Written by: ECHAV Volunteers 2025 (Group C)
The Power of a Caring Community
First of all, the protection of children requires not only regulations or government funded initiatives but rather a process that is permeated with living together, noticing, caring and acting with people. Our project in Nepal part of the European Solidarity Corps showed clearly how the strength of a united community could be quite powerful to the protection and welfare of its children. People in small villages and remote towns are even though they are not visible, doing a lot of time-consuming and energy-consuming things for children to grow up in a safe and supportive atmosphere. They are neither public figures nor professionals who work for international organizations. Nevertheless, their everyday actions keep their communities united. The main activity of the project was focused on the establishment of learning environments that integrated education with play. At the summer camp, English was instructed through entertaining activities such as singing, drawing and playing interactive games. The outcomes were way more than merely learning the language. The kids received self-esteem, became cooperative and learned to communicate without fear. Often what began as playing developed into discovery moments for the children as well as for us. Our support to children was the Kids Clubs which were in schools. The clubs were the places where students could discuss things like respect, friendship and children’s rights. The clubs became small participation laboratories where children were trained in listening, giving opinions and collaborating. One of the very important things was that the lesson learned was that every child’s voice matters. The local community’s engagement was vital in all these activities success.
Volunteering, Learning, and the Collective Power to Create Change
The local community’s engagement was vital in all these activities success. The teachers shared with us their knowledge and suggestions. The parents motivated the children and participated in the events with a feeling of pride that was nothing less than genuine. Local youth helped us organize the activities and supported us throughout the process. They brought creativity, enthusiasm and local knowledge to every step. Their participation showed that protecting children is not the responsibility of a single group but a shared commitment that brings the entire community together. Through this experience, we learned that protecting children is not only about preventing harm but also about creating opportunities for growth, learning and happiness. A simple conversation, a shared game or a kind word can make a great difference in a child’s life. We came to Nepal as volunteers but we left as learners. The local communities taught us about resilience, compassion and the strength that comes from unity. Real change happens when people work hand in hand, share ideas and act with empathy. Every child deserves to grow up in an environment of safety, love and respect. When communities come together around this shared goal, hope turns into action and that action builds a brighter and safer future for every child.
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