During these two weeks, they stayed in a semi-nomadic settlement, assisting with all the tasks that Emalaikat performs there for the indigenous population.
The colleagues who participated were Raquel Núñez (Sacyr Holding), Helena García (Sacyr Ingeniería e Infraestructuras), Lucía Fraga (Sacyr Holding), Pilar Cachorro (Valoriza), Álvaro Valvidares (Valoriza), Inés Ramos (Sacyr Concesiones), Marta García (Valoriza), and Esther Moral (Sacyr Holding).
The Emalaikat Foundation operates in South Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Malawi. Their objectives include supporting the comprehensive development of individuals through projects, especially those related to water. Additionally, they promote projects to improve nutrition, agricultural resources, health, and education.
In the mission visited by our volunteers, there are livestock and agricultural activities, including gardens. Different spaces are dedicated to studying, working, sports, and educational centers for infants and primary education.
Daily Activities of the Volunteers
"There were two types of facilities for volunteering, very spacious tents with two beds in each, cooler and close to the nerve center, and slightly more distant buildings but with electricity," explains one of our volunteers, Esther, who works at the Sacyr Foundation.
"We organized ourselves through meal and cleaning shifts, as well as shifts for daily activities," she emphasizes.
The group created a plan with work shifts by teams. Each day, they participated in various activities related to the health sector, maintenance and facility visits, educational activities, support for the elderly, sports, and general leisure. They also visited stone water dams to ensure access to clean water.
Among the most important tasks they performed were:
- Support in the health sector (nutritional monitoring, delivery of supplements in case of malnutrition, oral vaccination, weighing and measuring babies, HIV and syphilis tests, pregnancy monitoring)
- Maintenance of facilities (painting schools, touching up signs)
- Educational activities in the Don Bosco library (English classes, science and technology workshops, dance classes and parties, bead workshops)
- Nutritional support for the elderly (preparation of food bags to be delivered to the elderly monthly)
- Organization of materials and donations from Spain.
- Sharing moments with children
"In all activities, we were always surrounded by children eager to play, learn, and accompany us in every task. This has been the most beautiful and emotional part of volunteering. They accompanied us at every moment," concludes Esther.