My experience as a milONGa volunteer was very gratifying.
Before presenting myself as a candidate, I did not know anything about the program; I learned about it through a professor.
Thinking about traveling to Brazil scared me a bit, for it is a much bigger country. Nevertheless, my arrival was easy, so natural, that I did not think that I should worry for things such as where would I be staying, etc.
Upon my arrival, I felt right at home, I felt welcomed by a family, loved and waiting by all. I never felt foreign; on the contrary, I felt that it was the place I had to be at that moment.
I suppose that is how it feels when you meet people who share the same values and passion in helping those in need.
My adventure in milONGa started when I was looking for a volunteer program in which I could work, and the opportunity of coming to Brazil appealed to me very much because at that moment I was learning Portuguese.
Although I did not know a lot about the Focolare Movement, I made the decision of taking a chance. Thanks to this, I met wonderful people and I had one of the best experiences in my life. I believe I would do it all over again.
What I liked best about this experience was that it was an educational volunteering opportunity, which allowed me to know myself much better.
The NGO for which I worked for is named SMF (Society of the Focolare Movement); there I had the opportunity of working in the process of management and especially in the area of fund raising.
I feel that I have learned a lot from this experience, professionally and personally.
I also had the opportunity of working on a fund raising project for one of the social actions with children, as well as developing proposals for the organization, such as the tools of management and proposals for the attainment of the funds.
I am very grateful for the work and the responsibility that has been given to me – I felt that my time on the project generated an impact, which was the reason why I decided to be a volunteer.
I had the opportunity to learn about the social projects in Barrio Carmo and Jardim Margarida.
Seeing the professionalism and dedication that they put in each of the projects in which they work with, the search for enhancing the quality of life of the people that are a part of each project, motivated me to strive for more.
Nowadays it is very difficult to find organizations that really have a long term impact in the communities; I feel very privileged of having the opportunity of being part of one of them.
This experience has confirmed my vocation and desire of working in the development of the communities, this vocation that has also been found in the SMF, has made us speak the same language. I feel that for this, it was very important for me to know myself more and know what I need to help others.