These are difficult times for Italy. The economic crisis that began in 2007 has resulted in high unemployment and a very stagnant economy. The headlines tell of the increased exodus of the educated young people to other European countries and the ongoing turmoil within the central government. On a personal level, it has touched me as we walk through Como and we are approached by people asking for spare change or money for food.
It also took me only a couple of months here to realize that I was not cut out to just hang out with friends and look for social activities while Dave is at work everyday. I am thoroughly enjoying my explorations and outings but it is not enough. My careers in health care and education taught me that service to others is fulfilling and gives meaning to one's life. Each time, someone asked me for some money, I knew I wanted to find a way to help in a more systemic way. I figured the first step would be to focus on learning to speak better Italian so I could begin to figure out how to get involved.
At Christmas, I heard about Casa Vincenziana which is a local facility which runs both a group home for teenage girls and provides a daily community meal. I found out it is located about four blocks from my apartment and is run by a Catholic charity. I walked by a few times but could never figure out how to get in so I finally returned at lunch time and found the door open as it was near serving time. They directed me to Sister Guilia, who is in charge and I used my beginner Italian to offer my services as a volunteer. Together, we decided that it would be best for me to start helping in the dining room and then as my language skills improve, I may be able to spend some time helping in the girls' home. Sister Guilia told me to show up the next Monday at 10 AM.
I showed up and joined the Monday crew and was quickly shown the routine as we prepared to serve lunch to approximately 100 adults. The dining room is modest with 30 seats so the meal is served in three or four shifts. The guests are registered with the charity and line up each day in the courtyard. The meal is a typical Italian one with fresh bread, a pasta course and a meat course. One of the other volunteers knew some English but I quickly realized that this will be an immersion language experience for sure. One of the first things I learned was to know if the meat was "carne di maiale" (pork) when asked by Muslim guests. They are then offered an alternate vegetable or cheese entree. The two nuns who run the facility (Sister Guilia and Sister Graziella) are kind but no-nonsense tough with some of the guests. They extended the same attitude, with a smile, to me when they said that they expected me to be speaking only Italian when they are done with me.
Each time I go, I am impressed by the organization and dedication of the staff and volunteers. The people I meet, both the other volunteers and the guests we are serving, remind me so much of the people I met volunteering in Cleveland. That is one more step toward feeling at home in Como.
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