Study in Italy - Universita Cattolica del Sacro Cuore

UCSC Charity Work Program 2012

By Maria Strumendo

"Smiles, colors, hospitality, family, and happiness..."

The Centre for International Solidarity (CIS), in collaboration with Università Cattolica, and support from Istituto Giuseppe Toniolo di Studi Superiori (founder and promoter of UCSC), is preparing volunteers for the Charity Work Program 2012.

Photo taken in Ethiopia, 2011

A total of twenty-five students will be awarded scholarships and selected to spend three weeks during the summer, as international volunteers at Medical Centre's, Nunneries, Foundations, Infant schools, Training Centres, Universities, and Missionaries across seven developing countries.

The program was launched in 2009 for UCSC college residents from Milan, Piacenza, and Rome. But for the first time, the UCSC Charity Work Program will offer five scholarships to non-dorm students from all faculties.

Students can select from the following destinations: Sri Lanka, India, Ethiopia, Brazil, Ecuador, Uganda, and Ghana.

Ecuador is the only new entry for 2012. The volunteer experience will take place at Pontificia Università Cattolica dell'Ecuador – Portovejo (PUCE). Prof. Christian Cevallos, an Italian Professor at the institution is the Charity Work's contact.

The university strongly promotes agricultural projects and for this reason an affiliation was created in the interests of UCSC agricultural students. Students will focus on agro-zootechnics, as well as take part in the redevelopment of tourism and educational projects.

Every year, Uganda and Ghana are only open to medical students from UCSC Rome Campus.

Every year, students that return from their Charity Program experience are richer in knowledge, understanding, and emotion.

"I undertook a 'journey' in India. A genuine and humble journey that left a sign on me," said Francesca Tammelleo, India 2011.

"In Kampala and surrounding villages, I learned to taste the flavors of life even through the smallest things. I learnt that the less fortunate can give, even despite the little they have," said Francesco Leo, Uganda 2011.

Registrations for the UCSC Charity Work Program are open until Tuesday 5 June. Info sessions will be held in both Rome and Milan. For more details, send an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

To download the UCSC - Charity Work Program brochure, click here.