In a few days, the boys and girls of the Universal Civil Service will return to Italy after eleven months of service at the offices of Pro Terra Sancta in Jerusalem and Bethlehem.
An intense year, but one that seems to have flown by due to the importance of the moments lived in a historical period as dramatic as it is significant.
This experience, marked in particular by the outbreak of the war on Gaza on 7 October, was for many an opportunity for personal and human growth. Thirteen volunteers, boys and girls with different backgrounds, have been selected to contribute to the various activities carried out by Pro Terra Sancta on site. Today, we're sharing some of their testimonials from the past year.
Giulia, who served in Bethlehem, says: "In this year I often found myself and felt powerless in the face of everything that was happening around us. What the civil service has taught me is that our contribution is valuable, even if it is small. Working on projects for the benefit of the community of Bethlehem and some families in Gaza has given meaning to us being here."
Massimiliano, who's also a volunteer in Bethlehem, adds: "My experience of the Civil Service has been extremely formative. I was catapulted into a work context that was foreign to me, having to interact daily with children with severe mental and motor disabilities. Despite the many initial difficulties, I managed to go beyond my 'limits' and appreciate and integrate perfectly into a new and difficult reality. From a social perspective, I have made numerous interesting new acquaintances, broadening my horizons and embracing a culture that was previously unfamiliar to me.
"Obviously," he continues, "the difficulties arising from the political situation have left strong aftermath and have not allowed us to live carefree and in its entirety the beautiful Palestinian reality. However, they further enlightened me on the complexity inherent in this context and on how continuous injustices perpetrated over the decades have made resistance and resilience, in the most varied meanings, two dominant traits of this people who, despite the daily difficulties, decide not to give up. This, in my opinion, can be an example for everyone, whether applied to an individual dimension or to a more amplified one."
The experience of service in Bethlehem was, as Giulia and Massimiliano recount, a unique opportunity to discover that even a small contribution can be very significant, and that situations that initially seem frightening often reserve great discoveries.
Also from Jerusalem our volunteers tell how this year has been very important and significant for them from many points of view.
Diletta tells us: "During my universal civil service in Palestine, I had the opportunity to live unforgettable experiences in contact with the local community. I met amazing people, welcoming and resilient, who taught me so much about strength and solidarity. Every day was stimulating, full of encounters and cultural exchanges that deeply enriched me. However, the current reality in Palestine has made me think deeply about the privileges we often take for granted. Living in a context of injustice and conflict opened my eyes to the sadness and difficulty that many people face on a daily basis. This experience made me more aware of the importance of justice and peace, and of our duty not to remain indifferent in the face of the suffering of others."
Margherita continues: "I believe that the Civil Service represents an excellent opportunity for anyone who wants to enter the world of work and live abroad for a year. I am grateful to have spent a year of my life in Jerusalem as it is a unique city in the world that has allowed me to meet and get to know extraordinary people."
Maryam, talking about the work done, says: "This year has flown by, yet at the same time it has never seemed to pass. Being a volunteer civil service worker in Jerusalem in the year in which the world's geopolitical balances, as we knew them, changed forever, means learning to listen and observe. I would say that it has been a year full of discoveries. My work at the cultural heritage office of the Terra Sancta Museum has been a very positive experience. One of the most interesting activities was moving behind the scenes of the exhibitions. I learned how to draw up the lists and conditions of contracts for the loan of objects belonging to the museum and intended for temporary exhibitions abroad."
"It has not always been easy both logistically and psychologically," he adds, "because due to the current situation, the work has gone very slowly, and some projects have even been postponed. Not giving in to a negative feeling of frustration has been a huge challenge, but it has undeniably led us to grow on a human and social level. On this point we helped each other as volunteers, and I add that we were really lucky because a strong union was created right from the start, which led us to create a family bond and a feeling of friendship and sincere support. It hasn't been an easy year, but growing up is never easy. The people we are now are not the people we were a year ago, and that's the main goal when you go through an experience like this."
Lucia concludes: "It has been a complex year but one that has also reserved some beautiful discoveries. I visited many places and met different people. The beginning of the war in October was the watershed of this experience. Living in Jerusalem in recent months has allowed me to see with my own eyes the indirect consequences of the conflict. There was no shortage of moments of discouragement about the situation, but it was nice to see that I was not alone in facing them."
The experience of civil service in the Holy Land represented for these young people a unique opportunity for growth and learning, both professionally and personally. Their commitment has made a strong contribution to the projects that Pro Terra Sancta carries out in Jerusalem and Bethlehem. New friendships, encounters with new cultures, discovery of oneself and one's limits but also of strengths and potential. This was the experience of the Civil Service for the thirteen young people who will soon return to Italy, not without a bit of nostalgia.
We sincerely thank our volunteers for their valuable contribution and wish them all the best for the future. We are ready to welcome the new volunteers as soon as the political situation allows, with the hope that they too can live an equally enriching and meaningful experience.
