The Arlep District (La Salle Spain and Portugal) has started a new sensitization campaign for the eStar volunteer project within Lasallian communities, aimed at young people between 20 and 30 years old engaged in a pastoral-educational mission and/or a personal process of accompaniment and discernment.
The eStar Project, which offers participants a long or medium-term experience, provides the opportunity for young people to experience the Lasallian mission of service to the poorest up close and in one of the ministries within the District.
It also allows one to be part of a Lasallian community, fully integrated in all its dimensions. In order to participate in this project, general and specific preliminary training is offered, which is necessary for the volunteer experience in the community.
More than 30 communities are involved and there are more than 50 projects to collaborate on in different areas of the District, including schools, NGOs, youth groups and socio-educational works.
For next year, a number of young people from Spain, Colombia and Great Britain have already signed up, and the Arlep District continues to encourage more and more people to take part in this unique experience. Some of those who already took part in the project last year describe themselves as enthusiastic.
Ana, for example, took part in the ‘eStar Bilbao’ project: “During that time, I had the opportunity to work with people committed to making a positive impact on society. “I believe that my dedication and enthusiasm have been the key to the success of the different activities in which I have participated,” Ana continues, “because I have been able to know first-hand the reality of our country and, consequently, appreciate much more what I have […] I have trained myself to be patient, to listen and, above all, to be there when and where I am needed. The eStar Project has undoubtedly left an indelible mark on me’.
Ana’s voice is echoed by Andrea, who in 2024 was part of the community and socio-educational work at Hogar La Salle in Jerez. “I am a former student at La Salle Sagrado Corazón, in Madrid, where I discovered the possibility of this experience, even without knowing where it would take place. Now, a year later, I can say that I have found a home and a family in Jerez, where I feel like a sister to all the people who have accompanied me on this journey”. In the Hogar, Andrea lived with the De La Salle Brothers by whom she felt “treated like a sister, with great affection”. Andrea concludes: “I encourage all young Lasallians to live this unique experience to get to know at first hand the profound human needs that, unfortunately, still exist in our society today, even if sometimes we don’t want to realise it”.
We are all invited to participate in this great and enriching project. eStar is also waiting for you! For further details of the project, please consult the project website (https://estar.lasalle.es/).