Watch Nadia’s Interview

Skills training & personal growth

During my time in Zambia, I had the opportunity to work with various departments of Volunteer for Change, including the Youth Academy, the school for children from surrounding villages, and the Climate Center. It was a well-rounded experience that exposed me to different aspects of the organization’s work. The Youth Academy specifically catered to former street children who sought food and shelter. Some of them had spent years living on the streets, and when they first arrived at the academy, their initial intention was primarily survival. However, with time, those who chose to stay experienced remarkable transformations.

We provided them with rooms, and more importantly, we taught them valuable skills such as tailoring, agriculture, and metal fabrication. Witnessing their progress and witnessing them develop dreams and aspirations for their future was truly beautiful. The change we observed in such a short period was astounding. We engaged in practical projects that yielded tangible results, like creating benches from recycled materials alongside the students. But the most fulfilling part was the personal growth we witnessed through conversations and interactions.

Are you satisfied with your contribution?

One notable example was the improvement in their English language skills. The students who had been in the academy for a year or more had better English proficiency due to the structured classes they attended. However, for the newcomers, communicating in English was a challenge. But as they interacted with us, they recognized the need to communicate and took the initiative to learn. We often found them sitting next to us with English books, eager to study and practice with us. The same applied to numeracy skills, where we worked closely with students who needed assistance with basic mathematics. It was incredible to see their progress and the confidence they gained.

The impact of the project extended beyond individual students. It transformed the lives of numerous children and people within the community. Their gratitude and the visible change in their faces as they neared the completion of the program were heartwarming. Participating in this project allowed me to reinvent myself and learn valuable lessons. I discovered my limits, where my strengths lie, and how I can function effectively in challenging situations. To be fully present and supportive for the children, I had to ensure my own well-being. It was a deeply enriching experience on a personal level.

How has the experience changed you?

In terms of living conditions, we were fortunate to have better accommodations compared to other parts of the country or even the rest of the campus. We resided in newly constructed houses, the first occupants, with access to electricity and running water, although not always consistently. We had the essentials to live comfortably, and we were grateful for that. However, it was impossible not to notice the struggles faced by neighboring villages where electricity and running water were scarce commodities. Conversations with locals allowed me to gain a deeper understanding of the challenges they confronted daily. We were privileged in that regard.

Being in Zambia, immersed in a different setting and continent, broadened my perspective and deepened my understanding of the world. Processing all the experiences from the six months will take time because it was a truly transformative and rich journey. I am immensely grateful for the opportunity to have volunteered with Volunteer for Change and contributed, even in a small way, to positive change in the lives of those we