Luca and Franca

We would like to share this beautiful message we received: We are Luca and Franca, a married couple who have been retired for a few years. Since we have some time available, we thought of dedicating it to volunteering, thus putting into practice the values of solidarity we believe in. We decided to do it as a couple, using our relationship and our habit of doing things together as a strength, while still maintaining our individuality.

When the war in Ukraine broke out, we felt fear, dismay, and helplessness. We learned that a collection of essential goods had been organized at the Arsenale to help the civilian population, and we decided to go and see if we could also be useful.

When we arrived at the Arsenale, we were surprised and moved to see both the number of people donating and the frantic activity of volunteers sorting and preparing parcels to be shipped. We were then also included in the logistics activities. When supplies to be shipped decreased, we continued our service at the Arsenale dell’Armonia.

The warm welcome we received and the beauty of the place immediately won us over, and the projects that were being launched convinced us that it would be a wonderful opportunity. Currently, we are involved one morning a week, and over time we have experienced different activities.

We carry out various activities with groups of people with disabilities, such as: packaging pastry products, cleaning the premises, creating small handicrafts, harvesting products from the garden. Since about fifty hens and two donkeys have arrived, Luca, together with Andrea, takes care of collecting the eggs and cleaning the henhouses and the stable. A good relationship has developed between them, combining work with moments of fun. We have thus discovered a new way of relating, one that does not require words but rather encourages the use of looks, gestures, and hugs to communicate.

What we take home is the feeling of being appreciated for the little we do, without being burdened by expectations. As a couple, we are able to share feelings of joy for the impact of our actions and gratitude for having found a place where another world is possible.

NP May 2025
Maria Claudia Brunello