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Comments on the work in the FSJ/DJ by former volunteers

"My name is Erika and I did my FSJ in the Protestant Youth Work.

This was one of the best years of my life so far; no examination requirements, an interesting and varied work and - best of all - a great number of nice people. I learned how to deal with youth groups and how to get along with all kinds of people. I was in charge of the evening activities and tried to get across my Christian beliefs.
The seminars were very, very good, the different subjects we worked on were interesting. It was also great to hear what everybody else was doing, how they were feeling about everything and simply to exchange experiences with them. I wonder if ever I was in a group where so much worked out so well. The people were wonderful and so was everything else. Without the FSJ, I never would have thought about the job I'm presently doing, and I met some people who have become very important for me in the meantime. It simply was great!"

"Yes, hello! My name is Annelie and I'm working as a volunteer in a church parish.

My tasks are anything but boring. To name just a few: there's a lot of administration work to be done and errands have to be run on a regular basis. Then I have a lot to do with children and youth groups like when I assist Christian classes and help with the toddlers or when I am in charge of holiday camps for youths. A certain part of my work is dedicated to old people. Once a week, I visit an old lady and sometimes I visit parish members for their birthday. Sometimes, it is my job to clear up and clean the parish facilities. One of the things I have been learning during my time here is to carry responsibility. Many other things I'll probably won't realise until much later."

Andrea did her FSJ in a day care institution for handicapped people:

" ...my working day started with my helping out in the 2nd grade of an integrative primary school, which means that the majority of the children were "healthy" children and only three handicapped children (learning and physical disabilities) were integrated into the grade. It was my task to help these children to take part in the classes and other activities in their leisure time as they could manage. In fact, I was in the position to help in many areas like maths, writing, reading, music, motivating or calming down the children, crafts, playing.
Twice a week, in the afternoon, it was my turn to do a so-called "family relief service". This implied seeing a 15-year-old handicapped girl in her family and spending the afternoon with her. We did so much during this year and it is really great to see how many nice and entertaining things we were able to do together."

"Hi, my name is Ilona. I'm doing my FSJ in a sheltered workshop for handicapped people.

My working field is the laundry where I mainly do the washing, drying and folding of the laundry for the handicapped people living in a group accommodation nearby. We are a team of five people, and there's even a man among them and not forgetting the 19 people with different handicaps who work there as well. Thanks to the FSJ, I learned to interact much better with people who are different. Soon, the fear of something new changed, first into curiosity and then pure fun. An FSJ stirrs up something within yourself which you didn't know existed. Enjoy!"

"Hello! I'm Manuela and I am working in an institution for people with mental and physical disabilities.

Since I already learned a profession and was considering a professional reorientation at the time, I opted for an FSJ, something I do not regret in the least, because dealing with handicapped people turned out to be a valuable experience for me.
We are a team of 10 staff members, among them a guy who is doing community service as alternative to military service. Together, we look after a group of 22 severely mentally handicapped men. Among our tasks are the typical duties like giving showers, washing and dressing the inhabitants. Of equal importance are the pedagogic activities such as going for walks and spending the day together. I found that I need a lot of patience for this kind of work.
Now, my year is drawing to a close and I will definitely miss the inhabitants! It's comforting to know where to go from here now thanks to the FSJ. I'm really glad about that!"

"I'm Steffi and I'm working in a day care centre for old people suffering from dementia and depression.

These people are our daily guests from 09.00 a.m. to 05.00 p.m. The working day starts with breakfast. After that, the guests can take part in different activities like sitting gymnastics, sitting dance, drawing room games, cooking, baking, going for walks… After lunch and coffee, the afternoon is mostly dedicated to creative activities. At the end of the day, we sing and talk about the events of the day.
In the beginning of my FSJ, I used to think: "Now you're looking after old people who lead a miserable life in their apartments and rely on you to entertain them a little at the end of their life." But now, at the end of my FSJ I think that I was lucky with my placement in the day care centre, because apart from learning what it means to work in a team, I also saw that we can make a difference for the old and confused people helping them to rediscover their skills and their personalities. It's a good feeling to know that, within a short period of time I've become a close and important person for these people and that I was able to contribute to their motivation to get up every morning."

Sandra did her FSJ in a nursing home for the elderly:

"I'm now doing an apprenticeship as a shop assistant. It's not exactly what I originally wanted to do, but for the time being, it helps me a great deal. The FSJ gave me some insights and I'm glad I could be useful. You learn to see people in a different light and to respect them, no matter how old they are. It made me happy to take care of "my grannies" and to know that they appreciate every tiny thing. I've grown very fond of them all and, of course, I'm going to visit them regardless of my present job.
I did learn a lot in my placement. The seminars were also very important for me because I had the possibility to exchange experience with others in the group and learned about their feelings."

"I'm Karin. When I started in the Rehabilitation Clinic I was really scared.

I had no idea what I was doing. It was like taking the plunge. But after a while, it turned out that things were not as bad as they seemed at first. The first weeks meant a big adjustment for me and it wasn't easy at all, although I was well received in the team and Sister Ann instructed me thoroughly. Getting up early and working long hours was strenuous and it was difficult to cope with the impressions on the ward. So I was very glad about the introduction seminar in the first month of my stay. By talking and exchanging experience with others, I was able to cope with some things easier. The daily contact with the patients, helping them or just spending time with them is important and increases my self-esteem. I am learning a lot, both in the medical and the human sense. I'm gaining all sorts of experiences which make me grow."

"I'm Susi and I'm doing my FSJ in the spiritual welfare section of a hospital. Well, what has the experience taught me?:

It has taught me patience when talking with people who cannot communicate their problems and their sorrows "like a shot". This means to sit quietly and without haste at their bedside, simply listening, even if nothing new is being said. It has also taught me caution in dealing with confidential information and to think twice before giving relief to the patients by just taking their troubles away, which often is considered "helping" but does not allow for their independence. Tolerance and acceptance are what matter! Ones character and ones attitudes towards life and faith are being shaped in the process. Everything happens in a context that is often hard to understand in the beginning, but that has to be discovered before passing a judgment. Faith is important and love, mutual giving and taking and to be allowed to make mistakes without effects. To offer love, just like that, and to invest some of ones own joy in others".

Kathrin writes about the experience she gained with children and youths in special play and learn facilities:

"Mostly, the children and youths, who are between 6 and 18 years of age, are in schools for disabled and special-needs children and come from socially disadvantaged families. In the so-called "play and learn facilities", they have the opportunity to be supported with their homework, to learn how to cook, to develop craft skills, to do sports, to organise and/or take part in camps…. The main pedagogic aspect, however, is to establish social contacts within the group!
It was September when I started working there. My first impressions were like a shock as I was received with air pressure pistols and comments about my breasts. But after I had got used to seven-year-olds smoking, nine-year-olds breaking into excavators and going for a drive, eight-year-olds setting fire to balconies and all of them behaving in a way that left me speechless, all the same looking back, I can say that I had fun and wouldn't miss any of it. This is where I grew personally myself and now I can appreciate many things better than before, i.e. that I have my own bed, my own room, that my parents live together, that we have good food every day. I've learned not to take these things for granted. My priorities have changed!"