Dear Readers, this is a short reflection about my time and my service at Don Bosco Helenenberg, Germany. I’ve shared some of the things I’ve learned, the challenges I faced, and what inspired me. I hope it gives you a small picture of my journey.
As I sit down to reflect on my first few months in Germany with SoFiA e.V. at Don Bosco Jugendhilfezentrum Helenenberg, I feel grateful for this opportunity. It has been a journey of growth, learning, and discovering not only new skills. But also new sides of myself.
When I first arrived in Trier, everything was different—the language, the weather, the food, and even the small daily routines. I started my volunteer service at Don Bosco, a vocational school led by the Salesians. The school offers a variety of vocational training programs, and I’ve had the chance to be part of many areas including electricity, metalwork (Metallarbeiten), the digital workshop (Digitale Werkstatt), carpentry (Schreinerei). I work there and also take part in learning the skills, which has been a great combination of service and education.
In the first month, one of the most difficult challenges was the language—especially understanding and using technical German vocabulary. I knew some German, but speaking with instructors and youth in a technical context felt like learning a completely new dialect. However, the staff and students have been incredibly supportive. Many showed patience, used gestures, or even English words when needed. With time, my German has improved, and I’ve started to understand and to speak. Especially while working with tools or during hands-on lessons.
Jugendhilfezentrum Don Bosco Helenenberg
Empathy and teamwork in an intercultural environment
One of the most inspiring things here is the diversity at Don Bosco. The school also hosts accommodations for young refugees from different countries. I have had the chance to meet, work with, and learn from youth of various cultures. We often share stories, food, and even jokes during break time. This intercultural environment has taught me a lot about empathy, teamwork, and how similar we all are despite our different backgrounds. I also saw how installations are made here in Europe, especially in Germany, and how they use high-level technology for welding and craftsmanship. These modern methods were new for me and very exciting to observe and learn.
Another cool moment was in the Digital Workshop, where we got to explore basic programming and simple design software. It was something new for me, and I enjoyed seeing how digital tools are used in education and craftsmanship.
I also enjoyed taking part in a run for “Kinderstraße in Kenya”, where we collected money for each round we ran. The money was sent to help children there, and I was happy to be part of it.
Me at work
Electrical workshop
Working on the welding machine in the metal workshop
Don’t be afraid to make mistakes
My tip for new volunteers would be: don’t be afraid to make mistakes, especially with language. Just try! People will respect your effort. Also, say yes to every opportunity—whether it’s helping in a different workshop, attending a local event, or just having lunch with someone new.
This experience has inspired me not only to grow technically but also personally. I’ve learned to be more patient, open, and confident in unfamiliar environments. I’m looking forward to continuing my service and exploring even more fields at Don Bosco. There’s still so much to learn, and I feel proud of what I’ve achieved so far.
Yours, Murasandonyi Gallican