by Nisha from Sri Lanka

If there is a beginning, there is also an end. But I didn’t realize how fast the time can fly!

This whole year was packed with experiences, life lessons and emotions. I still remember how lonely and sad I was in the beginning of my volunteer year because it was the first time I was away from my family for a long period. Those days I was really thinking when will I finally be able to go home. But after some time the others arrived in the house and the house became full and my mindset changed. I really loved being a part of this volunteer family and in the last days I remember I didn’t want to go back to my home in my country. People around you, your experiences, and also time these factors really can change a person.

This one year I collected a lot of experiences and memories. And most importantly I started looking at things in different perspectives. I can say that I am matured than I was in the beginning of 2023. Also I think ups and downs, emotional situations and also freedom these things affected and also shaped us into better.

I really miss the time the 5 of us spent in the house. WG Abends on every Tuesdays, Segeln, functions in Studio 41, International Gottesdienst in Paulus Kirche, Deutschkurs with Jana at Referat, Helen or Phaskal cooking for us and we helping them with cutting vegetables and cleaning, singing together in the garden and living room; actually there are so many lovely things that we did and I think even one whole day will not be enough to remember and write them down.

UEM staff and Referat staff; Dirk, Carolin, Frauke and Jana really helped us a lot since the beginning to the end and made it possible for us to have a successful and wonderful volunteer year. You all were always making sure we are doing good and that we are safe. I still remember on the first day I arrived in Germany, I was at Referat in the conference room alone for some time and I started crying secretly because I started missing my family. After some time Frauke came to me and took me out for a walk and bought me Pommes! It was so nice. And also on the first day we went out from the house I could not work the zipper in my jacket and seeing Jana near the gate I ran to her and asked for help like a child asking help from a parent. Also on my first day at Wichernhaus when Carolin, Helen, Phaskal and Isaac came to drop me there, it was the first time for me to get in contact with a lot of German people, I was nervous and I didn’t know anyone at all in that place, and I was checking the time because Carolin said they all will come back to get me after I finish my work. And right at 4.30 I was outside the door waiting for them to come and get me like a nursey child waiting to be picked up. It was also very nice to see my mentorin coming to visit me at the Wichernhaus unexpectedly and I was always so happy to see her there so that I can share things with her.

Time to time I check my gallery to see our photos and videos and it feels like it was just yesterday we made the photo or video. I really miss you all dear Helen, Phaskal, Roselva and Isaac. I am grateful for your love, support and help. I hope all of us can meet in the future and remember the times we shared together.

My other UEM volunteer friends; Eva, Melina, Michellvin, Don, Daniel, Honey, John, Ruth, Gratian and Eliza I miss you all as well. I am so happy that we all could meet up in the seminars and also when you all came to visit us from time to time in the Volunteerhouse. I think the journey we all started together, we all could reach the end successfully together with a lot of memorable experiences and lessons. The connection we have, I hope we continue to have it forever.

I would like to once again thank the UEM and everyone very much who helped us and made it possible for us to have a wonderful volunteer year in Germany where we not only met people with beautiful hearts but also learned life lessons and experiences which I think we will remember during our whole life time.

May God bless us all!

Lots of love,

Nischa