Migrants and Refugees Assistance & Integration Support

I wanted to learn about the asylum seekers migrating to Italy and help in what ever way I could. At the centre I was able to use my teaching and social work skills. I realised the centre needed assistance with collating their data so that they could promote the work that they do, so I wrote up an information sheet on what they had achieved last year. They also needed an induction package for students and volunteers so I developed that. I gave a few English classes as some of the guys were keen to improve their English. The staff worked closely as a team and were very supportive of volunteers. You get to interact with the guests staying at the centre and you could come up with some activities and projects that you think the centre and guests would benefit from. Speaking some Italian, English, French or Arabic will assist in communicating with staff and guests.

My month in Naples was unforgettable. The accommodation was in an excellent location right in the city center. It was very dynamic to live there with a dozen other university students. It was easy to make friends, and we soon did everything together: day trips, nights out, meals. For my internship, I worked with refugee minors, and it was incredibly moving to hear their personal stories. I accompanied them during cultural activities, including cooking classes, artistic workshops, and sports practice. I shadowed paralegals, cultural mediators, and social workers. I also helped improve their English and French through persistent dialogue. Naples is a city with a big personality, so it's easy to have a lot of fun and learn a lot. As a young woman, I also never felt unsafe (even at night). I highly recommend this trip to all (especially foodies, adventurists, and those passionate about immigration).

I had such a positive experience volunteering at an asylum seekers camp in Naples. At the camp we were supported by the social workers but were also given the opportunity and space to do what we felt would make a difference; they encouraged us to use our own strengths and passions to start our own initiatives. I worked on a campaign to raise money for the newly founded NGO Ponti Rossi, the funds from which will support the migrant football team Ponti Rossi SC, provide the migrants at the camp with vital dental care and also sponsor social events. Alongside this I went to their football games, made content for social media and taught English lessons. At the camp, you will also be in a place where you will first hand be able to learn about migration and its struggles. Everyone was very friendly and welcoming and it is also a great place to improve your Italian speaking skills.

Naples itself is an exciting and vibrant city. It is wonderfully chaotic. The food is amazing, the architecture is beautiful and the people are welcoming. I never felt unsafe but just be sensible.

I had the expierence of working in an asylum-seekers camp in Naples, where I got learn about some of the difficulties about migration issues in Italy and Europe in general. Naples is a very unique city in Europe, and contains the best of both world. You will live and eat very well, and be met by the incredible hospitality of Neapolitans, but also have to deal loudness of traffic and at times ineffective public transportation. So be patient and be adaptable, and you will have a great time in Napoli.

Me myself, I had the unique experience of taking part in the foundation of a new NGO Associazione Ponti Rossi, in which we aim to provide better sporting opportunities for migrants and asylum-seekers. Through this, I also got to play football along the migrants and learn about different parts of the world. Coming from a western developed countries, it is a good experience and will for sure help widen your horizon and understanding of the migration issue in Europe.

I did 10 weeks of volunteer work at centro Nana in Napoli, a centre that works with minor migrants and tries to help them integrate in Italian/European society. It was not always easy, as the language barrière was quite an issue, not only with the migrants but also with the staff. I speak english en french, so I could talk with some of the migrants and a part of the staff, but it was not always easy. Yet I really enjoyed my time here and I leave again with a great feeling, as I learned a lot. Not only from the way they work at the centre and what they do, but also from the migrants themselves. It was great to Get to know them and very interesting to talk with them. I leave napoli with a lot of information and a great experience. Also at the appartement where we stayed at in napoli together with other volunteers I had a great time and made some great friends. I would really recommend doing something like this, as It has really helped me as a person, learned so much and made great friends as well. I really enjoyed the city and will defintely come back one Day.