MEET JOSEFINE!

Josefine is one of the amazing volunteers we’ve had the pleasure of working with at Drömstort. Her curiosity, dedication, and warm presence have made a lasting impact on both our team and the young people she has supported. Through our partnership with VIA e.V., Josefine has contributed to activities in schools, led creative and recreational programs during the holidays, and helped guide other young workers during their time with us. Her openness to new challenges and her thoughtful approach to youth work have truly enriched our community.

Read our interview with Josefine below:

Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your background?

My name is Josefine Kücks and I’m from Schweinfurt, a town in the state of Bavaria in southern Germany. Before coming to Sweden, I had already taken part in a voluntary project in Finland, which sparked my interest

in intercultural exchange and working with children. There I’ve mostly been involved in educational contexts, such as tutoring and supporting younger students. That experience helped me realize how much I enjoy working with young people and motivated me to try something new abroad. I'm also someone who loves

exploring new places, learning about different cultures, and stepping outside of my comfort zone – which is why volunteering through the European Solidarity Corps felt like a natural next step for me.

What motivated you to apply as a volunteer through the European Solidarity Corps, and what made you choose Drömstort?

I decided to volunteer through the European Solidarity Corps after a positive experience doing voluntary service at a primary school in Finland. I wanted to continue exploring new cultures and gain further insights into different professional fields. I chose Drömstort because I was curious about the social sector and wanted to try something new beyond my previous experiences in schools and tutoring. The opportunity to plan and lead activities, support children in schools, and contribute to Drömstort’s inspiring “dream big” vision really appealed to me.

What did your daily life look like as a volunteer at Drömstort? What kind of activities were you involved in?

During the school term, I spent most of my time working in local schools, where I supported children with reading and writing, helped with homework sessions, and assisted with organizing activities during breaks. During the holidays, we ran various creative and sports-related activities at different locations. I was also involved in guiding and introducing holiday workers who supported the organization during that time.

What has been the most meaningful or valuable part of working with young people at Drömstort?

It was very rewarding to create enjoyable experiences for the children during leisure activities and to see them happy and engaged. I also found it meaningful to support them during homework sessions – their curiosity and eagerness to learn were inspiring. One of the most touching aspects was how quickly some of the children built a sense of trust with me.

What challenges have you faced during your volunteering period, and how did you overcome them?

One of the biggest challenges for me was planning larger activities that had to take place at specific locations and required coordinating multiple people. Since this was completely new to me, I found it difficult at first to visualize how things should work. Fortunately, I had a colleague who shared this responsibility with me, and she showed me how to approach the planning. Step by step, I gained more confidence and a better understanding of how to structure and manage such activities.

How has your time at Drömstort affected you personally – has your perspective on anything changed?

My time in Stockholm helped me become more confident and gave me clarity about what I want for my future. It also gave me the chance to explore more of Scandinavia – I was able to see parts of Sweden and to travel in Norway, which had been a dream of mine for a long time. Traveling alone in Norway pushed me to become more independent and through openness and encounters, I met many wonderful people.

What would you like to say to other young people considering becoming volunteers through the European Solidarity Corps?What would you like to say to other young people considering becoming volunteers through the European Solidarity Corps?

I think it’s a great opportunity to gain independence, build self-confidence, and learn a lot about yourself in a short time. I would also encourage others to travel as much as possible during their placement – even if you’re already in a new country, take the chance to explore more, because you might not have that opportunity again. Visiting smaller towns and rural areas can give you an even deeper understanding of the country’s nature and people, beyond what you experience in the capital. Ultimately, volunteering is all about stepping out of your comfort zone and embracing new experiences.

---

MER OM VÅRA SAMARBETEN:

Vad är European Solidarity Corps?

ESC är en plattform för unga mellan 18 och 30 år som vill göra skillnad, både lokalt och internationellt. Initiativet erbjuder möjlighet att delta i volontärprojekt som stöder hållbarhet, social inkludering, och andra viktiga samhällsmål. För att delta som värdorganisation krävs en Quality Label, vilket säkerställer att organisationen uppfyller höga standarder för att ta emot volontärer på ett tryggt och meningsfullt sätt.

Drömstorts Quality Label: En kvalitetsstämpel för möjligheter

Vi på Drömstort är stolta över att vara en certifierad organisation med ESC Quality Label.

Det betyder att vi inte bara kan ta emot volontärer, utan också skapa en trygg och inspirerande miljö där de kan växa och bidra med sina unika färdigheter. Detta är en viktig milstolpe för oss, eftersom det stärker vårt engagemang för att stödja unga i deras personliga och professionella utveckling.

Varför är volontärarbete så viktigt?

Volontärarbete är mer än bara att ge av sin tid – det handlar om att bygga broar mellan människor, kulturer och samhällen. Genom ESC får unga möjligheten att lära sig nya färdigheter, skapa internationella kontakter och bidra till en bättre värld. På Drömstort är vi hedrade över att vara en del av denna resa och att kunna erbjuda unga volontärer en plattform för deras engagemang.

Vill du veta mer?

Vi ser fram emot att fortsätta vårt arbete med ESC och välkomna fler inspirerande volontärer till Drömstort. Om du är nyfiken på vårt arbete eller vill veta hur du kan engagera dig, tveka inte att kontakta oss. Tillsammans bygger vi en ljusare framtid – en dröm i taget!