 Simone Sgarbossa Italy Short Course: Lithuania Social Service Coordinator, UWC of the Adriatic | Being a part of UWC has truly made a difference to my life – without it, I certainly would not have gone to Rwanda... |
Short Course graduate, Simone Sgarbossa, is the Social Service Coordinator at UWC of the Adriatic, but before he joined the staff at the College he was putting UWC's service philosophy into practice under the shadow of the smoky cone of the Nyiragongo volcano in Rwanda.
“As a conscientious objector to compulsory military service – which still existed in Italy until 2005 – I worked in the international civil service as part of a project called Caschi Bianchi (White Helmets),” says Simone.
The project comes under the remit of Caritas Italiana, a Catholic organisation working in the field of relief, development and social service. It is part of an international humanitarian network centred on integral development, emergency relief, advocacy, peace building and human rights. Simone’s main duties involve managing an education and micro-financing project between Caritas Italiana and Caritas Rwanda, which involves overseeing the daily running of the project and working closely with local colleagues.
The project is based in the city of Gisenyi on the edge of Lake Kivu, which borders the Congo. “According to the travel guide, this is ‘a resort town for rich Rwandans and expatriate workers,’” says Simone, “but the town is actually split in two, between the wealthy area on the lakeshore, and a much poorer and underdeveloped part stretching out towards the hills – with the volcano in the background.”
As well as the main project, Simone initiated and taught free English lessons for the local participants and organised and facilitated free drama activities for young people in the area. He is also worked as the project translator.
“I first became involved with UWC when I participated in the 1995 Short Course held in Troškunai, Lithuania. After that I took part in several UWC reunions and I had the opportunity to be actively involved again when I facilitated the 2002 Montenegro Short Course.”
In 2004 he was first introduced to UWC of the Adriatric when on a visit home to Italy he also visited the College, participating in one of their International Affairs and Focus events. “I talked to the students about my experiences, both with UWC and in Rwanda. Being a part of UWC has truly made a difference to my life – without it, I certainly would not have gone to Rwanda: the heart of Africa.”