weltwärts after vocational training: Sina’s year in Bolivia

How did you come across the weltwärts programme and Vamos Juntos?

Sina: Where I’m from, there was no-one who had spent a longer period abroad. I wasn’t aware of weltwärts at all. Every year, my university advertises a social work placement with Vamos Juntos. It was also the only Spanish-language placement offered at our university. I was able to speak to someone who had done the placement previously, as well as attend various seminars, which gave me a better idea about working abroad, and about Vamos Juntos and the people behind the organisation. Working with shoeshiners was something I found really interesting. I had no prior knowledge of it, but I knew it was a one-off opportunity to work on a unique project and immerse myself in a completely different world of work and way of working.

You’ve completed your early childhood educator training. What motivated you to go abroad with weltwärts after finishing your course?

Sina: Having completed my early childhood educator training at a vocational college, I’m now in my sixth semester of a social work degree. Both my training and my degree enabled me to apply lots of my theoretical knowledge, but also insights I’ve gained from my practical experience. Despite the language barrier which reared its head occasionally, I was able to make a significant contribution to the work done with the shoeshiners and their families. It came naturally to me, because I knew what to do in many situations. Having already completed relevant training and bringing so much knowledge to the table – that was definitely a plus point for my local involvement.

Has the volunteer service changed the way you see your day-to-day life?

Sina: Absolutely! My weltwärts volunteer service has taught me to manage with less and to consume less. This is something the locals demonstrated to me. It was also a reminder of how important relationship building, communication and cooperation are.

Take us with you and tell us what a typical day in La Paz looks like.

Sina: A typical working day lasted nine hours, with an hour-long break. My day started at 8:30 am. I went out onto the street with other volunteers and visited the shoeshiners at their places of work. House visits or accompanying people to doctor’s appointments was also part of the remit. I also had piles of office work to take care of, such as writing reports for weltwärts and Vamos Juntos, updating documentation for the shoeshiners’ files and preparing presentations.

Then, in the afternoons, I took part in a wide variety of projects. On Thursdays, I often helped out with “Grupo Esperanza” (Hope Group). This group supports people suffering from alcohol dependency through mobility and memory exercises, for example. On Tuesdays, I taught German to future South-North volunteers. During a stressful working day, it was really nice to enjoy lunch together in the office, where we chatted a lot, including about our private lives, had a lot of fun and all got to know each other on a completely different level. And then at 5:30 pm the working day ended.

What are your lasting impressions of your time with weltwärts?

Sina: I’ve definitely taken a few things away with me from Bolivia and my time with Vamos Juntos. The country, the people. My colleagues, everyone I got to meet. I made so many great friends who I’m still in close contact with. The culture and the indigenous customs remain alive for me, too. I’m now volunteering as a Vamos Juntos board member, as I think the work being done with the shoeshiners is really great and want to continue supporting the organisation.