By Rumbidzai Lorraine Sibanda
Volunteering with the Dahuni Foundation in 2024 and 2025 has been one of the most beautiful and transformative experiences of my life. It has enabled me to meet people from other regions in Indonesia and the world. It has taught me that goodwill, education, and the desire to serve others truly have no boundaries.
I not only encountered an organization when I joined Dahuni. I found a family. During volunteer orientation, the founders always discuss teamwork. I used to think that only meant having a good collaboration of working together in the course of the event, but it turned out to be more than that. The concept of team, as held by Dahuni becomes family. In times when one volunteer is struggling, everyone comes to the rescue with love and support. I not only left the 2024 event with memories, but also with friends who would be with me throughout life.
Living in host homes instead of hotels also changed my perspective. In Wonosobo, we ate the local food, laughed with our hosts and all were entertained with traditional music and dance. I felt completely immersed in the local culture. I learned to respect other people’s ways of living, and that humility and openness can bridge any cultural gap.
One of the most touching experiences for me happened in Wonosobo. In 2024, I met a young girl who joined my group during one of the activities. We became friends and kept in contact after the event. A year later, when I returned for the 2025 program, she came all the way from her home just to see me and give me a gift. She told me she would always be there for me if I ever needed to talk. That moment reminded me that Dahuni does not just build language skills, it builds bonds that last a lifetime.
Through Dahuni, I have also been able to explore beautiful places like Menjer Lake and Kahyangan Skyline. Those trips were not just sightseeing, they were moments of reflection with fellow volunteers, moments where laughter and deep conversations flowed naturally. Every event feels new and exciting, even for returning volunteers, because Dahuni always finds creative ways to keep the experience alive.
What I love most about this foundation is how humble and grounded the entire team is. The founders and coordinators listen to everyone’s input, value every volunteer’s opinion, and always make sure we feel heard and appreciated. I have been able to master leadership, teamwork and I have learned to serve compassionately. I have also learned to believe in my own story, to understand that what I have gone through can inspire someone else to take on engineering, study abroad, or simply persevere when life gets tough.
Volunteering with Dahuni has reminded me that giving back is not limited to where you come from. I may be from Zimbabwe, but I can still contribute in Indonesia. Volunteerism knows no boundaries, and love has no nationality.
Every time the closing ceremony comes, and everyone has tears in their eyes, I know why, because we have all grown together. Dahuni changes lives, and I am grateful mine is one of them.