My name is Sina, I am 26 years old and I have an academic background in social sciences and humanities. During my studies, I’ve volunteered with various (I)NGOs in my country, and then, I worked as a caseworker for 2 years for the US Refugee Admission Programme at ICMC’s Resettlement Support Center Turkey and Middle East. 

After the suspension of the Resettlement Programme, I had to find an opportunity and I wanted to continue to be a part of the humanitarian sector. That’s why I’ve been a part of the ESC Humanitarian Aid Project with ADRA and Philanthropy. 

The host organization that I’ve volunteered for, Philanthropy, implements development programs providing psychosocial support, social services, educational programs for the unemployed, and local communities’ capacity building programs targeting the most marginalized and deprived groups of people: vulnerable children and youth (in rural areas), the elderly, people living with HIV, and long-term unemployed women. 

I have now completed 4 months with Philanthropy. This is not only the longest time I have lived abroad, but also my first time working with a local NGO in a foreign country. It has been a nice opportunity to learn about the organization’s projects and to observe field activities in Ruma and Kraljevo. 

The most profound experience for me so far was attending the “International AIDS Candlelight Memorial” in Belgrade, a photo of which I have enclosed. In my opinion, remembrance and confrontation are incredibly important. It was a moving public event, and I felt that everyone present genuinely confronted and accepted their responsibility regarding the hardships those individuals were forced to endure. At the very least, I believe it was a step in that direction. 

After four months, I am turning back to Turkey. Navigating life in a foreign country can be difficult, and the feeling of alienation is a challenge. Yet, the possibility of being a part of something good gave me the resilience to keep going. 

Did Sina’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! 

Volunteer abroad with ADRA

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.