I spent three months as volunteer in Calulo, Angola, and it was an unforgettable experience for me.

My activity consisted of helping the Don Bosco sisters and taking care of the children, I had a set program for every day of the week. Every Wednesday and Thursday, I was teaching at the primary school in Calulo, which is run by the sisters. My subject was art, so together with students we were painting and drawing and making products from paper, carton, crepe paper, wooden-skewer, string, beads, wire, thread and wool. I taught younger students in the morning and older students in the afternoon. Every Monday, Tuesday and Friday morning, together with teachers and a responsible sister, I was going to the village of Quitila, where I was teaching in the local primary school the whole morning. I was also teaching art education there. In the afternoon, I spent time in Calulo with the girls from the boarding school. We played board games together, danced, or I helped them with their homework and tutored them in English. On Saturday and Sunday in the afternoon, I was teaching English those who were interested in learning English. On Saturday, I was teaching beginners who cannot speak English at all yet, and on Sunday, I was teaching older students who can already speak some English. Every Sunday morning I helped in the kitchen cooking lunch.

Overall, my stay in Angola was very rewarding and I enjoyed it very much. I had the opportunity to be part of the Salesian community there and spend time with the local people. I got to know the culture of Angolans and experienced their worries and joys. I gained a lot of experience. Thanks to my experience in Angola, I know that Africa is my home for the future.

Andrea Pevna