Across Continents: UNOY  sends EVS-volunteers to Colombia, Argentina and Nepal

UNOY Peacebuilders is very happy to be able to offer three volunteering placements in Colombia, Argentina and Nepal.  The service is funded with the support of the European Voluntary Service (Youth in Action Programme of the European Commission).

The volunteers will set off to their adventures around the beginning of the summer and they will only have to cover 10 per cent of the travel costs, and they will receive full costs for food, accommodation and insurance during the volunteering period.

Charlotte van der Tak was chosen for the volunteer position in Colombia, and during her 9-month volunteering period she will be giving workshops on issues such as human rights, democracy and gender. Her activities are meant to help the self-development of young people from a disadvantaged area. “I already have some experience on peacebuilding activities and my conversational Spanish is good, so I believe I am ready for the challenge!” she explains. Charlotte has previously been involved in producing promotional and educational videos in South-America, and she is hoping to be able to use those skills during her time at Escuela de Paz. “I strongly believe that video is a great tool for change.”

Josine van Kesteren will also be volunteering in South America, in Argentina. She had previously already spent 5 months doing research for her Master Thesis in Colombia, and the prospect of going back to South America made her apply to the volunteer position which she saw being advertised on Facebook. In Argentina, she will be working for Argentine Youth Organization for the United Nations for 5 months, where she will be giving educational workshops for children and youth on topics such as ethnic equality, citizenship and human rights. “I’m looking forward to seeing how a peace organisation really works on a grassroot level.”

Lisa Hilderink is the youngest of the three volunteers. She is going to Nepal to work at an orphanage, where she will be involved in organizing workshops and recreational
activities for the children. She will also be working as a mentor for disabled children and have the chance to develop her own project according to her own interest. Lisa
has recently graduated from Religious Studies, and she wants to go abroad in order to get new experiences. “I’m really curious to see what the religious atmosphere is like in Nepal. I think it will be a good experience for me, but I will miss my family.” Lisa has not spent as much time abroad as Charlotte and Josine, but she isn’t worried about a culture shock either. “I normally fit in well and I am looking forward to to experiencing a whole new culture.”

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