Leaving Rwanda to begin my volunteer year in Germany has been one of the biggest and most meaningful experiences of my life so far. Over the past months, I have experienced moments of excitement, uncertainty, learning, and personal growth. Through meeting new people, adapting to a different culture, and working with young people in my project, I continue to discover new perspectives every day. In this newsletter, I would like to share some of my first experiences and reflections from my life as a volunteer in Germany.

Before coming to Germany, my family organized a farewell party for me. It was a very emotional and beautiful moment because many family members, friends came together to wish me a safe journey and encourage me before starting this new chapter of my life. Their support gave me courage and made me feel deeply loved.

On the day of my departure, my family and members of the Jumelage committee accompanied me to the airport to say goodbye. I felt both happy and emotional at the same time. While I was excited to begin a new adventure in Germany, it was also difficult to leave my family and familiar surroundings behind. Seeing everyone there to support me reminded me how important this journey was, not only for me, but also for the people who believed in me.

Travelling by airplane was also a completely new experience for me because it was my first flight. I was full of excitement and curiosity throughout the journey. Instead of feeling tired, I spent most of the time looking through the airplane window, amazed by everything I saw and thinking about the new experiences waiting for me in Germany.

When we arrived at Frankfurt Airport, Herr Helmut Eisel warmly welcomed us and took us to Trier, where we spent our first month together as volunteers. One of the first things that impressed me in Germany was the train system and the “Fahrplan.” Everything seemed very organized and punctual, which felt different from what I was used to in Rwanda. I also noticed differences in the food, daily routines, and culture.

Our first month in Trier mainly served as an introduction and orientation period. We were warmly welcomed by the SoFiA team and had the opportunity to meet other volunteers, especially volunteers from Bolivia. Through conversations, activities, and seminars, we slowly became comfortable with one another and built friendships as a group.

Every morning we attended German language classes, while the afternoons were dedicated to seminars and group activities. At the beginning, speaking German was difficult for me, especially expressing myself and understanding conversations. However, the language course helped me gain confidence step by step and encouraged me to continue learning.

The seminars were also very enriching because they introduced us to German culture, daily life, and intercultural exchange. We shared many joyful moments together and explored different places around Trier. One highlight was visiting Luxembourg as a group. We also learned about Trier’s rich history through visits to places such as Porta Nigra, Saint Matthias Church, and the Trier Cathedral (Dom), where the Holy Robe of Jesus is preserved. Another unforgettable experience for me was celebrating Carnival in February for the first time. These experiences helped me feel more connected to both the culture and history of Germany.

I am doing my volunteer service at the Offene Jugendarbeit Haus Wasserburg in Vallendar and Urbar. The surroundings are very pleasant, with places such as the Alte Apotheke, a bakery, and the Rathaus nearby. The project provides a safe and welcoming environment for children, teenagers, and families from the local community.

The youth center has two locations: one in Vallendar and another in Urbar. We spend three days per week in Vallendar and two days in Urbar. The main goal of the project is to offer support, guidance, and a relaxing place where children and young people can spend time after school or during holidays.

The center encourages young people to relax, socialize, and express themselves creatively. Different activities are organized regularly, including games, painting, tournaments, creative workshops, hiking trips, visits to playgrounds, cooking, baking, and craft activities. One thing I especially appreciate is that the children and youth are encouraged to share their own ideas and actively participate in planning activities. This creates a strong sense of community where everyone feels welcome and valued.

I work together with a supportive team consisting of Noa, Annika and Rebekka. From the beginning, they made me feel welcome and helped me understand my responsibilities. During my first days, my supervisor carefully explained everything to me, which helped me slowly adapt to the new environment despite the language barrier.

Our work usually starts around 1 p.m., before the children arrive. During school holidays, children often come earlier in the morning. We work as a team in a friendly and cooperative atmosphere, with breaks lasting between 30 and 60 minutes.

My tasks are varied and interesting. I help children with homework and support them with school-related questions whenever they need assistance. I also organize games and recreational activities for children and teenagers who want to relax or socialize. Another important part of my work includes drawing, painting, crafting, cooking, and baking together with the children. Sometimes I also help prepare snacks, buy materials, or assist with cleaning and organizing activities.

These moments are meaningful for me because they not only support the children, but also help me develop practical skills, communication skills, teamwork, and responsibility.

One of the biggest challenges for me so far has been the German language. At the beginning, it was difficult to communicate confidently and fully express myself. However, working with young people every day motivates me to continue improving because I use German constantly in real-life situations.

What makes me happiest in this project is working closely with children and youth in such a positive environment. Playing games, participating in activities, and seeing the children happy and relaxed also makes me feel relaxed and connected. I especially appreciate the teamwork because everyone supports one another respectfully.

One of my biggest successes so far has been becoming more confident in my daily tasks and feeling increasingly integrated into the team. I am proud that I can now communicate more easily than when I first arrived in Germany. Step by step, I feel myself growing both personally and professionally through this volunteer experience.

I am currently living with a very welcoming host family in a beautiful house with an impressive view of the Rhine River. The peaceful environment and warm atmosphere have helped me feel safe and comfortable during my first months in Germany.

My host family has supported me a lot since the beginning of my volunteer service. They help me practice German through everyday conversations, which has increased my confidence in speaking the language. We also spend time together doing different activities, such as working in the forest or visiting nearby places. These shared moments have helped me feel more connected and welcomed.

I am still in contact with the other volunteers I met during the introduction month in Trier. Two of them work in the same Koblenz region as I do, so we sometimes meet and spend time together. We also meet during SoFiA seminars, such as the seminar in Kyllburg auf dem Stiftsberg. These seminars are always meaningful because we exchange experiences, discuss intercultural topics, and learn from one another’s different backgrounds and cultures.

One thing I particularly enjoy during these meetings is sharing our cultures and experiences. These moments are full of openness, happiness, and mutual understanding, and they help create strong friendships among the volunteers.

Whenever I feel confused, stressed, or uncertain, my friends and the people around me support me greatly. They listen to me, encourage me, and give me advice whenever I need help. Knowing that there are people I can rely on makes adapting to a new country much easier.

Of course, there are still challenges in everyday life. The German language can still be difficult sometimes, especially during fast conversations. However, I try to see these challenges as opportunities to grow stronger and more independent.

Living in Germany has already taught me many important lessons about patience, openness, independence, and adapting to new situations. I have learned that even small moments such as having a conversation in German, sharing laughter with friends, or receiving kindness from others can make a big difference in feeling at home.

For the rest of my volunteer year, I hope to continue improving my German language skills, strengthen my relationships with the people around me, and gain even more experiences through my work and daily life. Looking back at these first months, I feel grateful for all the people who have supported me and for the many experiences that continue to shape my journey in Germany.