Castelvetrano Mother Sees Daughter Find Her Voice in English

Sicily is one of the most visited regions in Europe, yet many of its residents struggle to get ahead. In Castelvetrano, English can make the difference. It opens the door to university, international exchange programs, the Internet, and jobs in tourism, business, technology, and public service. Much academic research is published in English, and many universities ask for it at admission. Local olive growers and citrus producers also need English to reach buyers abroad. Some public-sector jobs in Italy require it. Teachers in Castelvetrano do their best, but many learned English as a second or third language, so students rarely get the chance to hear and practice it with someone who grew up speaking it.

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Carmen Atzeni, a mother from Sicily, found Global Volunteers in May 2024 through a friend. Carmen always cared about education, and she has always understood the importance of learning English. She sees English as a path to her children’s future in a connected world, even though most young people there have studied it in school and few have had the chance to practice it with native speakers. “I want my daughters, Noa, 6, and Zoe, 13, to have good English. You can go anywhere with it. Now it’s almost required for university and for jobs in nearly every field.”

Carmen had done what she could. Zoe had spent five years in English classes at elementary school, but at 12 she would not speak it. “She refused to talk in English,” Carmen said, and the frustration was still in her voice. “I was really disappointed. Then the chance to spend time with native speakers from Global Volunteers came along, and it felt like a ray of sunshine.”

“I want my daughters, Noa, 6, and Zoe, 13, to have good English. You can go anywhere with it. Now it’s almost required for university and for jobs in nearly every field.”

Carmen Atzeni

That chance was English Summer Camp, run by the Scout group in Castelvetrano together with Global Volunteers. Carmen signed Zoe up. She hoped for some progress, but she did not really expect what came next.

“After two weeks with the American volunteers, Zoe started speaking English without holding back,” Carmen said. She still sounded amazed. “The camp also helped her build social skills and real friendships, with the volunteers and with the other kids.”

The change was hard to believe. The girl who had refused English for five years, found inspiration and had started practicing her conversational English. Carmen felt it had to do with the volunteers themselves, with their patience and their real curiosity about the Sicilian children. Whatever it was, it reached Zoe in a way years of lessons had not.

Zoe also joined the summer camp, as a local volunteer. “I was so happy and excited that I wanted to contribute to this wonderful project,” she said. “I want our community to become a place of opportunity for our little ones. It was indescribable. We became like one big family,” she recalled.

“After two weeks with the American volunteers, Zoe started speaking English without holding back.”

Carmen Atzeni

To say thank you, Carmen opened her home for a farewell evening. She worked with Team Leader Giovanni Parrino to plan a Sicilian-style barbecue. “There were smiles and hugs, and a few tears too,” she said. “Our hearts were full of joy and love.”

The evening went on with laughter, good food, and the bittersweet feeling that goodbyes were near. By then it was clear that the summer had been about more than English. People from different cultures had found each other. Kindness and openness had brought out the best in people, and patience and enthusiasm had reached places that textbooks often can’t.

“We can’t wait for another wonderful experience with volunteers,” Carmen said.

She is confident that what the volunteers gave Zoe will stay with her and guide her for years to come.

Learn more about our Italy program here or request information today! Our team of dedicated volunteer coordinators is here to provide all the details you need to get started on this adventure in service.

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