My Civilian Service in Jordan
Hi I'm Stefania and I'm doing Universal Civil Service abroad with the John Paul II Foundation.
I have been in Jordan for four months now, and immediately I was included in the implementation of the Bothoor* project, which focuses on facilitating the creation of decent work opportunities in the agriculture sector for Jordan's most vulnerable population and the Syrian refugee population. I immediately immersed myself in the culture and everyday life of these people. Thanks to the Bothoor project, in addition to acquiring various technical skills, I was able to visit many inland areas of Jordan and observe the reality of small farmers, learning their traditions and customs.
It is very satisfying to see how the office work takes shape as a result of the trainings, the kit distributions, and the achievement of the set goals. It is gratifying to see the smiles on the faces of the people who participate in the trainings with a lot of commitment. It is even nicer to come back and find the same associations selected at the beginning and discover that they have put into practice all that they have deepened thanks to the project and are looking forward to proudly displaying the fruit of their efforts: the lush plantings that have sprung up from only small pots.
But the most exciting part is the daily exchange, is the sharing, is the extreme kindness of the locals. It's sitting at the table with the women beneficiaries of the project, it's accepting every coffee they offer you even if only to not come across as rude, it's using the few words of Arabic you know and being told in an enthusiastic tone that you are great and sound like a native speaker, it's going to the associations to deliver kits and seeing tables set up full of typical dishes for everyone to have lunch together as a sign of gratitude. It is the extreme gratitude of every beneficiary when you actually realize you are receiving more than you are giving.
Stefania Errico,
Civilist Bothoor project in Jordan
*Project funded by the Italian Development Cooperation Agency.
