The workcamp has just officially ended and although I am sad that these two weeks have already passed, I feel very fulfilled. Before coming to India and starting this adventure I had many fears, many doubts and I wondered if I would be able to be in a place so far from my home and with such a different culture and be able to feel safe and secure.

The fear of the unknown always accompanies us at the beginning of experiences like these, but this time, I decided to take fear by the hand and throw myself into this challenge.

As the days have gone by I have been feeling more and more comfortable. The guest house and its views from the balcony overlooking nature, the chef’s meals which, although spicy, were made with love, the conversations walking to school, the Tuktuk rides, learning about Tibetan culture and history, picking up trash with Waste Warriors in the river, feeling the sound of the Bagshu waterfall, trekking to Triund, watching the sunset and sunrise, teaching at the school, playing with the children and ending up dancing and singing together, renovating the playground, the funny cultural nights, the people from India, yoga lessons…

We volunteers have experienced so many things during these weeks that it feels like we have been here much longer. I also feel very fortunate to have shared this experience with four wonderful, strong and kind-hearted women.

Also with the team leader we have connected a lot and learned about Indian culture and the spirituality of this country, which has given me a lot. Without a doubt I have learned things that I will incorporate into my routine when I return to my country.

The most unexpected thing has been the amount of laughter we have created together during these days. I imagined many things about how this volunteering would be, but I never imagined that I would laugh so much and have such a good time.

I am so proud to have dared to jump and come to India, to have been able to give something back to the children at the school and to have been able to find so much beauty in this place.

Thank you all and see you soon!

-Soledad Maenza Ibarra