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 with DAPP Malawi
During my time in Malawi, I worked directly with rural communities in the education sector. I collaborated with local teachers, facilitated student programs, and helped develop and improve schools with the goal of increasing enrollment. This was essential to ensure that more children could transition to the next educational level—because if they didn’t, many would end up dropping out of school altogether. On top of that, schools often provided what might be the only meal of the day for many students, making education a lifeline in more ways than one.
I also worked alongside families and community leaders on empowerment initiatives, facing challenges like limited resources, language barriers, and unfamiliar systems. But those same challenges taught me the value of collective effort and the resilience of people working together toward change.
Creating change in more ways than one
One of the most powerful lessons I learned is that helping others doesn’t just change the lives of those receiving support—it profoundly transforms the person offering it. When you immerse yourself in communities facing big challenges, you realize that what may seem small to you can mean a real opportunity, a source of hope, or even a different future for someone else.
Volunteering isn’t just about giving—it’s about growing. It’s about stepping out of your comfort zone and discovering the power of empathy, teamwork, and purposeful action.
This experience helped shape who I am today—personally and professionally. It’s something I carry with me every day, and always will.
If you’re also looking for an experience like this—one that contributes to real change and opens your eyes to how your help truly CAN make a difference—feel free to email me on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
I’d be happy to tell you more about how you can be part of this experience.
Warm regards,
Juan Pablo Prattz