This Easter holiday I went back to my ethnic country Albania and decided it was the perfect time to give back to the community. I spoke to my local bishop to offer my time with the church. I was baptised at “Katedralja Nënë Terezja” and worked at the charity home where I was able to work with two Italian nuns who guided me in helping two boys with cerebral palsy.

 

Throughout the four days I volunteered there, the two nuns, who didn’t know much Albanian themselves, taught me how to support and care for Nikola (left) and Fabian (right), which did take me far out of my comfort zone as I have never experienced caring for people with different-abilities before. I was able to grasp a different outlook on life through the two boys and how they live their day to day lives, by helping them with tasks such as building a picture board for their room and playing with bubbles to help their hand to eye coordination. One aspect that stood out to me was how neither of them was able to communicate through speech, however, we were able to communicate through non-verbal communications such as certain movements and oculesics, which did make me think of how humans can present what they feel in so many different ways that aren’t just speech.

 

I also helped out with an older group of people with down syndrome and autism by completing a colouring book with them. It was inspiring to talk to them and how they have been able to overcome their challenges even without access to advanced technology. I was very proud of the work the church has done as I could see how grateful the group of people were to have been given the resources and life skills to take them into the world and that the church has been able to build a strong inclusive community life in the county.

 

I believe that we should, as students aspiring to follow the CARE values of the school, reach out and contribute our time to help our local community (charities, homes for the elderly and others), as the knowledge and experience gained are unique compared to any other work experience and, in a world where everyone wants to be heard, all they want to do is listen.

 

 

 

Gjovani Cinari

Year 12