Reem is still familiar with voluntary work from her first home country, Syria, where she grew up. Back then, “voluntary work” seemed strange to her: a job for which you don’t get paid, even though you do a lot? That didn’t make any sense. But for a few years now, Germany has become her home. Here, Reem has only really understood volunteer work since she herself volunteered with tünews INTERNATIONAL.
When she thinks of volunteering in Syria, her first association is working in orphanages. That was very common there before the war, she reports. Since the war began, however, there have been many more places: “For example, the White Helmets or the Molham Team – these two have become very well known.” In Germany, she observes other focal points in volunteer work. Sports and leisure clubs are particularly popular here, she says. “There you can improve your own talents and teach them to other people.” Many more people seem to volunteer here than in Syria. Reem explains why: “It depends on the economic situation. We are doing so well here in Germany that we can still do something extra in our time. In contrast, many people in poorer countries absolutely need their time to earn money to live on.”
For Reem, volunteering helps a society grow together. Money is not the most important thing: “You gain experience, get to know other people and yourself better through your work and develop self-discipline.”
tun21070604
Starke Frauen. Foto: tünews INTERNATIONAL / Mostafa Elyasian.
