New Friendships and a Lot of Knowledge

Going ahead well prepared: The North-South-Volunteers are getting to know UEM and its member churches. Photo by: Johannes Schermuly / UEM

"I definitely brought great expectations to the anti-racism seminar because I think it is super important to be sensitised. After all, we have to be aware of our privileges and also be able to listen," is how 19-year-old Lotta describes how she came to the United Evangelical Mission's outreach seminar.

Together with 19 other young adults, she is preparing for ten days at the YMCA training centre in Wuppertal to volunteer for one year in a member church of the UEM in Rwanda. Others are going to Indonesia, Tanzania or to Ghana and Togo with the North German Mission. Here, the discussions with the South-North Volunteers are very important, who come from UEM’s Asian and African member churches and are volunteering in Germany.

In addition to questions of cultural understanding and health care, they also deal with homesickness, grief and racism. Lotta says: "For example in reporting: I wasn't aware before that I can also portray a hierarchy in selfies! So it's also important for me not to present myself as the white saviour that I'm simply not." It helps to learn together as a group. Hiba, who is also going to Indonesia, says: "I think we get along great, also as a group. I'm taking new friends with me from this seminar - and a lot of knowledge!"

Lots of input, little sleep, and long conversations with fellow volunteers in the evenings: this is how the young adults prepare for their year with the UEM. We wish them all the best and God's blessing for their voluntary service.