First Impressions of the Young Farmers’ Club Project
First Impressions of the Young Farmers’ Club Project
03.06.2024 | By Katie Noyed | Pictures: DRH Lindersvold
The first month of any project period is always a time of great learning and growth. It is during this time that many of our volunteers get to experience their project countries for the first time and take in the first impressions of the home they will be a guest in during their time as volunteers. It’s an equally exciting and important time, as it sets the foundation for the rest of the project period, while also giving our volunteers the chance to get better acquainted with their specific projects and gain a deeper understanding of the people and cultural practices – thereby understanding how they can support.
This month, the duos and trios of our January Volunteer for Change team have been busy settling into their projects in Malawi, Zambia, and India. In this article, we will highlight the experiences of one of our duos: Natalia and Victoria.
Young Farmers’ Club
Natalia (Colombia) and Victoria (Argentina) are a duo supporting the ‘Young Farmers’ Club project in Zambia. This is a multifaceted sustainable development project with Humana People to People that spans from conducting financial literacy lessons and training for young farmers in the community to supporting young farmers with honey production and supporting the young farmers in their efforts in relation to climate change and mitigation.
Natalia explains that during the first month, they have been visiting the communities to familiarise themselves with the project, understand their challenges, and collaboratively seek solutions. “At the school, there is a demonstration garden where we have been acquiring farming skills. We then train the local farmers to use these skills to enhance their work.”
Victoria shared she was impressed by the warmth and friendliness of the people in the project and in the community. “My expectations were exceeded, especially in terms of the quality of interpersonal relationships and commitment to the project. We have gradually adapted to the project and the community, establishing effective work routines and overcoming practical and emotional challenges, finding a good balance between teamwork, mutual support, and integration into community life.
What is Volunteer for Change
The Volunteer for Change programme is based on two concepts: Sustainable development and international solidarity.
The programme lasts ten months and is an opportunity to learn about the big issues of our time – and to do something about them in practical terms.
The Volunteer for Change programme provides an opportunity for people from the Global North to learn from, and volunteer with, community-driven development programmes in the Global South run by members of Humana People to People. These projects respond to challenges within the spheres of community development, education, sustainable farming, early childhood development and mitigation of the climate crisis.
The fast-paced and action-based Volunteer for Change programme takes ten months:
3 months of training and preparation in Denmark
6 months of assisting a sustainable development programme at a Humana People to people project in the Global South
1 month of reflection, evaluation, and sharing of experiences.
DRH Lindersvold – The Travelling School for Change – welcomes everyone who is interested in working together with us to address humanitarian and development challenges worldwide.
Let’s create a better world together.
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