Thinking back of the summer of 2007, I remember being avidly looking for an opportunity to work with an NGO abroad. Being a student in languages and communication (University of Amsterdam), with a background in cultural anthropology, I decided that after some years of studying it was time to get some practical experience in the field. In search of a suitable possibility I decided to do an internship abroad - I ended up in India, at Joining Hands. During the 8 months internship I learned more than can be described in a few lines, so this is an attempt to give at least an impression. First of all, getting to know Joining Hands’ partner organizations and their projects gave me an impressive exposure to development projects in and around Delhi. I saw deprived groups and the problems that they face, and I saw the efforts that people make to build up and maintain a sustainable way of life. One of my tasks was to help implement the Joining Hands volunteering program, which included the recruitment, placement, monitoring and evaluation of volunteers in partner projects. Moreover I got to know about the position of the corporate world and their Corporate Social Responsibility. Getting the corporate world involved wasn't an easy task at all. But working towards this goal did teach me some lessons. It enlarged my understanding of the ways in which organizations (profit and non-for-profit, governmental and non-governmental) can be interrelated and interdependent. Also, the issue of volunteering made me more aware of an individual’s position in society and the responsibilities that one can choose to take. It inspired me to start volunteering in my own country too: I'm currently coordinating Dutch classes and teaching Dutch to foreign citizens at an intercultural volunteer's organization that promotes social cohesion and participation. I am glad to have been part of the Joining Hands team and I would recommend anyone to take up some volunteering activity with them.

- Renate Roze, Netherlands