How can volunteering impact your life?
My experience as a volunteer for children
When people ask me about volunteering, I immediately think about one place; the sunny Debeli rtič on the Slovenian coast. When I close my eyes and think about it, I am transported there instantly. I can still feel the sun on my skin, the salty water on my lips, the breeze in my hair, and the laughter of the children. It feels like I can do anything.
Nadica Žnidar
I first started volunteering at the Slovenian Red Cross Youth Health and Holiday Resort Debeli rtič in the summer of 2022, where I cared for children from diverse social backgrounds. At first, I remember being nervous and not knowing what to expect. But the place, the people, and the children quickly became a part of my identity.
I first started volunteering at the Slovenian Red Cross Youth Health and Holiday Resort Debeli rtič in the summer of 2022, where I cared for children from diverse social backgrounds. At first, I remember being nervous and not knowing what to expect. But the place, the people, and the children quickly became a part of my identity.
Challenges and moments of joy
During the summer, from 28 June to 31 August, each week a new group of children arrived with different personalities, different backgrounds, and different abilities. It was my job as a volunteer to take care of them. I took them to breakfast, I made sure they were having fun throughout the day and that they went to sleep happy. We also had all sorts of games and activities prepared for them, tailored to their age and organised by another group of volunteers.
It is very important to mention that these are children who come from a socially difficult background. They may have financial, family, or other societal problems. And because of that, it’s very important to know how to respond and advise in certain situations.
It goes without saying that not all moments are happy, not all days are easy, and not one day is the same. Sometimes you’re tired, frustrated, mentally and physically exhausted, but there are, of course, moments that show you why you do volunteering. I remember one specific example of a little boy who at first didn’t behave that nicely. He was always sad and angry, and at first it was really hard to work with him. But as the days went by, his smile grew every day, and his behaviour changed. And at the end of the week, when it was time to leave, he told me: “Nadica, I had an amazing time and I’m really going to miss you.”
And in that moment, I knew why I became a volunteer, and that working with children is what I want to do. I knew that I wanted to make them happy, bring them comfort, and I could do that through volunteering.
A step further – joining TDFF
For me, volunteering is a little bit of everything. It was exactly this realisation that led me to join the Travel Different for Future (TDFF) community, where I could combine my passion for volunteering with meaningful travel experiences. I believe this programme is important because it encourages young people to rethink the way they travel – not just as tourists, but as active participants who can have a positive impact. I joined TDFF because I wanted to expand my volunteering beyond Debeli rtič, to connect with like-minded people, and to share stories that inspire change.
The story of TDFF
The TDFF movement started in 2022 with a small group of enthusiastic volunteers, and today it already has nearly 100 members. Together, we strive to promote sustainable tourism, raise awareness about responsible travel choices, and create opportunities for young people to get involved in projects that make a difference. Our vision is simple: with thoughtful decisions while travelling, we can help improve the world.
International youth seminar
This year, we organised the 5th international youth seminar, which brought together 40 young people from Spain, Slovenia, Germany, and Portugal. We discussed sustainable tourism, shared examples of good and bad practices, and worked in research groups. I was part of the group that explored possibilities for volunteering during travel. If you want to hear more about what being part of the TDFF community means, check out our Instagram video, where volunteers share their experiences. As part of our research, we also conducted interviews with the SPIN organisation and two inspiring volunteers, Lalli and Jules. These stories bring our mission to life and proof of how important it is to combine volunteering with travel.
An invitation to join us
To wrap it up, I warmly invite you to follow us for more stories and inspiration, such as the journey of our volunteer Dylan, who joined his first Erasmus+ youth exchange in Lithuania at only fifteen years old. His story is just one example of how volunteering and travel can open doors, shape lives, and create a lasting impact.
The message is clear: with thoughtful decisions while travelling, we can all help make the world a better place.