Gianluca: “It is invaluable to speak to refugees in their native language”

Gianluca is a student of International Law and Cooperation, he is also studying Arabic and in his free time he likes to take pictures.

He heard about the opportunity to work as a volunteer at Caritas Sofia through the European Solidarity Corps and in a competition of 150 people he was selected to become part of our organization for a longer period of time. Luca, as we all call him, arrives in Sofia in October 2024 with the desire to gain first-hand experience in social work and working with refugees.

Here he is responsible for the packaging and delivery of food prepared in our social kitchen, participates in the activities of the various centers and helps create content on social networks and the Caritas Sofia website.

“I wrote my bachelor’s thesis on the topic of ‘Compatibility between Sharia and International Humanitarian Law: An Integrated Approach’, as I really wanted to volunteer abroad and gain first-hand experience with social work and Arab communities. When Caritas Sofia selected me, I immediately realized that this was a golden opportunity for me, as Bulgaria is one of the main points on migration routes – especially for migrants coming from the Middle East aiming to reach Western Europe. Its geographical location, bordering Turkey and Greece, makes it a gateway to the European Union.

One of my favorite things to do during my work here is driving my car all over Sofia to deliver food and clothes to different Caritas centers, of course listening to Italian classical music. I think my colleagues are also starting to appreciate Italian music (laughs). I am lucky because the cooks in the social kitchen are Lebanese and with great patience on their part we speak Arabic. Every day they teach me new words and correct my pronunciation, which I try to improve in our conversation the next day.

Caritas Sofia also gave me the opportunity to meet young refugees from the Bulgarian registration and reception centers. It is invaluable to be able to say a few words in their native language. They are extraordinary boys who came here without parents, with heartbreaking stories! I think the opportunity to talk to these young people in Arabic during work really makes a difference. It immediately creates a connection and they start to accept you in a different way. I am grateful to Caritas Sofia for the chance and contacts it provided me.

Another thing I really love is taking photos and writing materials for the organization’s website and social networks. Whenever I travel, I bring my camera and I have many chances to take great photos during social work activities with migrants, the Roma community and the homeless.”