Helping young people with after-school activities
Lita, IrelandVolunteering has changed my life. It taught me about solidarity, work ethic, essential values, and friendship. I will forever be grateful for every second spent with colleagues (now friends), children, and fellow volunteers. It was a risk to leave my comfort zone, but everything I gained made it worth it a thousandfold.
Lita, originally from France, volunteered in Ireland in 2024 with Citywise where she helped youngsters with afterschool activities and homework.
🎤 What type of impact did your engagement have on the local community where you were active?
"The young people we worked with get more open-minded from the contact with people from other countries. They ask questions, get curious, sometimes shocked. They also get to discover new games of way of learning they might not have known before."
🎤 How has volunteering contributed to your personal growth, professional development, or overall outlook on life?
"As a pretty insecure person, being an ESC changed my life. I’ve grown more confident in my abilities and skills. Being trusted with projects and encouraged to lead made me grow professionally and mentally, and I am forever grateful."
🎤 Why do you believe volunteering is important?
"It puts things into perspective. You get to discover new places, points of view, issues, you grow more aware of certain things that are incredibly important. It’s always important to help, especially as a young person in the world right now, and we need to learn to help each other."
🎤 What is your birthday wish for the 30th anniversary of EU supported volunteering — and for the next 30 years to come?
"That more people get the chance to learn about those opportunities, to give more chances to young people and organisations alike to help each other grow."
Updated on Tuesday, 14/04/2026