Step into the Story

With the sole purpose of improving the lives of the residents of Sumartin, and providing ESC volunteers with an authentic cultural exchange experience, Maritima Educare designed and hosted Step into the Story, European Solidarity Corps program that assisted the elderly of the community in sustaining their valued tradition of olive harvesting. 12 young adult EU volunteers had the unique opportunity to engage with local inhabitants both in the olive fields and in the neighborhoods of this small Croatian island village. The program spanned a period of 15 days during the month of November 2021. It provided the participants the unique opportunity to walk the daily path of those who raise olives and make their own olive oil for personal family use. It is the intent of Maritima Educare to offer this program on an annual basis because of the cultural sustainability it provides.