Hi, my name is Ola, and I had the privilege of being part of the ESC Humanitarian Aid Project. This testimony is a reflection of my experiences during that time.

An International Collaboration for Local Impact

From September 1st to October 29th, 2024, I participated in a group volunteering project in Nepal: Empowering Vulnerable Communities through HumAid Volunteers. This project was coordinated by Ibo Italia and co-organized by VISIONEERS from Berlin, with Volunteers Initiative Nepal (VIN) as the hosting organization. Our team consisted of 10 volunteers from Europe (Italy, Poland, Spain, Belgium, Romania, and Turkey) and three volunteers from Nepal. Together, we focused on strengthening local communities and advocating for children’s rights by establishing youth clubs in schools and teaching essential life skills.

Living and Working as a Community

The volunteers and local staff lived together in a building that also served as an education and cultural center for the local community. The facility featured meeting rooms, a library, and a computer lab, which were used for various community activities. Living under one roof fostered a strong sense of teamwork and camaraderie. We shared responsibilities like preparing meals, and we bonded over activities such as exercising, playing board games, and watching movies. One of my favorite memories was learning to dance Bachata, thanks to one of the volunteers who regularly organized dance lessons. It was an unexpected and delightful skill to take home with me.

Empowering Children Through School Clubs

A major focus of the project was establishing children’s clubs in six schools in the Okhaldhunga District. Our team divided into three groups, each working with two schools. These clubs provided a platform for children to voice their opinions, learn new skills, and gain awareness of their rights. We conducted workshops to teach essential life skills such as communication, teamwork, leadership, and event management. The clubs became a safe space for children to express themselves, collaborate on meaningful projects, and develop their confidence. Watching their enthusiasm, especially as they took on leadership roles, was incredibly rewarding and reaffirmed the importance of our efforts.

 

Hi everyone! I’m Milena, and I recently participated in the European Solidarity Corps Humanitarian Aid project ECHAV – Empowering Vulnerable Communities Through Humanitarian Aid Volunteering in Kuth Awendo, Kenya.

For three weeks, I had the incredible opportunity to collaborate with an amazing team of international and local volunteers, diving deep into sustainability through organic agriculture and permaculture. Along the way, I gained a profound understanding of the local culture, food, environment, and how small actions can create significant impacts.

A Typical Day: Planting Seeds of Change

Every day in Kuth Awendo was a mix of learning, hands-on work, and connecting with the community. Mornings began in the fields, where we planted trees, raised vegetable beds, and learned about permaculture. This wasn’t just physical labor—it was a chance to understand the land, tackle challenges like water scarcity, and see how agriculture can drive resilience in rural communities. Afternoons were spent visiting schools to raise awareness about sustainable agriculture, particularly among children, as they are key to building a sustainable future. During the initial days of the project, we worked together to prepare a brochure on best practices for preventing droughts and floods, which included instructions for making organic fertilizer and explained the importance of trees in maintaining the water cycle—a crucial element in a region where water scarcity is a pressing issue. Later, we engaged directly with students, planting trees together and fostering discussions about sustainability, intercultural exchange, and community action. We distributed the brochure we had prepared, ensuring that the students and their families could continue learning long after our project ended.

Teamwork and Community

Living and working with 10 European and 7 local volunteers was an enriching and eye-opening experience. Life in Kenya follows a different rhythm compared to what we’re used to in Europe: water scarcity, limited electricity, and challenging transportation reshaped our daily routines and taught us resilience and adaptability.

Mornings started early, often with helping the cooks prepare breakfast and washing dishes. One of the first tasks each day was lighting a fire for cooking and fetching water to refill the main containers in the facility. Afterward, we headed to the fields to plant tomatoes, beans, corn, and pumpkins. Around lunchtime, we returned home to share a meal, rest during the hottest hours, and then head to schools in the afternoons. The kindness of the organizers and the local community, coupled with the great atmosphere within our team, made me feel at home despite being far from my own country. Sharing meals, work, stories, and jokes strengthened our bonds and highlighted the beauty of collective effort.

The Kuth Awendo community was incredibly welcoming, whether during school visits, community meetings, or village events. From interacting with children at a nearby kindergarten to engaging with curious villagers who wanted to learn more about our cultures and work, the warmth of the people left a lasting impression on me.

Dieser Blog wurde von Alina verfasst, die als Freiwillige für zwei Monate in Nepal tätig war. Im Rahmen des Humanitarian Aid Projects der Europäischen Kommission leistete sie ihren Freiwilligendienst und arbeitete zusammen mit anderen Freiwilligen an Projekten zum Thema Kinderschutz. Gemeinsam mit lokalen Partnern und der Unterstützung von Organisationen wie der Volunteers Initiative Nepal setzte sie sich für eine nachhaltige Verbesserung des Kinderschutzes in ländlichen Gebieten Nepals ein. In ihrem Blog teilt Alina ihre Erfahrungen und reflektiert, wie gemeinschaftsbasierte Ansätze zu nachhaltigen Veränderungen im Bereich des Kinderschutzes führen können.

Can communities drive real change in child protection?

In the rural areas of Nepal, child protection is not just a legal responsibility but a shared community effort. Here, children face significant challenges, from poverty and limited access to education to cultural practices that may lead to child marriage, labor, or neglect. Yet, there’s hope. Community-based child protection has emerged as a powerful solution. By involving local groups, like children’s clubs and women’s groups, communities actively safeguard children’s rights and welfare. These grassroots efforts empower residents to address issues directly within their environments, creating sustainable and culturally sensitive solutions. During my two months in Okhaldhunga, I was part of a team of 10 dedicated young women who worked alongside local children, schools, and community leaders, and I saw firsthand how these initiatives can transform lives.

What makes children’s clubs so effective?

One of the most impactful community-based approaches involves children’s clubs. Supported by organizations such as VIN (Volunteers Initiative Nepal), these clubs are more than just after-school activities. They create safe spaces where children learn, play, and grow, while also gaining a deeper understanding of their rights. Through debates, workshops, and creative arts, children become empowered to protect themselves and their peers. During our time in Okhaldhunga, we guided them to lead discussions, organize awareness activities, and engage others in ways that build community spirit and mutual support. I’ll never forget a young girl named Sabina, who was very shy at first. By the end of our sessions, she was confidently sharing her thoughts with the group. Stories like Sabina’s highlight why these clubs matter—they give children a voice and the confidence to use it.

Why are women’s groups vital in this mission?

Equally essential are the women’s groups, composed of mothers and female community members who offer guidance, education, and support to families. They lead awareness campaigns and training sessions, teaching parents about the importance of child protection, early childhood education, and recognizing signs of abuse. These groups also work closely with local authorities, advocating for systems that ensure a swift response to child protection issues, whether through legal measures or community support networks. Organizations like VIN and Plan International play a crucial role by forming these partnerships, strengthening the community’s ability to safeguard children and making sure no child falls through the cracks.

Es gibt Jahrzehnte, in denen nichts passiert; und es gibt Wochen, in denen Jahrzehnte passieren

Wenn Lenins Zitat wahr ist, dann gehört diese Zeit in Afrika definitiv zur zweiten Hälfte dieses Satzes. Ich bin nun seit genau 3 Monaten und 1 Tag hier in Togo, und dennoch bringt jeder Tag eine neue Lernmöglichkeit, eine Gelegenheit, die Welt durch eine andere Linse zu betrachten und die beste Version meiner selbst zu zeigen.
Es ist nicht leicht, sein Zuhause, seine Liebsten und den gewohnten Komfort hinter sich zu lassen, von dem man denkt, dass man ein Anrecht darauf hat. Selbst nach 3 Monaten ist es mühsam, keine Waschmaschine zu besitzen und meine Kleidung per Hand waschen zu müssen, oder täglich Insekten in der Größe einer Avocado zu töten. Doch die positiven Aspekte dieser Erfahrung überwiegen bei weitem.

Meine Arbeit mit benachteiligten Kindern

In diesen Monaten habe ich Straßenkindern Unterricht gegeben und leite aktuell eine Forschungs- und Berichterstattungsarbeit über junge Mütter in ähnlichen Situationen. Das bedeutet, dass ich täglich Zeuge großer Ungerechtigkeiten und grauenhafter Lebensbedingungen werde. Doch all dies hat mich gestärkt und mich noch entschlossener gemacht, den Grund, warum ich hier bin, zu verfolgen: zu lernen, wie die Arbeit in einer NGO aussieht, um in Zukunft im Rahmen meiner Möglichkeiten die Welt zu verändern.
Darüber hinaus lerne ich viel von der Resilienz der Menschen hier. Trotz ihrer Not sind sie glücklich und führen bedeutungsvolle Leben, in denen sie täglich versuchen, die Lasten zu überwinden, die auf ihren Schultern liegen. Das ist wirklich inspirierend und eine echte Lebenslektion.