Some clicks remain just clicks. Others take you on a journey you never planned.
Greetings to everyone, my name is Leonardo, and this is my volunteering story.
In June last year, one evening, I came across an article titled Volunteer in Germany quite by chance. The title sparked my curiosity, so I decided to click and open the article, not realizing that this single click, this one coincidence, would change my entire year and fill it with wonderful experiences..
At that time, I didn’t know that behind that one click was an opportunity that would shape me, teach me so much, and change the way I see the world.
Volontirao sam u periodu od augusta 2024. do maja 2025. pri organizaciji Pax Christi u Aachenu te u ustanovi Vinzenz-Heim.
As a volunteer, I had the honor and pleasure of working with people with developmental challenges, supporting them through their daily activities. At the same time, I had the chance to explore my own creativity through graphic design and promotional tasks, learn about democracy and German ways of life, and improve my photography skills.
Through the project, I met a large number of people, mostly peers my age, who had also decided to invest a year of their lives volunteering in another country. We socialized together at seminars in Cologne and Hamburg and exchanged information about the projects we were involved in. I met people working in radio stations, kindergartens, theaters, circuses, and clothing shops producing items made by refugees living in Germany. I can truly say it was a real privilege to be surrounded by such people and hear their interesting stories and experiences.
I cannot conclude this story without mentioning all the wonderful opportunities I had for spending my free time meaningfully. During my volunteering, I visited more than 20 cities, thanks to the excellent rail system. I was able to take all these trips completely free of charge, using the monthly travel pass provided through the program. In Aachen, I formed a small but close group of friends with whom I played board games almost every weekend – an activity that became our favorite way to socialize. Since I love nature and walks, every other Saturday I organized trips around Aachen. These trips were one of my favorite ways to recharge, get to know the area where I lived, and connect with nature.
This volunteering experience was much more than just “ten months abroad.” It was a space for growth, discovery, connection, and learning – about others, but even more about myself.
One accidental click opened the door to a world full of meaningful experiences and encounters that I will never forget. I realized that the courage to “click,” to take the first step, can set off a chain of events that change your life.
If you ever get the opportunity – take it. You never know where a single click might lead you.
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The European Solidarity Corps (ESC) is an initiative of the European Union that creates opportunities for young people to volunteer or work on projects in their own countries or abroad that benefit communities and people across Europe. NARKO-NE is an accredited organization for sending and receiving volunteers within the ESC program.
