It is a grey and cold day. Massive and threatening clouds darken the sunlight and from the bus you can get aware how intense the traffic jam was. Sitting down facing each other, Rosario and Natalia try somehow to kill the time. Smartphone is always a good resource. Standing in the back of Natalia, Leo is mentally browsing the plan for that day. One, two, three, countless times. Human rights workshop is undoubtedly the best, the most important task you can get as volunteer. It's a honor and, of course, a bargain. It is something hard even when you are confident and expert. It goes without saying that when it's your first time and you are, theoretically, in charge, it turns f.....g crazy.
- OK, keep calm Leo. It's easy, you have already devised kind of a plan: introduction; video about violations in the past and in the present times, worldwide; discussion; game; discussion once again, game, set and match. With the support of Rosario and the translation of Natalia everything will be right, you just have to not spoil everything as usual. Be smart! You can. Puff! Puff! -
The crew gets the destination, the school is a large, new building, clean and completely different from the usual Hogwarts-style school where they all are used to go. That really doesn't look like a primary or secondary school.
- Why there are just boys and girls, more girls actually, looking like 20s or similar? Where are the children? Wh...Rosario, Rosario please, ok, I got, you like the blonde, cute girl but not so loud, please, maybe they can understand Italian, please. Thanks! -
The situation gets bright soon enough. After the teacher leaves the room, the team can start. Twelve young women and men (just two, them) are staring at our guys. Rosario sits down in a side of the large, white and well enlightened room, Natalia and Leo are standing up in front of the blackboard.
- The introduction round has been easy. They look like old enough to raise the stake. I am going to state, to stress that I dont't want to be a teacher, that I want discuss with them, achieving something like a team. For example, I would like to know what they expect from us and which is their own definition of human rights. Let's try! -
From a quick glance, you can realize that the audience is composed by someone really interested (around 3 people), someone simply curious (the most) and someone that probably hope to get some better mark by the end of the year. The video catches the attention but the ladies and the few gentlemen resist to be involved in some kind of discussion. Leo and Rosario speak a lot, especially Leo. Actually Leo looks very comfortable to speak, even too much. Natalia tries her best to follow him and translating but she can barely remember how he started, after 10 minutes of monologue.
- Me cago en la puta! Don't you wanna join the discussion? Allright, I am going to blow your mind! -
History, politics, Nazi's, Eleanor Roosevelt, Wikipedia. The workshop encompasses a range of different examples. Basically, the Semper crew attempts to make people aware that, in spite of the differences all we have, as individuals, ultimately we are all human beings and just for that, there are rights we are granted from our birth. The speech is quite passionate but too one-directional, there is not reciprocity enough. Good, but perfectible.
- I tried my best but I have talked too much. Absolutely too much. I just hope they have seized something. I have to beg Natalia pardon for making his job so hard. Ok, you did it, chill bro, you did it, you did it. -
Still cloudy but darker and colder. The time went by and it's time for homecoming. At least it doesn't rain.
Leo & Co.
No comments:
Post a Comment