Volunteer Stories  |  Isabel

If you're looking for a trip through which you truly get to know the most authentic version of a place and its culture, volunteer work is ideal. Primarily, unlike the more standard form of travel, you are not an observer but a participant; you are able to experience society itself and interact with its people on a daily basis. Secondly, the type of participation itself is of a highly realistic nature; you work in very well selected organizations, which reflect all of the socio-economic and political problems that play a role in society. Thirdly, the staff at T2T is very preoccupied of supporting the volunteers in whatever way they want and/or need. If what you want is loads of background information and knowledge about history, society, culture, mentality, etc, you only need to ask. In any case, this is what I wanted and this is what I got.

I had decided that my first outside-Europe-experience would be in South-America and started my quest for a volunteer organization. I found many very large and sometimes quite commercial organizations. One of the big advantages of T2T is that it has a very personal quality. The staff are all extremely warm people who will not think twice about making sure that the volunteer feels well. In fact they very quickly became like family to me and from the beginning I was very convinced of being in good hands.

Not only did they make me feel perfectly at home, but also gave me all of the extra attention that I desired. I wanted to know everything about politics, social issues, culture, etc. They took the time to share their broad knowledge with me and had the patience to answer my many questions. I also wanted to have lived every day to the maximum. I wanted to have seen as many places as possible and have met as many people as possible. The T2T staff took me to the most authentic places, with the most authentic people and made sure that I didn?t get bored.

I worked in Artistika and at the orphanage. Artistika is a very peculiar centre; it offers classes to children from low-income families, but is probably the most beautiful house in Tijuana. Because the classes are quite informal, there is a very laid-back atmosphere in which the children are stimulated to be very spontaneous and playful. They are extremely enthusiastic about having a teacher from abroad all for themselves and will literally not be able to keep their hands of you; hugs are a first reaction. If you are looking for a relaxed situation with a positive atmosphere in which children can learn and play at the same time, I strongly recommend Artistika. The group is also quite small which results in very quickly built relationships.

At the orphanage I fell in love and had my heart broken at the same time. The kids are absolutely enchanting, it?s no wonder that all of the volunteers came back from work every day saying ?I want to adopt them all?. The heart-breaking part comes in when you realize how terrible the circumstances are in which they came to the world. Many of them have psychological problems, greatly due to a lack of attention and affection. The orphanage exists on a volunteer-basis; the government does not give any financial help whatsoever. The women who work there are very dedicated, but there simply aren?t enough of them to be able to offer the attention and affection that a baby needs. If you wish to truly be of help, this is the place to be.

My last point has to be about the length of stay. I stayed for only three weeks, the minimum. I very strongly recommend that if possible, volunteers should stay quite a bit longer than that. If I could have chosen I would undoubtedly have stayed for at least two months. Acclimatization alone demands about two to three weeks and experiencing a completely new culture is not something you want to do in a hurry. I must have forgotten to mention many important things, but do think I?ve highlighted the most essential ones. Don't hesitate to contact me for questions, information or anything at all.

When the rich make war, it?s the poor who die. Jean-Paul Sartre