What inspired you to work for Cooperating Volunteers?
Having traveled with my organization to Tanzania as a volunteer, I loved the way they worked and organized things, and I also loved working with the local team there, so I got more involved to the point in which they hired me.
I wanted to get to know more about their destinations and projects, to be able to be part of expanding their impact.
Describe a typical day at work.
In our office in Madrid, we have such a good team, that every day goes by so quickly!
We generally have something different to tackle every day, and we do it in a very cooperative manner, always communicating with each other and making sure everyone is clear and happy with what they have to do. We have a very close relationship amongst the staff, so our lunch breaks and most days spent in the office are very fun.
Malena and Hans in the Ngorongoro Safari.
Why do you do what you do?
I personally love to travel, and having the opportunity to do that in a culturally conscious way is so much better than the typical touristic trip. With these volunteering experiences, you actually get to know the local people and culture you are living with, and you're able to help the community as much as you can.
What is your favorite part of your job?
I love working with my colleagues in the office every day, we're like a family here. But also, having the opportunity to go to the destinations where our projects are developed, getting to know the local team, developing our projects, and improving the social outreach we have there, is definitely the best part of my job.
What advice would you tell your pre-travel self?
I would tell myself to dive in head first, but also be prepared for all the chaotic and unforeseen events that will occur. You have to be conscious that every place works differently and you have to be prepared to adapt and respond quickly to the circumstances around you. But in the end, every single moment is worth it
Why should someone choose Cooperating Volunteers over competitors?
Cooperating Volunteers distinguishes itself because of its personalized attention to each and every volunteer. Our team is available 24/7, and guides each person before, during, and after their travel.
More importantly, I think that one of our strongest points is also the way we manage our projects on the ground, working side by side with local communities. These locals are the ones who are actually developing social initiatives that have a true impact on the community, we act as supports.
What hopes do you have for the future for Cooperating Volunteers?
I hope that more people get to know us and how we work, because nowadays our volunteers are mostly Spanish-speaking, and we would love to reach other parts of the world. This way we can expand our impact to other destinations, and of course improve the already existent projects and the outreach they have on the local community.
With the children of the school in Jambiani, Zanzibar.
Are there any developments with your organization that you would like to share with us?
We inaugurated our NGO in September 2023, and we are very proud to have launched it. We hope it can further our commitment to the development of the communities we work with. Apart from this, we are in the process of becoming a B Corp company, which is taking a lot of hard work from my colleagues, and we are very proud to be solidifying our social commitments.
What is your organization's mission and how do you continue to work toward it?
Our organization's mission is to promote solidarity and cooperation as the main agents of change towards the sustainable development of communities and people. We aim to achieve this through the work of volunteering in different areas that range from education, community development initiatives, nature and wildlife conservation, and healthcare.
What do you hope participants take away from your programs?
We all hope that each person who comes to one of our projects can take away more than a volunteer experience, we strive to make a long-lasting impact in their lives, helping them create unforgettable memories, and especially personal development that will stay with them forever. We wish that they actually create a bond with the people they meet here and that they leave the project feeling like they made a tangible change in the community.
Kim, our coordinator, with locals taking part in the empowerment program in Zanzibar.
How do you help support participants?
We support our volunteers by giving them round-the-clock assistance during all the phases of their experience. Before leaving for the project destination, we assist them with all the travel documentation, ensuring they have everything well prepared so no problems arise when they leave.
Once they are on-site, we have local coordinators who are there to help them with anything they may need, and that will make sure that their experience there is smooth and enjoyable.
If you could participate on one of your organization's programs, where would you go and what would you do?
I have already participated in more than one program, like the teaching program in Tanzania, where I spent a full month.
Secondly, I have participated in and helped develop the community development program in Zanzibar, in which adults receive English lessons, which are essential to help them get jobs on the island.
Why is it important for people to travel abroad and experience new cultures?
I believe it is essential for one's personal development to get to know people and cultures outside of their own. Having an open mind in today's society is a must-have, and even more so with the ongoing globalization.
Going outside of your comfort zone is always going to involve new challenges and even some complicated situations, but it will always end up pushing your personal development and creating an enriching experience. There is just so much to learn and discover all over the world, I think everyone should at least try it out!
Why do you think learning a new language is important?
Learning languages has always been something I personally enjoy, but apart from being fun and challenging, I have come to learn that having more than one language opens up so many doors. Whilst traveling with extra languages can be life-saving, it generally enriches a typical experience, because it enables you to communicate with the locals and understand your surroundings so much better.
Apart from that, it opens your mind to new concepts and people, giving you opportunities that you didn't even know existed!
Malena and students a part of the teaching program in Arusha, Tanzania.
What issues do you see in the world of international education that don’t line up with your values and expectations for mutually beneficial & educational relationships between providers/programs and the communities in which they are located within?
I think that a big problem sometimes can be the lack of direct collaboration with the local teachers and staff. When participating in an international education program, you have to be closely aligned with the local curriculum and way of work, adapting to their needs and schedules, and working hand in hand with the teachers there.
What qualities in program & host community relations are important to you? (And Cooperating Volunteers?)
The most important thing is to listen to what locals have to say. The relationship between the programs and the host community must always be about communication and collaboration with one another. This is something we value immensely at Cooperating Volunteers because we wouldn't exist without the great work being carried out by our local teams, who are the ones that make the projects advance and improve every day.
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
Meaningful travel involves a series of things. Namely, actually getting to know the culture and people of the country you're visiting, which is something a lot of people look over. Nowadays the tourism industry has, to some extent, become detrimental to the local community.
Traveling more sustainably and consciously, and helping and involving yourself whilst you're there, gives the travel experience a whole new level of depth and meaning.