Lebogang Mokoena

After completing my yearlong voluntary service in Berlin Germany, I have taken with me an understanding of an educational philosophy of Rudolf Steiner which Waldorf kindergartens or schools apply, using a theory on how knowledge and skills are exchanged in an educational context. Waldorf kindergartens, I have learned, instead of focusing mainly on theoretical education and learning remote from real life teaches rather learners to learn from life, through doing and making.

With this exposure, volunteering has expanded my comprehensive lens in which I see the world. It has shaped how I perceive and understand my own identity and those of people I interacted with, issues that affect us in our immediate surroundings, relations of people and institutions, for instance. Voluntary work helped me gain a global perspective.

To a larger extent, the opportunity enabled me to inquire and to explore issues regarding our role (s) and responsibilities in communities as individuals and or groups within our communities. Although I have extensive experience in volunteering for local non-organisational organisations that are children or education oriented, this had a huge impact in shaping my understanding of my community and societal issues. My voluntary services stimulated my probing, going beyond just traditional subject boundaries.

Gaining a global perspective can and has developed transferable skills in the work I do now as a freelance journalist. For instance, I have become very much interested in writing about different issues that I can relate to and at times have experienced first-hand or rather have become fond of either in South Africa or while abroad. I aim to write more on issues that affect people in national environments, as well as those emanating from social structures affecting people at a global level. Some of the themes I am interested in writing about now are on issues of immigration, inequality, and volunteering itself, for example.

Through this experience, I am inspired to make a positive impact where I am through engaging with community-based institutions. And, I do encourage young people across South Africa, Africa and across different places around the globe to start volunteering where they are. Start making a difference and be the light where you are. There is always work that can be done to serve and impact our communities positively through engaging with our local organisations.