For 25 years always close to and available to people in difficulty. Migrants or victims of earthquakes and floods. Nothing changes for her. The important thing is to be present, to help those in need with humanity and neutrality, but above all with passion. Giannina Piga, 64 years old, state employee (works at the secretariat of the technical institute of Macomer), helps others, applying the principles of the Italian Red Cross of which she is a volunteer. However, there is a lot of his own in this volunteering activity.
The last mission
The latest experience was in Lampedusa, from 23 September to 4 October, welcoming migrants. Those of Libya and Bangladesh. «I was particularly struck by those people, those guys. As soon as they landed, we distributed water and food, clothes, accommodation, but above all a smile and a lot of humanity. So much hope in their eyes. They didn't know how to thank us. We worked in front of that statue facing the sea of Lampedusa, which seems to welcome those arriving on boats with open arms. For them we are the hope. As far as I'm concerned, I want to help, make myself useful, stay alongside these people. Let's extend a hand, give a smile to people who have faced a terrible journey. In addition to a hot meal, we also give them a word of encouragement. They are people who need human warmth so much. We provide assistance as volunteers, but also psychological support."
Always on the front line
In the last 25 years of humanitarian missions, under the flag of the Italian Red Cross, Giannina Piga has done many. «I started by standing next to the earthquake victims of Abruzzo. Then in Sicily, in Umbria, among the flood victims of our island and Emilia Romagna. I have always felt close to these people, who have lost everything and often appear to have no future. Without certainty. In all circumstances we try to make unfortunate people understand that no one is alone. We are here. There are many other people ready to welcome migrants or victims of the earthquake and flood into their hearts. Here, we are always ready to go. A sacrifice because he leaves his family. In Macomer I have my three children, friends and relatives. I made myself available to deal with impactful situations, from an emotional point of view, which however immediately become an asset."
The appeal
Having just returned from Lampedusa, Giannina Piga is ready to leave again. Facing journeys and hardships, to provide help to those who she simply calls people. Be useful. «Obviously everything is done according to work. Of course, young forces are needed. There is a great need for young people."
The proposal is ready: «Our children often miss the history of migration. I would like to tell everyone that volunteering and assisting people, migrants in particular, is truly rewarding. An idea that must start from families and above all from schools. The municipal administration must also find a tool to raise young people's awareness of the problem. Let us promote an initiative by finding the most suitable and engaging tool. High school students are moving in this direction, through a newspaper, but I would like it to be talked about in all schools. It must be said that volunteer activity and missions where there is suffering makes the kids come alive."
The appeal did not fall on deaf ears, because some administrators are already moving in that direction.
Francesco Oggianu
