Volunteer stories

India Hooi, Darjeeling and Nepal, 2011

"Joyous, enlightening, challenging, colourful, chaotic, thought-provoking, inspiring... these words might be used to describe the fabric of life in India... I have learned so much from the sisters, the teachers and members of the Loreto community who work with tireless dedication and passion to improve the lives of those in need."
India Hooi

India spent four months volunteering with the Loreto Sisters and Mary Ward International in the Darjeeling region of India and Nepal. She worked at the the Mary Ward Social Centre, helping with administrative work and at the Loreto Convent in Darjeeling where she taught music. She travelled to Nepal to work in the Loreto Development Centre in Dharan, which works with disadvantaged families of the stone breakers' village.

Read about India's volunteering experience

Bridget Scanlon, Alice Springs, 2009

 

“The dedication that
people like Sr Helen have to the indigenous people in itself was inspiring. There were a lot of resilient people who, despite being dealt the tough cards in life, made the decision to keep on going and often these people were the most kind, generous and open people I met.”
Bridget Scanlon

Bridget Scanlon, spent three weeks with Sr Helen Parer in Alice Springs assisting with the retail course being offered to young people by Charles Darwin University.

Bridget says that volunteering is a great way to bring things back into perspective and something that everyone should try to do. She encourages future volunteers to go with an “open mind” and to be prepared to “listen before asking questions”.

Caitlin Leahy, Darjeeling, 2010

 

“I came back home determined to continue working in ways that uphold the values I saw in action in Darjeeling.”
Caitlin Leahy

Having worked for MWIA for close to two years, I was curious to see what I would find if I ventured to ‘the other side of the fence’. In Australia, I had been involved in reviewing applications for funding and spreading the word about the Loreto Sisters’ education and development projects in the Darjeeling region.

Read about Caitlin’s volunteering experience

Kate Harwood, Kolkata, 2009/2010

“What a wonderful, self-discovering, eye-opening and joyous journey”
Kate Harwood

To miss a traditional Christmas celebration with my family… the beginning of a new year and to be away on my 21st birthday never crossed my mind when preparing for a journey I had set my heart on. How very privileged I am to have been a part of a special spiritual journey with the Loreto Sisters in Northern India.

Read about Kate’s volunteering experience

Danielle Forbes, Timor Leste, 2009/2010

“…anyone interested in volunteering should contact MWIA - it is an experience you’ll never forget!”
Danielle Forbes

I spent my time mainly in health care facilities around Baucau, the first week at a Leprosy clinic run by Indonesian sisters and the following at a rural clinic. I learnt many things during my time at these clinics, both about myself and about medicine. I think that this experience has altered my perceptions of developing world medicine, and will definitely influence the way in which I practice medicine in the future.

Read about Danielle’s volunteering experience

Suzie McKenzie, Nepal, 2010

“I hope to return soon... to see the... staff, girls and sisters who were so kind and generous.”
Suzie McKenzie

I had never heard of Dharan, Nepal, and was a little unsure of what to expect, but knew we were in safe hands while staying with Loreto Sisters. After an interesting and slightly hair-raising bus trip we arrived in our new home.

I spent two weeks in Dharan working in the childcare centre with children aged 2 to 4 years. The two staff members Sabith and Sabitra were the most welcoming and kind people I have met on my travels.

Read about Suzie's volunteering experience

Niamh Mooney, India, 2010

“India taught me the power of giving thanks.”
Niamh Mooney

I chose to volunteer with MWIA because I was impressed with the values of freedom, justice and integrity expressed in their work. MWI has a community-based approach to development that ensures sustainable impacts are made - changes that empower the community to continue change.

Read about Niamh’s volunteering experience

 

Kate Boggon-May, India 2010

“Every day brought new challenges and lessons.”
Kate Boggon-May

I volunteered with Mary Ward International because I believe their work is rooted in the right values: compassion, empathy, hard work and ‘doing good and doing it well’.

Read about Kate’s volunteering experience

Fenina Acance, India 2009

“we met some amazing women.”
Fenina Acance

Fenina chose to volunteer with MWIA as it offers “a unique experience with its established and extensive programmes across the world”. She says that Lolay, a remote rural community in steep and rocky hill top areas, was very inspiring. The community has been extremely isolated from vital resources including electricity and health care facilities. During their visit to Lolay the girls met “some amazing women who travelled hours up and down the hills assisting as paramedics or teachers at the local Loreto primary school”. 

Read about Fenina's volunteering experience
 

Read more about the experiences of MWIA Volunteers