Participate

More and more young people are showing interest in supporting development projects abroad and getting to know different cultures. Many have completed their education and want to "gain new experiences, do something good, and learn" before starting their studies or vocational training. They aspire to experience the country and its people, and gain a better understanding of their culture and actions.

Against the backdrop of increasing globalization and the growing demand for intercultural competence, various institutions have developed programs within the framework of development cooperation. These programs offer interested volunteers the opportunity to broaden their horizons. The diverse programs cater to school students, university students, as well as seniors who wish to contribute their expertise to support projects.

The Friendship Circle Malawi aims to contribute to this endeavor. In collaboration with various institutions in Malawi and Germany, the Friendship Circle facilitates placements in Blantyre/Limbe, Malawi, for volunteers.

Program for the General Student Exchange (ASA).

In 2015, for the first time, two female students were placed in Blantyre through the ASA-Kommunal program. The Cultural Office of the City of Hannover and the City of Blantyre took the lead in this initiative. In October, Silvia Hesse met with the two landscape architecture students, Lea Becker and Wiebke Witthuhn, in Blantyre for an exchange of experiences, as she had previously worked with the City of Hannover.

Worldwards

Through the joint initiative "weltwärts" by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and civil society organizations, all interested young people between the ages of 18 and 28 have the opportunity to participate in a weltwärts volunteer service in countries of the Global South. Approximately 3,500 young people embark on weltwärts journeys each year, dedicating 12 months to work with a local partner organization in areas such as education, health, environment, agriculture, culture, or human rights.

Weltwärts is a service for learning, with a focus on North-South exchange and joint intercultural learning. Volunteers gain international experience, language skills, and personal competencies.

With the support of the Association of Lower Saxony Educational Initiatives - VNB e.V. in Barnstorf, young people also have the opportunity to complete their weltwärts volunteer year in a partner organization of the Friendship Circle Malawi and Twin City Partnership Hannover-Blantyre e.V.

The partner organizations include the Jacaranda School for Orphans in Blantyre/Limbe, the Teachers Training College in Blantyre, and Stella Maris Secondary School. The preparatory seminars at VNB aim to introduce prospective volunteers to global learning on an equal footing.

Topics covered during the seminars include intercultural communication, living with a host family, and understanding one's role as a volunteer from Germany in an African or Central American country. Requirements: a passion for and experience working with children and young people, creativity, independence, good computer skills (Facebook, websites), adaptability to the rules of the host country, and proficiency in English.

Thanks to the excellent cooperation with the Association of Lower Saxony Educational Initiatives - VNB e.V. in Barnstorf, the Friendship Circle was able to send the first two volunteers to the Jacaranda School in Blantyre/Limbe in 2013.

Weltwärts: Einsatzorte