My name is Bartosz and I come from Poland.
It’s been just over six months of my ten-month project since I began my adventure with FRSP and EUROSUD and moved to the charming town of Triggiano, Italy. In that time, I’ve completely fallen for the Italian way of life—from the sunny weather and delicious Pugliese cuisine to the warm atmosphere and my daily activities with EUROSUD.
My weekly schedule is full and diverse: I teach English to children at a school in Capurso, I prepare food packages in Food Bank, help prepare meals at the Ristorante Sociale, and attend Italian language classes.
Every Monday with great enthusiasm, I get to roll up my sleeves and help prepare traditional Italian dishes at the Social Kitchen. Every cooking session is an exciting adventure—chopping, stirring, and learning the secrets behind authentic recipes like pasta al forno, melanzane alla parmigiana, or seasonal vegetable dishes. It’s not just about food—it’s about community, connection, and sharing through every plate we serve. Being part of this warm and welcoming kitchen has been one of the most rewarding and flavorful experiences of my volunteering journey!
Volunteering at the food bank has been a meaningful and worthwhile experience. Each time I go in, I help prepare food packages for families in need by organizing items like canned goods, fresh produce, and pantry staples. It’s a practical way to support others and contribute to the community. The atmosphere is friendly and cooperative, and working alongside others toward a shared goal adds a nice sense of connection. It’s a simple way to make a positive impact and a great gym exercise.
Volunteering with Little Readers has been a really meaningful experience. Each week, I read English books to primary school children, helping them improve their language skills in a fun and engaging way. It’s been rewarding to see how much they enjoy the stories and how their understanding and confidence in English have grown over time. The kids are always curious and interested, and it’s nice to be part of something that supports their education in such a positive, approachable way. It’s a simple but impactful way to contribute.
Attending a public Italian course in Bari has been a practical and helpful way to improve my language skills. The classes are structured but accessible, and the environment is welcoming, with people from various backgrounds coming together to learn. The course has helped me build more confidence in speaking and understanding Italian, and it’s been a steady step forward in settling into life here.
In the meantime I embrace local culture and architecture with a lot of one day trips in beautiful area of Apulia, which includes famous places like Alberobello and Polignano a Mare, and many, many one day trips on bike around the beautiful coast which are personally my favorite.
Overall I cannot appreciate enough how great experience it is, and how much I enjoy it.
I can strongly recommend ESC projects to everyone!
