By Franz Rodriguez Gualdrón, Colombia/ Development Volunteer team July 2024 I’ve always had a deep concern about time. It’s the one thing you can’t earn back, can’t buy more of, and shouldn’t waste. So when I decided to hit pause on my professional life in Colombia (I was working all over the country between private and public sector) it wasn’t just for a change of scenery. I wasn’t looking for a break. (even if I was sick and tired of being disappointed and frustrated with politics) I was looking to contribute, to engage, and to ensure that whatever came next...

By Emelli Laleska Souza, Brazil / Development Volunteer team April 20024 My journey from CICD to volunteer with DAPP Malawi, changed the way I see the world and deepened my commitment to continue working for a more just world, with opportunities for all. My experience at CICD was intense, challenging, and incredibly enriching. During the three months of preparation, I went through moments of great learning. One of the most remarkable aspects was the multicultural environment: colleagues from different parts of the world, especially some Brazilians, became like family to me, a little piece of home in a foreign country....

By Ariaidine Nunes da Silva, Brazil / Poverty Activist team August 2023 If you seek personal growth and an opportunity to truly get to know yourself, CICD can be the turning point. Go with an open mind – the journey will be worth it. I recommend this experience to anyone looking to live with more meaning It was undoubtedly one of the most meaningful experiences of my life. I was looking for something that would unite purpose, learning, and contact with different cultures — and I found it in a space that allowed me to grow, question, and build something...

By Juan Pablo Prattz, Mexico, Development Volunteer team July 2024 Hi there, I’m Juan Pablo, from Mexico, and some time ago I had the opportunity to live a great experience in my life: I took part in an international volunteer program as a Development Instructor. After three months of training in CICD in the UK, I spent six months in DAPP Chilangoma, in the southern part of Malawi, working on educational and community development projects. I went there hoping to contribute… but I came back with much more than I ever expected—lessons, stories, friendships, and a deep personal transformation. Volunteering...

By Carla Barrado, Spain My story is worthy of being in a printed book, given the circumstances that encompass it. Each person is unique, and each person has their way of experiencing adventures and opportunities; however, the important thing is not to compare and not to think that it is better or worse, but that what will truly lead you to live the experience is simply living it. I joined the Gaia group in 2019 with the idea of starting the following August in the Poverty Activist team. My time in Gaia was very intense and I learned a lot...

By Onerio Neto, Development Instructor programme 2006 In 2006, I had the opportunity to participate in a volunteering program at the College for International Cooperation and Development (CICD) in Hull, England. This was my first trip outside of Brazil and I can say it was one of the best decisions I ever made. The program helped me grow as an individual and gave me a unique perspective on the world. I remember fondly the 10 months I spent at the CICD, where hard work was always necessary. Overcoming barriers was a daily challenge, and I had the opportunity to work...

My name is Luis, I'm from Portugal and I live in Sunderland UK. I work as Clothes Collection Driver in CICD in Durham, where I find the purpose of contributing to reducing the imbalance caused by climate change. As I use to say, every donation of a bag of clothes that I put into the van makes me feel that I contribute to a better society, cutting down less trees, contributing to cleaning, giving a second life to many of these clothes and the opportunity to those most disadvantaged people of obtaining certain low price items of second-hand clothing, which new...

Hello! I’m Pavel Redkin, 53, a retired teacher and self-employed ESL tutor from Russia. I was 39 and had been working at school for 22 years as a teacher including international AFS student exchange programmes. I was always hardworking and quite busy when one day I realized that daily routine had made me bored. I was looking for something really new and exciting in my life, I wanted just to travel, see the world and do something helpful for people around. That is why I joined CICD and enrolled for Development Instructor team in 2008. A completely new life Everything...

I found out about CICD when I met 2 of its volunteers in Bradford, where they were selling magazines to raise money so they could travel to their projects in Africa. Why I decided to join CICD I was working as a street fundraiser for Amnesty International when I first found CICD. I knew that one day I wanted to go to one of these developing countries, so I could get involved myself, rather than just fundraising on the streets. This is something that excited me, so I jumped at the chance to join CICD. It meant a lot to...

My time at CICD has been an amazing and insightful learning experience, in an inclusive and welcoming community. The climate activist programme has hugely developed my understanding of the many aspects of climate change and the significance of how our own actions impact the world globally. I have been inspired through learning of all the small projects, both internationally and in the UK, that are working to reconnect society with nature, are raising awareness of how we can better use the resources we have and demonstrating the huge impact simple solutions can have on ourselves and the natural world. I...

I was part of the Gaia Corse, as well as the Fighting with the Poor 12 month’s course. During my preparation I have got a lot of new knowledge. The studies have been a eye opener, I got information I never had before. I have learned about politics, history, economy and science. I have learned so many things about Poverty, Global Warming and Climate Change, compassion and togetherness. Besides the studies on itself, what really made a big impact on me was the practical skills that I have learned during my time at CICD, those skills and my new knowledge...

When studying at CICD I had the opportunity to develop personal and professional skills in so many ways. The concept of living in a community was a relevant part for my preparation to the project and to the world - everyone counts on everyone and I learned how to deal with difficulties that can arise at any time as a group and as an individual. I always remember the good comradeship and the respect people had for each other even when things weren't at their best and I believe I keep taking that with me through life. Working at a...