Carolina Jovanovic

Unleashing Potential Through Volunteering - A Heartfelt Journey in Namibia

I am thrilled to share my life-changing experience as a volunteer teacher in Namibia with the incredible NGO B360 Education Partnerships. For two weeks, I had the honour of teaching the "Career Starter Week" program with Markus Hübscher, to two remarkable groups of graduated students in collaboration with Bank Windhoek. This report encapsulates the essence of my journey and my key takeaways from this experience. 

Cooperation with bank windhoek

The hands-on support and partnership from Bank Windhoek were pivotal to the success of our volunteer program. This win-win collaboration between B360, Bank Windhoek and the participants exemplified the transformative potential of collective efforts in fostering sustainable change.

Impact and win-win

Working with the Namibian graduates was truly transformative. Their infectious enthusiasm, hunger for knowledge and unwavering commitment to personal growth were beyond inspiring and motivated me to give my best each day. Witnessing their progress throughout the "Career Starter Week" program was a testament to the power of education and empowerment. 

Memorable events

Numerous events stood out as unforgettable. One particularly inspiring moment was witnessing individuals with no finance background grasping the basics of financial planning, overcoming their fears and embracing new skills. This accomplishment highlighted the remarkable growth and determination of the participants. Additionally, the business case presentations on the last day left a lasting impression, highlighting the graduates' creativity and innovative thinking. 

On a more personal note, I would like to acknowledge the resilience of one of our second-week graduates, P, who endured a family tragedy during the course. Our thoughts are with you, P, and we hope you and your family are recovering.

And last but not least, I would like to extend my heartfelt appreciation to H, who designed and sewed beautiful clothes for my B360 partner and I as a thank you gift. Your talent and generosity are truly remarkable, H, and I am truly loving the dress!

Thank you’s

I would like to express my deepest gratitude to B360 for providing me with this life-changing opportunity. Their commitment to empowering young individuals is commendable and it was an honour to be part of their mission. Markus Hübscher, my partner in this journey and a truly inspirational leader, was also an unlimited source of energy and drive that made this experience even more enjoyable. I am also very grateful to Bank Windhoek for their exceptional collaboration and support throughout the project, which enabled us to create a nurturing environment for the graduates. Lastly, I express my heartfelt appreciation to Roche, my employer, for enabling me to embark on this meaningful journey.

To the incredible graduates I had the privilege of working with, thank you for your boundless energy, passion, and unwavering commitment to personal growth. I am confident that you will go on to achieve remarkable things and I am honoured to have been a part of your journey. Let’s continue to inspire one another and create positive change through our collective efforts!

In a nutshell

My volunteer teaching assignment in Namibia was a transformative journey of empowerment and growth. This experience has enriched my perspectives and reminded me of the transformative power of education. It also reaffirmed my commitment to making a meaningful impact in the lives of others through education, empowerment and inclusion and I am looking forward to applying that in my day-to-day life. Thank you for the experience, B360!