Gulcan is a young woman from Turkey who works as a social worker in her home country. But there came a time when she wanted to make a bigger change in her life, so she decided to join ADRA’s international volunteer program. And now we get a glimpse into her story. 💚👇

I am a social work professional, and working with people—especially children—has always been at the center of my life. Although I had experience working with vulnerable groups, the idea of volunteering abroad was both exciting and intimidating. Leaving my comfort zone, moving to a new country, and working within an unfamiliar system felt like a big step. However, I was strongly motivated to experience working with children in a different context and to gain deeper insight into humanitarian work. 

Before coming to Serbia, I had many questions in mind. Would I adapt? Would I be able to express myself? Would I truly be helpful? My first week was both exciting and challenging. A new country, a new culture, and a different working structure required flexibility. Language was one of the main difficulties at the beginning, but the support of the team and the genuine openness of the children made the transition smoother. Gradually, I adapted to both the environment and the working rhythm. 

At the Ecumenical Humanitarian Organization (EHO) in Novi Sad, I worked mainly with children living in refugee camps and children from the Roma community. The organization focuses on creating safe spaces for children and supporting their social development. Throughout the year, I planned and implemented various creative workshops. In every activity, I aimed to create space for children’s imagination and to provide a safe environment where they could express themselves freely. 

My daily routine as a volunteer included not only facilitating workshops but also planning activities, preparing materials, writing reports, and attending team meetings. I learned, how to balance fieldwork and office responsibilities. At the same time, I learned, how important it is to develop creative solutions with limited resources. 

This year brought me significant personal and professional growth. My intercultural communication skills improved, I became more flexible, and I learned how to navigate uncertainty. Most importantly, I witnessed once again how children can generate hope through play and creativity, even in challenging circumstances. This experience deepened my professional perspective and reminded me that social work is not only about providing support, but also about creating space and empowerment. 

Although my project has now come to an end, the experience remains a meaningful chapter in my life. The relationships I built, the lessons I learned, and the moments shared with the children will continue to shape both my personal and professional journey. 

Did Gulcan’s experience catch your interest?

Our volunteers are involved in humanitarian work in Serbia, Zambia, and Uganda. If you’d like to experience something similar, read more on our website and join us! 

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The Humanitarian Volunteering for Solidarity Activities project (No. 101140258) runs from February 1, 2024, to January 31, 2027, and is co-financed by the European Union. The views and opinions expressed in this text are solely those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union or the grant provider (the Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency). Neither the European Union nor the grant provider are responsible for them.