05.05.2023

Sharing experiences, learning together

Melina and Daniel at UEM's office. Photo by: Johannes Schermuly, UEM

UEM’s mission house has two new volunteers: Melina Manase Nkongoki and Daniel Suryo Wasono have begun their one year service as volunteers in Wuppertal.

Wasono supports the Team “Real Estate”, where he joins in for tasks such as cutting trees, cleaning up the park, repairing house and furniture and so on. He is a member of UEM member church GKJTU*, born and raised in the Indonesian city of Semarang.

Nkongoki has joined the Team “Communication and Fundraising”, where she will support UEM’s social media channels, newsletter and website. She is a member of ELCT/KAD*, a member church in North Western Tanzania, originally from Karagwe District.

When asked about her motivation, Nkongoki explains: “In my church Karagwe Diocese, I have heard so much about UEM and its exchange programs, such as Staff exchange as in one of our church institutions: In Nyakahanga hospital there are two doctors from Congo. There is also the exchange program which I am now part of. I am looking forward to share my experiences and also learn from the Team Communication and Fundraising.”

Nkongoki and Wasono participate in UEM’s South-North Volunteers Program, bringing together youth from member churches in Asia and Africa with churches and church institutions in Germany. This way, the members of the communion get to know each other better and profit from each other’s experience and expertise.

Since their arrival, German local Radio WDR5 has interviewed the two volunteers, and will continue to accompany them through their year in Germany, making their perspectives known to a wider audience in German society.

We welcome Daniel Wasono and Melina Nkongoki to Wuppertal and look forward to a year of good cooperation.

*GKJTU = Gereja Kristen Jawa Tengah Utara (Christian Church of North Central Java)

*ELCT/KAD = Evangelical Lutheran Church of Tanzania, Karagwe Diocese