Humanitarian Volunteering – beyond the mission: when volunteers initiate social change

Volunteering: A space for initiative and experimentation

Within the ESC humanitarian program, each volunteer has the opportunity to propose a personal project in addition to their main mission. These projects must not only adapt to local realities and meet the needs of communities, but also promote volunteering and empower local populations.

Marta, Giulia C., and Giulia P. were deployed through the INTERVOLUNTEER initiative (a program focused on women’s leadership for peace and development in local communities) and took advantage of this opportunity to launch significant projects that combined innovation, social impact, and personal development. Here’s how they contributed to transforming the communities they worked with.

Marta and the animated film: raising awareness through storytelling

Marta, a volunteer in Bolivia with the Fundación Munasim Kullakita, created an animated film inspired by the stories of young girls who are victims of violence and trafficking. The project aimed to raise awareness in the community about the often invisible realities faced by these young women, while also highlighting the work of the foundation, which provides them with psychological, educational, and social support. The animation not only helped raise awareness among a wide audience but also gave a voice to the survivors, illustrating the power of storytelling as a tool for social change.

Giulia C. and art as a tool for inclusion

Giulia used mural art and photography to promote the inclusion of migrant and local women. In collaboration with artists and women from La Paz, she co-created a mural titled Mujeres entrelazadas, tejiendo historias, highlighting the strength and diversity of women. This project not only raised awareness of women’s roles in society but also helped boost their self-esteem through artistic expression. Simultaneously, a photographic exhibition helped tell the stories of these women, bringing often-overlooked paths into the spotlight.

Giulia P. and the educational comic: giving a voice to street children

Working with children living on the streets in El Alto, Giulia P. created a comic book telling the story of a young boy facing the challenges of urban life. This educational tool was used to raise awareness among both children and adults about the realities of child poverty, while also highlighting the resources and solutions provided by the foundation to help these young people achieve a better quality of life.

A lasting impact for volunteers and communities

These projects illustrate how volunteers, by taking the initiative, actively contribute to social change. Beyond their main missions, they develop project management skills, learn to collaborate with local actors, and contribute to actions that continue after they leave. These initiatives also strengthen the capacities of local communities, providing them with tools and spaces for expression tailored to their needs.

The impact of the volunteers is also measurable through concrete data:

• For instance, Giulia P.’s work in the carpas de escucha (outdoor listening spaces) provided psychological guidance to over 300 people in vulnerable situations. Through the Aula Móvil (mobile classroom), 628 children and adolescents received educational and psychosocial support, promoting their personal and social development. Her comic project Calletano y Richard has raised awareness among young people living on the streets and continues to be used as an educational tool.
• As for Marta, her psychological support work at the Munasim Kullakita shelter helped 12 individuals, contributing to the rebuilding of their life projects.
• Giulia C. contributed to the inclusion and expression of migrant and local women through her artistic initiatives, encouraging community participation and female empowerment.

The testimonials from the volunteers confirm that this experience has been transformative for them. Marta emphasizes how working with young girls allowed her to develop valuable resilience and listening skills. Giulia C. explains that her interactions with migrant women gave her a new perspective on social issues related to migration and inclusion. For Giulia P., her commitment to street children strengthened her desire to engage in long-term social and educational projects.

The feedback from the hosting organization also highlights that the presence of volunteers brings mutual enrichment. They help raise awareness among local populations and contribute to the training of social workers and educators, who can rely on these new tools and methodologies.

Conclusion: encouraging initiative for transformative volunteering

Volunteering in the ESC is a unique opportunity to contribute to change while developing personal skills. By daring to propose projects, volunteers go beyond their initial mission and become true agents of social transformation. These experiences show that volunteering is not just a one-time action, but can be a lever for awareness, inclusion, and empowerment for local populations.

ADICE continues to collaborate with Fundación Munasim Kullakita and regularly seeks volunteers for social missions on major issues. These missions offer a unique opportunity to make a real impact on the ground, while benefiting from structured and supportive guidance.