by Jason-Lee from Namibia

As a South-North volunteer, I work for the Evangelische Jungend Dortmund and Studio 41. I am passionate about working with young people. It makes me feel good to know that I might be leaving a footprint in the lives of young people – my year of volunteering in Germany so far has been blessed beyond my imagination.

One day, me and my colleague Simon were busy baking waffles for all the people at our workplace (the Evangelical Church District of Dortmund) and handing out waffles and spontaneously we were both approached to model for a cover for a newspaper called “MENSCH”. I remember Simon saying: Jason is a model. I was so shy, not knowing that this would become a reality.

After a few days, I got an email asking if I would be interested in the shoot for the MENSCH reportage and I replied with so much excitement, yes, I would be honored. And the shoot was arranged with the photographer Erik Benger. Erik and I set out to find different backgrounds like the Reinoldikirche and the U-building in Dortmund and started taking pictures. I was so shy because everyone was looking, but it was so much fun at the same time.

So far so good. On November 16, 2024, I worked in Studio 41 and painted a wan with so much love – in the color PINK, by the way. After I finished the painting, I took out my cell phone and got a text from my colleague Sara at Studio 41, who sent me a picture of the MENSCH report with my face on the cover. To be honest, I went crazy seeing myself on a cover for the first time, I was full of joy and laughter and felt so blessed.

This is my way of thanking everyone for their love and support. I appreciate everything and will never forget this blessed year. To anyone interested in volunteering, my advice is: do it, you will never regret it.