Ossama is an Italian-Moroccan, he studies in Strasbourg and has participated in projects as a volunteer in Tunisia, Germany, or in Italy. And this 21 year old does not intend to stop on such a good road.

Ossama, originally from Morocco, came to live in Strasbourg in 2013. In 4 years, this student in L3 economy and international marketing is more involved in the local and international associative life than most young people of Strasburg. He initially took part in a one-month European Voluntary Service (EVS) in Fez, Morocco, organized by AMSED, and then carried out an 8-month Civic Service within the association. He remains attached to AMSED and is now an active volunteer.

Commitments to grow personally

When we launch Ossama on the subject of AMSED and other associations of the same type, it is no longer stopped: “I know the association well, it’s been a long time. I really like the themes they do. And so I know that the actions go for people who have nothing, who need help. ” Knowing only a few people when he arrived in Strasbourg, AMSED allowed him to find an occupation, a way to feel useful outside his studies.

“It is thanks to AMSED that I have realized how useful young people can be in everyday life. It opened my eyes, it is thanks to the AMSED that I was able to open myself “

The EVS in Morocco, as well as the various trainings in which he participated throughout his Civic Service, also brought him knowledge and enabled him to exercise his know-how. For example, he participated in a youth exchange in Weimar, Germany, on “Key Actions”, the objects and methods to be followed to build and carry out a project. Throughout these projects, Ossama managed youth groups, coordinated activities and practiced the French language intensely, which enabled him to develop and refine his methods of communication and organization.

His experiences abroad are also made of encounters, which have taught him a lot. For example, during the EVS in Morocco, which was aimed at exchanging and carrying out activities with disadvantaged children: “Children teach you a lot of things about them. They are children who are ambitious, who want to do things in their lives, while they have no means at all. They live in the street, there are some who sell kleenex, for girls there are some who work as maids in houses, and despite all that they have the will to continue in life, to give. And this is where you realize, you say hey, I am a young person and I am already complaining while I live in a country like France where there is the means.

Engagement as a way of life

Ossama was accustomed to move from one country to another from his childhood; he was born in Italy and grew up with his grandparents in Morocco, and was already traveling between these two countries autonomously when he was 8 years old. He is still very confident and open to opportunities today; leaving, testing new projects and new destinations does not frighten him. Traveling with AMSED has given him a taste for discovery, and he is eager to continue to get to know different countries, cultures, people.

“It’s a pleasure to have contacts from the Arab world, from Africa, from Nepal, from around the world. Opening your mind to different cultures is too good “

Ossama is a young volunteer, in every sense of the word. He has precise ambitions concerning his professional future – he will be either a sports agent or a customs officer at the Port of Barcelona – and intends to continue to engage in associations whose actions and method of work he likes.

By Anais Betron