International volunteering in a Covid reality

Our three European Solidarity Corps (ESC) volunteers talk about their experience moving to Dublin during a global pandemic.Their dedication to the project is exemplified by their decision to stay in Ireland for Christmas, one third of their way through. This is a first. We want thank them for their invaluable contributions so far to the After Schools clubs and to wish them the merriest of Christmases in a new city with new friends.

Ines

Arriving in Dublin in the midst of the Covid-19 crisis added some anxiety to the natural excitement that precedes the beginning of a new adventure. It was the 25th of August when, surrounded by my luggage cracking at the seams, I waved at my Dad from inside the airport in Verona. Attempting to distract my mind on the flight, eventually as the plane descended I caught a glimpse of Ireland’s fluffy white clouds outside the window and in my heart I knew I would land on something soft. This feeling has been confirmed throughout my stay. The support of new friends, Solas Project staff and my brilliant supervisor has given me strength to get through initial adjustment difficulties and has motivated me to keep going.

In the mornings we prepare food for the after school clubs, a total of 35 kids. Being in the kitchen is always fun; the tunes of Dublin's radio set the pace for the lifting of heavy pots and the peeling of potato mountains. Then we are ready for the children!

For my ESC year with Solas Project I have been assigned to ”The Bridge”, located in the colourful heart of the Liberties in Dublin 8. Connecting with a lively group of pre-teens is an ongoing challenge; young people utter their playful and witty lines at the speed of light, adapting to a new kind of humour as well as finding tools to solve behavioural issues is hard but rewarding. I have shared many happy moments, creating slime from scratch and baking delicious rice krispies buns with marshmallows.

So far, I have learned so many new things: when something is really cool I can use the adjective “deadly” without any macabre implication, your runners have to be “massive” in order to be hip and there is no better way to end a hard day of work than with a warm cuppa and biscuits.

I was surprised by how friendly and welcoming the people I met were: even if the world has entered in a sort of “disconnection” mode, I have always felt connected and part of a community.

Experiencing Dublin during covid-19 was at the first glance, quite sad with pubs and places of gathering closed. However, the general stillness has also allowed me to get a unique gaze of the city and its secret corners otherwise hidden by crowd and noise.

The majestic deer of Phoenix Park, the curious herons on the Grand Canal, the scent of malted barley that blows behind the Guinness Factory, the burning sunset on Dublin's beautiful bridges. All of these are already dear souvenirs of mine that I will always carry with me.

Cecile

My name is Cecile, I am 19 years old and I am volunteering in Dublin for a year with „Solas Project“ helping look after a bunch of joyful children in the Junior After schools club (JAS). Three months in, there is already so much to tell!

My first impression of the city was how colorful it is with all of its unique doors, shops and street art, even on rainy grey days. Also, I am pleasantly surprised by how open, warm-hearted and caring Irish people are.

So far the highlight of my stay in Dublin is, that you can easily reach the coast from my accommodation to watch the sea, which I highly enjoy. The other highlights include walking along Grafton street with its shiny Christmas lights, a hot coffee in my hand or exploring Dublin‘s pretty parks.

Unfortunately, I haven’t had a chance yet, to visit museums, pubs or different cities because of lockdown level 5 restrictions. For sure it has had an impact on the quality of my time here, but now that Dublin has moved back to level 3, I am definitely going to catch up on some of those missing experiences as soon as possible.

At the beginning it felt a little bit weird to come to Ireland during the pandemic but I got used to the restrictions quite fast. Luckily just before I arrived Germany moved to the green list so I didn‘t need to quarantine for two weeks.

In short, my stay in Dublin is so far an exiting, insightful and beautiful journey with highs and lows and I am truly looking forward to spend the coming months here!

Marta

My name is Marta, I’m from Spain and I’m with the Senior After School Club (SAS).

I made this decision at the beginning of 2020, when Covid-19 was something unknown but I don’t regret it. I left my job and I adventured to this experience without knowing what to expect and, for now, I wouldn’t change a thing.

Unfortunately, due to restrictions I haven’t had the chance yet to travel around Ireland, to meet more people, to have new experiences… but I hope that during one whole year, things improve and I can do this.

Thanks to all the people around me, I have no complaints. All of them have given me support: house mates, team mates in Solas Project, strangers in the city… All the environment is magnificent.

The language for me has been the biggest challenge. The different accents, the speed, the slang… It makes you hesitate about your language skills, but with time and patience, it’s getting better and better. Come on! It has been just 3 months, at the end of the volunteering I will be an expert!

 Yes you will Marta!