Volunteering 

When I first signed up to volunteer with the charity, I didn’t know what to expect. I had seen the harrowing images of children in mines, vast stretches of deforested land, and families displaced by violence. I wanted to help, but I didn’t realize how much the experience would change me.

​

My first day was spent in a small village near the edge of the Congo Basin. The air was thick with humidity, but the warmth of the people made me feel at home. I met Marie, a 12-year-old girl who had spent years working in dangerous cobalt mines. Her hands were rough, and her eyes held a mixture of resilience and exhaustion. When I handed her a notebook and some colored pencils, her face lit up with a smile that I will never forget. That moment showed me the power of small gestures.

​

As the days went by, I worked alongside locals to plant trees in areas devastated by deforestation. Each sapling we placed in the soil felt like a promise—a small step toward restoring the Congo’s breathtaking rainforest.

 

Children gathered around us, helping where they could, their laughter ringing out like a beacon of hope.

One of the most humbling moments came when I visited a makeshift school set up by the charity. Seeing children like Marie learning to read and write, free from the dangers of the mines, was deeply moving. Their gratitude was palpable, and I realized how far a little support could go in transforming lives.

​

Volunteering in the Congo taught me that change is possible, even in the face of immense challenges. It’s not just about what we give—it’s about the connections we build, the hope we inspire, and the love we share for humanity and the planet. I left the Congo with dirt under my nails, a full heart, and a renewed sense of purpose.

​

I often think about Marie and the trees we planted together. Each represents a brighter future—one that we can all be part of if we choose to act. Volunteering doesn’t just change lives—it changes you.