Pablo Cobo, a marist volunteer in the Fratelli Project

Pablo is a Spanish Marist volunteer from Mediterránea province. He spent a year volunteering in Lebanon, working in the Fratelli Project.

His participation as a volunteer has been made through the mediation with the General Administration’s Department Collaboration for Mission, International (Cmi).

The Fratelli project was created in 2016 by the congregations of the Brothers of the Christian Schools and the Marist Brothers to try to respond to the urgent, emerging needs of the most vulnerable children and young people in Lebanon.

Here below you have the testimony written by Pablo, where he tells us about his experience in Lebanon.

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“I was lucky to go as a short-term volunteer (1 month) in the month of August 2018, and it was after that experience that I decided to volunteer for this same project, for a one-year period.

I feel very fortunate, to have had the opportunity to collaborate with the Fratelli project, and to have agreed and lived with people who are related to this: children, young people, adults, workers and educators, brothers and volunteers … This is the most pleasant experience that I took from this year, the opportunity of having been able to share my life with people from different backgrounds, culture, religion, fates …

About the usefulness of my work, I feel very satisfied to have opened up myself to share my life and have let the others to share their life with me, insofar as I was able.

To future volunteers, I tell them not to be afraid to receive and give in a context that is possibly very different from what we know. And have the courage, whenever possible, to try to do justice. We are not superior or better, we are not anyone’s guides, just instruments and travel companions.

I thank all those who have somehow accompanied me in this period. To all those who have made me feel at home and those who have opened their arms from the beginning …

 I send them an infinite hug”.

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Have you ever thought, as Brother, layperson, student, ex-student, of becoming a Marist volunteer? Listen to your inner voice and contact the Department of Collaboration for Mission, International (Cmi) – [email protected]