dynamic and multi-faceted city, and was able to become friend with locals and people from different backgrounds.

In fact, I consider myself a very outgoing, curious person . It is very easy to maintain social relationships in this city because sometimes it seems more like a village, where you can meet familiar faces on the street or in the many social centers of the city.

Being politically very active, I immediately took part in diverse social movements alive in the city. Supporting various anti-fascist collectives and taking part in a percussions group. I was playing a big drum during the protests that often take place in the city center, supporting causes such as the liberation of Palestine , housing rights or the climate struggle. In addition to my work and later ESC volunteering, I have participated in` parallel volunteering actions in different neighborhoods, gaining a very broad human and territorial knowledge. Understanding better the multiple aspects and dynamics that compose this city.

During this past year I have managed to give continuity to some long-standing passions, such as rock climbing (the surroundings of lisbon offer many opportunities for outdoor climbing ), painting (Joining a live drawing group) and theater ( participating in an improvisation theater workshop in my neighborhood). At the same time I discovered new passions and hobbies, such as playing drums and practicing bio dance. As a lifelong lover of music and festivals, Portugal is the ideal country for discovering new artists and traditional dances. In fact, I have had the opportunity to attend countless cultural and musical events, all over the territory, enriching me immensely.

Of course, my experience would not be the same without the people who have accompanied me and been close to me. I feel very lucky and grateful for these encounters and friendships that i hope to carry with me for a long time to come. All these elements made sure that at the end of my community service I wasn't ready to leave Portugal, and was lucky enough to be accepted to participate in an ESC volunteer project with Spin organization, based in Lisbon. I was active as a volunteer for three months in an after school program in the Lumiar neighborhood. I was volunteering in two after school programs , accompanying the work of educators in classes of 30 children.

Right away I was integrated into the team, and the educators explained how to best interact with the kids. In fact, many children have special needs * mental and physical, and various types of disabilities. I must say that it was the first time for me to work with children with disabilities and at first it was not easy to understand how I could be helpful and interact with those kids. It was a challenge also because of the large number of children and the energy used to organize various activities ( sports, painting, theater..et) every day.

After a few weeks I got used to the rhythm , also thanks to the help of the other educators who always accompanied me and spurred me to organize activities. The days passed quickly as each day is different from the other and there are never empty moments. The children are from 9 to 11 years old, they are very curious and energetic and always invited me to participate in their games. The fact that I speak Portuguese definitely was a big plus, and talking to the children surely added a lot of vocabulary.

In general I belive that this volunteering has made me a more patient and proactive person . Initially i was supposed to do 8 months of volunteering, and I only did 3 months because I got a job offer that i didn't want to give up. I am very thankful that I had the chance to participate in this ESC volunteering and I would always recommend to take part in this kind of projects.

O testemunho final do Mattia (Spin)

The first thing I noticed about Lisbon was the planes. When you look up at the sky you see planes coming and going every few minutes thanks to the airport being located in the city, unlike many other European capitals. A plane brought me here almost a year ago, almost by luck and chance. Lisbon and Portugal were never in my plans honestly. I had already been living abroad and the only thing I knew for certain is that I wanted another experience living in another country. 

Lisbon and Spin came very unexpectedly, and I had almost no time to think over on my decision. Now, a year later, I’m grateful that my doubts didn’t get the best of me. 
It was a long and eventful year, It started by going to the beach on my first weekend and it ended on a miradouro with some fireworks, watching a view that now feels like home. 

I admit that during my first weeks in Lisbon, I felt like something was missing, and the city didn’t capture me as much as other cities I’ve previously visited. But then, after a while, the azulejos, the hills, and the amazing views all became too alluring for me to not cave in and to fall in love with a city that has so much to offer, culturally and socially. A year later, I had so many great experiences in this city, I discovered new passions and I met so many amazing people that contributed to making this year so special. 

A special thanks go to all my flatmates in Casa Anjos, the ones who helped me settle in at the beginning (seriously, I couldn’t have asked for a better group of flatmates and friends) and the ones who arrived at the end of my journey, It was fun to see how much different my knowledge of Lisbon and of the people here was compared to one year ago, I hoped to have helped the newcomers to settle in the best possible way. 

But the purpose of my stay in Lisbon was to work in the office of Spin: everyone immediately welcomed me with open arms, and from the beginning, I was assigned tasks that kept me occupied and busy. Although the last months were more relaxed (and I wished I’d been more proactive in asking for more to do) I still had overall a wonderful time and I’ll always cherish the memories I made, the trip to Marseille with other volunteers is for sure a highlight of this project.

Working at Spin gave me the chance to get to know myself better, and to have a taste of what it’s like to work in a multicultural office. I had many tasks over the year, and although I wish I could have done more in some areas and learned better how to work in an NGO world, I’m still proud of what I’ve accomplished and the things I’ve learned. 

I cherish all the youth exchanges, training courses, and the “Live it Lisbon” projects in the summer, long hours, exhausting at times, but always entertaining, especially thanks to my fellow volunteers who were there to help me every step of the way.

And now I’d like to thank all the volunteers that I work with: every one of you made my day better at the office and I love spending time with all of you. In particular, I want to say thank you to my friend Vedran, with whom we shared not just an office, but also a house for a year: you are an amazing friend and coworker, and I’m so grateful that I’ve got to work with you and I was able to learn many things about content creation and the NGO world. 

Volunteering and this project taught me many things, and I’m now looking forward to what’s next, I know that whatever comes, I’ll be able to rise to the challenge and experience another chapter of my life with a positive mindset.

Até logo Lisboa,

Mattia

O testemunho final do Riccardo (Bola p’ra Frente)

These are my last days in Lisbon, I have to write some words about my experience here and I thought it was a good idea to go in a very sentimental place to do it. Now I just want to cry cause the nostalgic feeling is hitting too hard and it’s super difficult to write with blurred eyes.

I’m in Jardim do Rio, Almada, in the margem sul. I decided to come here because from this point it’s possible to see all Lisbon from west to east, that is from the Belém tower to a massive cruise ship docked in front of Alfama, the most historical area of the city. The sunset from this spot is stunning, in this moment the pinky clouds are reflecting on the Tejo River and I am completely immersed in this pinky atmosphere linking the sky to the river. wished to have amazing photography skills to frame this picture, but I tried and from my phone you can barely recognise Lisbon. I got distracted by the view, I was saying that I decided to come here because from this place it’s possible to see all the city from the outside, exactly like I’m watching my almost one year in Lisbon now.

I don’t think I can summarise my eleven months here, so I will just write at what point I am right now pretending you know exactly what I’m talking about.

I did the volunteer activities for the Associação Nacional Futebol de Rua, I have spent my energy for the kids of the association and I tried to use my time in there for them. Probably I could have done more for the association’s activities, I didn’t have a lot of sense of initiative in proposing new activities, but I’m happy that I managed to connect and stay close to many kids there, I cared a lot about them and I think in the ANFR everyone noticed this. I’m bringing back home a t-shirt signed by every kid of the association and with the t-shirt a lot of other things. I’m bringing back the constancy of Mafalda, who is always in the association with a great attitude. The honesty and bravery of Anderson in expressing himself. The cuteness and sympathy of Jorge, Bryan and Erika. The empathy of João and Gustavo, always looking for the lasts. The individual evolution of Telmo during the year. The curiosity of Lara and Rodrigo. The discipline of Erika. The younger brother's relationship with Emanuel, and a lot of other things.
It’s the first time for me to enter in the life of a different community and I like to think I am leaving, at least in part, as one of them.

Being a volunteer though is not something that applies just to the activities of the association. I spent one year (almost) living a communitarian life, living with less, sharing all my time and space with someone. I had to consider for all this time the cheapest solutions and soon I found myself very comfortable in the cheap world. A lot of things were not necessary anymore and my drive easily shifted to the essential. Lisbon for sure helped me in this process, it seems the perfect city for this and it’s very easy to find people with the same mindset.

I met people who drastically changed my life’s prospects, people who are not driven by crazy ambitious career dreams but just by the simple idea of experiencing life.

Now the sky is dark and the nostalgic feeling is not the only thing hitting hard since it’s getting very windy, it is difficult to write a conclusion because I was too optimistic not wearing a jacket and my hands are freezing. I am going to enjoy my last days in Lisbon totally aware that they will not be my real last ones. I will come back soon, the connections here are too strong. I am sure I will write a proper conclusion next time.

O testemunho final da Elena (Crescer a Cores)

 Better late than never.

The original version of this story is missing—at least it hasn’t been published yet—but it’s carefully guarded in a folder on my old PC. In this version, I’ll try to be more restrained, less emotional, and focus on unraveling all the tangled memories.

One year. Twelve months in Lisbon.

The longest stretch I’ve been away from home. At first, it was tough, I won’t deny that. But now, it feels like it was meant to be. Like a character from one of those romantic movies, I write while walking in the rain. Damn Lisbon in October. I write and walk, without using the navigator. I must have walked this street a hundred times, back and forth, from home to Graça, from my bed to the Botequim.

I’m walking now near Desgraça, the first social center I discovered here—raw, gritty, alive. Lisbon is full of these spaces, where ideas are traded over a one-euro beer. It’s still raining. I never bought an umbrella, even though winters here can be relentless. “It’s always raining,” they say, and this time, they’re right.

To my left is the cheapest Nepali restaurant in town, Sabor do Nepal. Inside, three Ikea paintings still hang, unwrapped, as if waiting for something. One is a terrifying clown. The walls are painted in loud reds and blues. It was my first Nepali meal in Lisbon. This city is full of places to eat—at a Tasca early in the month, or at an Indian or Thai spot when money runs low… And halal kebabs in Intendente at 4 a.m., all month long.

The 28E eléctrico rattles by, almost soaking me. It’s packed with tourists, even now, in this weather, at this hour. Tourists are always around, and once, I was one of them. But that feeling has faded; for months now, I haven’t identified as a tourist. My parents, my friends, everyone who’s visited—they were tourists, though. I became their guide, showing them around, discovering something new with each group, each time a little amazed, and each time feeling a small pang of regret because the last visitors “missed this.”

I’ve traveled plenty, driving across southern Portugal, exploring those stretches untouched by mass tourism. I woke up to the wild beaches of the Costa Vicentina. I love that place, and the thought of going back one day stays with me, like a promise.

The rain is pouring now, a full storm. I stop under an awning, waiting it out. Next to me, two guys are speaking German, eating ice cream. Lisbon is such a melting pot of lives, people, and cultures. From the young ones chasing their dreams to the elderly Portuguese men who have lived here all their lives. The old men in hats, jackets, and with canes—they’re my favorites on the 747 bus that takes me to work every morning.

Starting work in a new place, not knowing the language, was hard. It was my first time in a school. Just weeks before the end of my project, I realized how far I’d come. Could I have done things differently? Certainly. The early months were difficult; not being able to communicate forced me to live mechanically. Every day felt the same—going out, heading to the Padre Cruz neighborhood, entering Crescer a Cores, doing my tasks: helping, cleaning, playing with the children, helping them take care of themselves, and then cleaning again. It was mechanical, like factory work. Like Charlie Chaplin, lost in thought while chaos happens all around. I could have been bolder, sooner. But I’m glad I am now.

In these last few months, I’ve become more involved, more dynamic, eager to make the most of this opportunity. The responsibilities I’m given now are rewarding, though sometimes overwhelming. Still, I’m happy with what I do.

Lisbon isn’t a city just to be looked at—it’s a city to be lived. It can be so quiet in the winter months, but it bursts to life with summer’s arrival. June. The Santos Populares and endless nights in Graça and Mouraria.

The rain is easing up. It’s time to move on. In Largo da Graça, you can see the road leading up to Alfama. Damas is up there, one of the first places I went dancing. I’ve danced so much in Lisbon—more than anywhere else, with more intensity, for longer hours. I’ve danced to everything: funk, samba, Portuguese music, electronic beats, house, commercial tunes, even powerful rave music.

I turn the corner and arrive at the Miradouro de Graça. You live Lisbon in the streets, but it’s from up here, looking down, that you truly fall in love with it. The Miradouro da Senhora do Monte at night offers a breathtaking view: starting from the left, you see the Castelo de São Jorge, the Tejo, the lights across the river, the Ponte 25 de Abril, and Martim Moniz plaza. All so mismatched, yet so beautiful.

My friends are waiting for me now. There’s sure to be a liter of Vinho Verde and a tosta 3 queijos (that tastes only of garlic) ready for me. What a heavy combo. Tomorrow, I’ll need to wake up for work at Bairro Padre Cruz. Thankfully, one of my roommates will take on the task of waking me.

In many ways, my time in Lisbon can be summarized by this walk—from home to Graça, from my bed to the Botequim. The only street without steps.

Now, the rain falls only from the balconies above. I reach my group—volunteers, friends, lovers, and fellow travelers. My evening begins here.

I go.

Bye, baci stellari,

Ele