Humana Volunteers

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐭 𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝟐𝟎 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐚 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐦 𝐢𝐧 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐚 𝐟𝐞𝐰 𝐝𝐚𝐲𝐬? 🌱 For our August team, it looks like shared bikes, shared meals, spontaneous dance sessions, and a growing sense of purpose. 🚀 After just one month at Lindersvold, our partner school in Denmark, this international group of volunteers has already built something meaningful: a community rooted in trust, commitment, and shared values. 🌍 Together, they’re navigating global issues, personal growth, and what it truly means to work in solidarity across borders — all while preparing for their 6-month project stage in Africa or India. ✨ Their journey is only just beginning, and we’re excited to follow the impact they’ll create — and the transformation they’ll experience along the way. 💚 All 2025 teams are full, but applications for 2026 are now open. If you’re ready to challenge yourself, contribute to long-term development work, and become part of a global movement — this is your chance. 🔗 humanavolunteers.org

🏫 We are building more than walls — we’re building trust, dignity, and a future that begins in early childhood. 🇲🇼 Emma, Silvia, and Idelma — our January team trio in Malawi — are supporting an educational project that reaches 28 preschools across rural Blantyre. In one of these communities, something extraordinary is taking shape: 📍 In Chimphanga Village, where 40 children still attend classes under a tree, the community has been working closely with DAPP Malawi and The Federation Humana People to People for the past two years to make a dream possible: to build their own preschool. What began as a request for support has evolved into a collective effort — spanning multiple volunteer teams, local partners, and families who have molded every brick by hand. 🧱 When we visited Malawi last month to meet our volunteers, we had the privilege of spending a morning with the community. Together, we formed a human chain to transport hundreds of bricks — hand by hand — from the roadside to the construction site where the preschool would soon rise. 🫶🏾 That day was emotional and unforgettable. And those bricks? They now support the very walls — and the roof — of what will soon become a safe learning space for the children of Chimphanga. 💪🏾 The community has made remarkable progress, but there’s still a long way to go. The roof is up, but the classroom is far from finished — and support is still needed to bring this preschool to life. Every contribution counts. ✨ You can support the project here: https://lnkd.in/dyssnVXy When the community brings the will — we can bring the way.

Before heading off to their project stages, our April team shared one last boat trip together — a joyful, emotional send-off full of laughter, hugs, and anticipation ⛵ 🏫 After 3 months of preparation, they’re now stepping into the heart of the experience: six months supporting local initiatives in education, agriculture, and community development. Our program is more than volunteering abroad — it’s 10 months of growth, purpose, and shared transformation. ✨ All our 2025 teams are now full — but applications for 2026 are open. If you're ready for a new kind of challenge, one that connects you to others and to a greater cause, this might be your sign. 🗓️ Next available teams in 2026: January • April • July • October 🌍 Projects in 🇲🇼 🇿🇲 🇮🇳 🇨🇩 🇬🇼 🔗 Fill out the form for more information: humanavolunteers.org

🗞️ A recent article in Diario EL PAÍS takes a hard look at the rise of volunturism and medical neocolonialism — a kind of short-term volunteer trips that often serve the visitor more than the community. When done carelessly, these experiences risk reinforcing stereotypes, displacing local professionals, and creating cycles of dependency. 🌱 At Humana Volunteers, we’ve built our program on a different foundation: one that centers mutual learning, local leadership, and long-term cooperation. The article outlines four key conditions for doing volunteering right — and we proudly meet each of them: 💬 𝐋𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬: Every project we support is rooted in the priorities set by local partners in Malawi, Zambia, India, DR Congo, and Guinea-Bissau. And our volunteers just join these efforts — they don’t direct them. 🎓 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠: Before traveling, participants complete a 3-month intensive preparation program at DRH Lindersvold Denmark. This includes political education, team-building, ethical communication, and a deep dive into the realities of development work. 🌍 𝐋𝐨𝐧𝐠-𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐦 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭: Our volunteers spend 6 months living and working in the field — not just a couple weeks. This allows for genuine integration into local communities and sustainable, respectful contributions. 🤝 𝐇𝐮𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐢𝐬𝐦: We don’t seek saviors. We seek teammates. People willing to listen, learn, support, and show up consistently alongside local leaders. Volunteering should never be about momentary feel-good experiences. It should be about building solidarity across borders — with care, consciousness, and responsibility. 🌐 If you’re looking for a program that challenges you to grow while contributing to long-term, community-led change visit humanavolunteers.org 🔗 And you can read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/dzfyfC4d

🌍 𝑺𝒕𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒈𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒏𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔 𝒂𝒄𝒓𝒐𝒔𝒔 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒔 🚀 Last week, we had the pleasure of welcoming Cedric and Keegan to our Madrid office — two key DI responsibles working with our volunteers on the ground in Malawi and Zambia. Their visit was a valuable opportunity to exchange knowledge, align strategies, and reflect on how we can better support each other across regions and roles. 📚 We explored the entire volunteer journey, from recruitment to the project stage. Cedric and Keegan got an inside look at the work our Volunteer Advisors do to guide each applicant through the enrollment process — a combination of tailored support, ongoing communication, and strategic outreach across different countries. 📸 Together, we walked through the Ethical Photography workshop we deliver to all teams before they travel — a space to discuss representation, power dynamics, and the kind of storytelling we want to promote. Their insights added an important layer of perspective, coming directly from the field where many of those images are taken. 🤝🏾 They also met with our partnership team to learn more about how we build and sustain collaborations, and how these efforts contribute to long-term project support. It was a moment to connect the dots between global alliances and local impact. ♻️ The visit to our sorting center in Leganés added a practical dimension: seeing how second-hand clothing fuels the economic sustainability of the very projects they manage. From donation to distribution, it’s a system deeply rooted in circular economy principles and solidarity. 🍽️ And of course, we made time for good food and conversation. Over a traditional Spanish lunch at the office, we got to know each other not just as colleagues, but as people working toward a shared mission. 🌱 This visit reminded us that running a global volunteer program is not just about logistics — it’s about care, cooperation, and constant learning. Thank you Cedric and Keegan for your dedication in the field, and for bringing your knowledge, presence, and energy into our space. We’re proud to walk this path with you 💚. #HumanaVolunteers #GlobalSolidarity #InternationalCooperation #SustainableDevelopment #Volunteering

“𝑊𝑒’𝑟𝑒 𝑔𝑜𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡𝑜 𝑏𝑢𝑖𝑙𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑏𝑖𝑔𝑔𝑒𝑠𝑡 𝑤𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑚𝑖𝑙𝑙 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑙𝑑.” 🎥 A bold statement — and one that, for our volunteers, holds more meaning than it seems. 🌱 As they approach the final weeks of their training period in Denmark, this team isn’t just preparing to travel to projects in Zambia, India, or DR Congo. They’re preparing to show up with purpose. They’re learning to work in teams, to listen deeply, and to think critically about their role in a world that needs change — and changemakers. 👥 This journey is not just about logistics or skills. It’s about self-discovery, shared responsibility, and connection — with each other and with the communities they’ll soon join. 💫 Noa captured a glimpse of that spirit in this short video — a window into the friendships, the laughter, the commitment, and the movement that comes before impact. 💚 Because volunteering isn’t only about what you do. It’s about who you become — and who you walk with along the way. 🌐 If you also believe change starts with people, visit humanavolunteers.org and apply for your scholarship today! #HumanaVolunteers #GlobalSolidarity #Development #Volunteering

🌍 Stepping back to move forward — that's exactly what our April team did on a recent field trip to Møns Klint, one of Denmark’s most stunning natural landmarks. 🏞️ All together — volunteers, teachers, and special guests — they spent the day hiking along the cliffs, pausing to reflect on their journey so far and to connect beyond the classroom. Gert and Corinne, from the teaching team at DRH Lindersvold Denmark, joined the experience, alongside Asteris and Alexandra from the August team, currently in their Bring It to the Public month. 🌱 This wasn’t just a scenic outing. It was a moment of inter-team exchange, where new volunteers got to meet peers already further along in their journey — ask questions, share laughs, and feel the real impact of community in action. 💚 At Humana Volunteers, we believe that meaningful change happens through connection: across cultures, across continents, and across generations of volunteers. Moments like this —shared walks, thoughtful conversations, and simply enjoying nature together— are what turn a training program into a global movement. ✨ To the April team: your curiosity, solidarity, and openness continue to inspire us. And to Asteris and Alexandra: thank you for leading by example and making the path clearer for those just starting out. 💬 Interested in learning more about our volunteer journey and how we prepare for international development work from day one? Visit humanavolunteers.org for more details! #HumanaVolunteers #MonsKlint #InterculturalLearning #BringItToThePublic #VolunteeringJourney #InternationalVolunteering

Last week, half of our April team made their way to Milan for Investigation Week — a key chapter in their training stage before going to their projects in July. 🇮🇹 Their first stop? Our sorting center and the offices of Humana People to People Italia. There, they explored the second-hand clothing system from the inside out — understanding how a donated T-shirt in Europe can help fund a teacher’s salary in Zambia or support a women’s health project in DR Congo. 📦 It’s a powerful, often unseen chain of solidarity that connects wardrobes in the Global North with futures in the Global South. ♻️ They asked big questions, shared insights, and connected the dots between consumption, sustainability, and global equity. ✨ And after a full day of learning, they did what any good traveler in Milan would do: enjoyed some well-deserved gelato 🍦 and took in the city’s energy. 🌍 This visit is part of their preparation before heading to the field — where they'll contribute directly to education, health, and community development projects in India, Zambia, and DR Congo. But long before boarding that flight, experiences like this help shape the mindset, understanding, and commitment that true volunteering requires. 💚 Thank you for your curiosity, your energy, and your joy. We’re learning with you, and we’re excited to see where your passion leads. 🌐 Do you want to be part of something that connects local action to global impact? Learn more at humanavolunteers.org

🛠️ 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐛𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐛𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 ✨ 🏫 At Lindersvold, the volunteer journey doesn’t just start with theory or lectures. It starts with tools, paint, soil—and a shared responsibility to take care of the place we live and learn in. 🛠️ Every few weeks, our volunteers take part in Building Weekend, a moment in the training period where the entire team steps away from the classroom to repair, improve, and reimagine the physical space around them. 🔨 This past weekend, the April team repaired and painted a worn-down wall and spent hours restoring the gardens that make the school feel welcoming and alive. 🖌️ But it’s about more than fresh paint or neat flower beds. It’s about learning that change is something we create with our own hands. That leadership can look like sanding a wall. That caring for a community starts with caring for the space that holds it. 🌱 In a world where “impact” is often associated with big campaigns or distant outcomes, Building Weekend is a grounding reminder: 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞. #HumanaVolunteers #TrainingForChange #VolunteerJourney #BuildingWeekend #LearningByDoing #AnotherKindOfSchool #SustainabilityInPractice

✨ 𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭: 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐚 👋🏼 🌍 From Italy to Zambia—with heart, intention, and a backpack full of questions. Martina Cervetti is one of our volunteers from the January team, currently supporting educational and community projects in Ndola, Zambia, as part of our international volunteer program. 🌐 What makes Martina’s journey unique is not only her commitment on the ground, but also her ability to reflect, document, and connect beyond borders. Through her blog "Cervetta on the Road", she shares honest, beautifully written stories about volunteering, navigating cultural differences, and finding meaning in the everyday. ✍🏼 You can dive into her reflections here: www.cervettaontheroad.com But she didn’t stop there. 🇿🇲 Together with Karola, one of her adventure's buddies, Martina launched a fundraising campaign to support MAPSA Academy, a grassroots football project empowering local youth through sport. Their goal? To provide sports equipment and cover tournament costs for over 70 children in the community. ⚽ Learn more and support the campaign here: https://lnkd.in/du7Pr29Y 🌱 She constantly reminds us that volunteering is not just about presence—it’s about participation, storytelling, and action. 💚 Thank you, Marti, for bringing all of that—and more—into this journey. #MAPSA #VolunteeringAbroad #YouthEmpowerment #GlobalSolidarity #ChangeMakers