After 11 unforgettable months in Sinop, our European Solidarity Corps volunteer Maria Nespeca from Italy has successfully completed her volunteering journey with Sahipsiz Hayvanları Koruma ve Yaşatma Derneği. 

During her service, Maria made an incredible contribution to the protection and welfare of stray animals through her dedication, creativity, and strong organizational skills. One of her most valuable achievements was creating a comprehensive bilingual database for approximately 120 cats and 8 dogs, making animal records more organized, accessible, and sustainable for future volunteers and the association’s team.

Maria also played an important role in raising awareness about stray animals by creating photographs, videos, graphics, and social media content that highlighted the association’s work and encouraged animal adoption and community support. Through her creativity, she designed handmade products using recycled materials, contributing to fundraising efforts while promoting environmental sustainability.

As one of our long-term volunteers, Maria warmly welcomed new volunteers from different countries, helping them adapt to life in Sinop and become part of our multicultural community. Her kindness, patience, and willingness to share her experience created a supportive environment where everyone felt included and valued.

Throughout these 11 months, Maria not only contributed to the association but also experienced remarkable personal and professional growth. She developed new skills in nonprofit management, digital communication, information organization, and teamwork while learning the importance of empathy, flexibility, and intercultural understanding. Working closely with stray animals taught her that every detail matters and that even the smallest action can improve an animal’s quality of life.

Thank you, Maria, for your passion, commitment, and the lasting impact you have made on our association. The tools you created, the knowledge you shared, and the compassion you showed toward every animal will continue to benefit both our team and the many volunteers who will follow your path.

We wish you happiness and success in everything you do and hope to see you again in Sinop one day!