Why do people decide to volunteer? Some want to help people in distress, some are interested in the situation in a specific country, some want new experiences and some enjoy the feeling of a new adventure. I decided to take this path for all of the reasons listed above.
I set off for Gambia. Gambia is a West African country with 2.6 million inhabitants and measures 11,300 square kilometres. So slightly more inhabitants than Slovenia in a considerably smaller area.
But why this small country in particular? A Slovenian organisation called Potuj kot prostovoljec operates in Gambia in cooperation with the Gambian organisation Volunteer trails. The organisation has been operating for more than 10 years. I learnt about them back in secondary school and decided at that moment that I would also try volunteering in a foreign country myself.
I went to Gambia also with the intention of completing part of the compulsory work placement of my study programme at Academia. At the same time, I hoped to learn as much as possible about their culture, customs, values and, of course, to explore as much of this country as possible.
I must admit that I experienced culture shock in the first days of volunteering. What are the rules of behaviour? How exactly do you call a "bus taxi"? Why do the electricity and water run out almost every day? How can it be so very hot?
These are questions that came to me at the beginning, but by the end of the journey they had become my reality. It is nice to greet every person with "Hi, how are you?", which we are taught from a young age, but cutlery is not an obligatory part of table etiquette. The daily journey to the workplace, which occasionally took an hour, became a time for conversation with other volunteers and employees. Friendliness with taxi drivers is rewarded with free transport or a reduced price, as we can negotiate everything. Electricity and water are not so very essential every second of every day; perhaps we can manage without them for a few minutes. By the end of my adventure in Gambia, I was even putting on a cardigan in the evenings myself, as it is quite cold when the breeze blows in from the sea. In the end, one discovers how very similar we are, despite all the differences we have.
But how does the volunteering itself work? I decided to volunteer in several areas. So I worked in a nursery school, in the organisation's office and went for a few days to the south of Gambia, where I helped care for turtles at the environmental organisation "CEDAG" in the town of Gunjur. I chose three areas, but there are many more. As a volunteer, you can decide for yourself in which areas you can try yourself out and help their community.
In the nursery school, I worked in cooperation with the nursery teachers. I helped with carrying out activities, communication between the organisation and school staff, a "Zoom" conversation with a Slovenian nursery school, etc. In doing so, I also played with the children and helped them solve their tasks.
In the organisation's office, I helped in several areas. For a short time, I took over managing and maintaining their social media. They also employed a new colleague who is weak in computer literacy. I helped her get to know the tools and applications on the computer and mobile device. In carrying out all these activities, I had to be in close contact with superiors (that is, the heads of the organisation) and colleagues who were carrying out similar activities to me. In doing so, I practised my communication skills in Slovenian and English.
How would I describe the experience? Despite my grumbling at the beginning of my arrival, my departure from there was difficult. Bonds were formed that were hard to say goodbye to. Especially those you are not sure you will keep, as you live several thousand kilometres away from the people with whom you formed them. I will miss the warm sun and afternoon activities. I will miss the wonderful nature and the animals in it. The culture that is full of laughter, music and dance. The friendly people who help you at every step. And to anyone who has doubts about whether to go or not... Go, the experience will be unforgettable.
Studies are delivered in Slovenian – ask us how to apply.
B1 Slovenian is required; we offer a free preparatory course. The admissions team replies within one working day.
Source: Academia (19. 12. 2023). Fotografije: arhiv Academie.
This English summary was produced automatically from the Slovenian article and is pending editorial review. Slovenska različica
