When Rėja Toleikytė a 24-year-old volunteer from Lithuania, first heard about the Humanitarian Volunteering for Solidarity Activities (HVSA) project under the European Solidarity Corps, she saw an opportunity to do more than just travel — she saw a chance to serve.
“I wanted to connect with people on a deeper level,” she shares. “To step out of my comfort zone and contribute to something meaningful.”
Today, Rėja finds herself thousands of kilometres from home, working alongside local communities in Zambia with ADRA Zambia, one of the organizations implementing the HVSA project. Her days are filled with moments that are both humbling and inspiring — supporting youth-focused programs, engaging in community development, and learning about the everyday resilience of the Zambian people.
“Every day teaches me something new,” she says, her eyes lighting up. “From the strength of the mothers I meet in rural villages to the laughter of schoolchildren who dream big, I’m constantly reminded of how powerful connection and compassion really are.”
The HVSA project, funded by the European Union, aims to promote humanitarian values and international solidarity by supporting organizations to recruit, prepare, and deploy volunteers in both EU and non-EU countries. It gives young Europeans the unique opportunity to gain hands-on humanitarian experience while fostering mutual understanding across cultures.
For Rėja, the experience has been transformative.
“I came here to help in the communication department but I’ve gained just as much in return. The people here have taught me about resilience, about joy in simplicity, and about the importance of community.”
Her journey reflects the true essence of the European Solidarity Corps: building bridges between people, cultures, and nations through acts of service and shared humanity.
As her time in Zambia continues, Rėja hopes to carry these lessons with her long after the project ends.
“Zambia has left a mark on my heart. I’ll always carry a part of this place with me — and I hope I’ve left something positive behind too.”
#HVSA #EuropeanSolidarityCorps #HumanitarianVolunteering #EUinZambia #ADRAZambia #VolunteerVoices #YouthForChange
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