Second Month in Guinea-Bissau – Volunteer Reflection Report

Andreia, Cris and Barbara

Our Impressions of the Project and Community

After two months in Guinea-Bissau, we continue to be impressed by the kindness, generosity, and resilience of the people we meet every day. The staff, students, and local community have welcomed us warmly and made us feel part of their daily lives.

Life here requires constant adaptation. Access to basic resources such as food, water, electricity, and fuel can be uncertain, and everyone has learned to work around these challenges. What stands out most is how these difficulties seem to strengthen the sense of community. People support one another, share what they have, and work together to overcome obstacles.

The school is not only focused on vocational education but is also involved in several entrepreneurship initiatives that aim to provide students with practical skills and opportunities for the future. Despite limited resources, there is a strong commitment to helping students build better lives for themselves and their communities.

At the same time, the school faces significant challenges. Shortages of food and water, unreliable electricity, limited fuel for the generator, and a lack of teaching materials often affect daily activities. These realities require flexibility and creativity from both staff and students.

What We Have Been Working On

One of our first achievements this month was reopening the school library. This has been one of the most rewarding experiences so far. We regularly see students reading during their free time, borrowing books, and using the space independently. Watching their enthusiasm for learning beyond the classroom has been inspiring.

We have also started conducting and recording interviews with students from each class. Through these conversations, we explore their reasons for attending the school, their experiences as students, and their dreams for the future. Listening to their stories has been incredibly moving and has provided valuable insight into the impact that education can have on their lives.

In addition, we have contributed to several school activities. We prepared presentations for assemblies, supported the graduation ceremony, helped format the internship report template used during internal internships, and organized photographs documenting students’ practical training experiences.

Although Spanish classes were paused while students completed their teaching practice, this period allowed us to become more involved in other aspects of school life and strengthen our relationships with the students.

Learning from the Students

One of the most inspiring parts of our experience has been hearing students speak about their ambitions. Their determination to study, improve their lives, and support their families is remarkable.

Many students live in the boarding school, sharing rooms and responsibilities. They wake up early, help with daily tasks, and learn to live closely with one another. While this can sometimes be challenging, many describe the school community as a family. Through cooperation and shared experiences, they develop strong bonds and support networks.

Learning more about their culture and daily realities has deepened our understanding of the challenges they face and the strength they demonstrate in overcoming them. It has also encouraged us to reflect on our own assumptions and perspectives.

Sometimes there are misconceptions between cultures. For example, some people assume that because we come from Europe, we are wealthy. Yet we have come to understand that wealth can mean many different things. While material resources may be more available in our countries, the sense of community, solidarity, and mutual support we see here represents another kind of richness that is equally valuable.

Challenges and Reflections

This month has brought both professional and personal challenges.

One of the biggest professional challenges has been lesson planning and classroom management. As a first-time teacher, preparing lessons and deciding how much content to cover can sometimes feel overwhelming. There are moments when I question whether my lessons are effective enough or whether I could have organized them better. However, I am gradually learning that teaching is a process of continuous improvement, and mistakes are part of that journey.

A particularly significant challenge was dealing with a serious illness. I became infected with two strains of Salmonella Typhi as well as a viral infection. Initially, the local clinic in Bissorã was unable to identify the cause of my symptoms. As my condition worsened, I travelled to the hospital in Bissau, where more comprehensive testing finally provided a diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

This experience taught me the importance of addressing health concerns early. In this context, access to healthcare can be affected by transportation difficulties, fuel shortages, and other logistical challenges. Prevention and early intervention are essential.

Emotionally, this month has also been intense. Living in a very different reality has led us to reflect deeply on our own lives and priorities. Simple things that we often take for granted – food, clean water, electricity, and access to healthcare – have taken on new meaning.

One moment that particularly stayed with us occurred when only two students attended a class. When we asked where the others were, we learned that many were exhausted after a long day of theoretical lessons and that some had not eaten breakfast because there had not been enough bread for everyone. Experiences like this create a profound sense of empathy and reinforce our desire to contribute in whatever ways we can.

Whether through teaching Spanish, helping students create CVs, supporting computer literacy, listening to their stories, or simply sharing conversations, we hope that our presence contributes something meaningful. Sometimes the smallest actions can have a lasting impact.

Living and Working Together

As a team, this month has also been a learning experience. The three of us have different personalities, perspectives, and ways of managing emotions. Naturally, there have been moments of challenge and adjustment. However, we have gradually found ways to understand one another better, complement each other’s strengths, and grow together through the experience.

Living and working closely together has taught us patience, communication, and cooperation – valuable lessons that extend far beyond the project itself.

Looking Ahead: The Next Six Weeks

Over the next six weeks, we would like to continue documenting student experiences and exploring the broader impact of education within the community.

One of the main themes we hope to investigate is how education transforms lives. We want to understand how access to education influences personal development, employment opportunities, self-confidence, and future aspirations.

To guide this investigation, we will explore the following hypotheses:

Hypothesis 1: Access to education significantly increases students’ confidence in their ability to shape their future and pursue meaningful opportunities.

Hypothesis 2: Education benefits not only individual students but also contributes to the well-being and development of their families and communities.

Through interviews, observations, and daily interactions, we hope to gain a deeper understanding of these questions and document the stories that emerge.

Final Thoughts

Overall, our second month in Guinea-Bissau has been deeply transformative. We have experienced challenges, growth, learning, and moments of genuine connection. Every day brings new lessons – not only about education and development but also about gratitude, resilience, and the power of community.

We are increasingly aware of how much we still have to learn, and we remain motivated to contribute wherever possible. Above all, we are grateful for the opportunity to share this experience with the students, staff, and community members who continue to teach us as much as we hope to teach them.