A Soup Kitchen that Welcomes Anyone from Any Background
On September 11, a group of Temple students from the Rome campus had the opportunity to volunteer and serve at a soup kitchen that welcomed people from many different backgrounds. Overall, this experience was something I had never experienced since the first week I arrived in Rome.
As Temple students and Trenitalia employees were introduced to each other, we began our tasks with a prayer. My first impression of the site was that it was “interesting,” very “modest,” and showed what I would describe as “Rome’s alternative face.”
Different tasks, such as working at the counter, checking people in, distributing food, cleaning tables, and separating trash, were assigned to each person. English was our main common language that connected all of us. However, before starting our tasks, we had a quick session where we exchanged some Italian phrases and learned a few words from our Trenitalia colleagues and out supervisor. We then went to our assigned stations and started
welcoming people as they arrived.
Since the majority of the people coming in spoke Italian, and some could not speak English, my conversations were often limited to a simple “Ciao” or “Buongiorno.” As humans, we tend to look for common traits and shared experiences that allow us to communicate and connect with other people. At this soup kitchen, some of these shared traits included religion and similar experiences, as many of the people there had
immigrated from different places.
Although I met many people that day, one person who stood out to me was Abdul. He was originally from Bangladesh, had traveled to multiple countries, learned seven languages, and lived in many different environments, but he said that he felt at home in Rome. In some ways, he reminded me of myself. I am also experiencing my second study abroad after moving to the United States for my education, and I am still searching for what “home” means to me.
Meeting people like Abdul made me realize that home does not always have to be one specific place. Sometimes, it can be found in the people we meet, the experiences we share, and the communities we become a part of.
This experience allowed me to see and realize again that there are lives and experiences
that we often do not notice. It reminded me to acknowledge how fortunate I am to have the
opportunity to experience different ways of life in a city full of history, while also
volunteering and contributing to the community in my own way.
