19-year-old Tabea Schmitz from Baden-Württemberg has been working for steps as a volunteer in Okakarara (Namibia) since August 2017. In an interview, she talked about her experiences in the project.

How did you hear about steps for children?
Tabea Schmitz: At the job interview with my sending organization, various placements were presented, including steps for children. The project immediately appealed to me, and so I applied for this position.

Why Namibia/Africa?
Tabea Schmitz: Between the ages of six and eleven, I already lived in the D.R. Congo. That is why I had a strong connection to Africa from an early age. After graduating from high school, I wanted to discover, experience, and get to know a part of Africa for myself.
I consciously chose a different country.
The fact that it ultimately became Namibia was because I felt that God had led me there.

Why did you choose steps for children?
Tabea Schmitz: As already mentioned, I liked the project right away. In addition, I was impressed by the
diversity of the work. So I decided to come here.

Since when have you been working here as a volunteer?
Tabea Schmitz: I have been working at Steps for Children as a volunteer since 13.08.2017.

What do you like about the project?
Tabea Schmitz: I like that it gives the children a real chance, takes them seriously, and focuses on their well-being.
At the same time, sustainability is an important topic, as is the prospect of becoming independent of donations. 
I find that impressive.

Which area do you work in?
Tabea Schmitz: I work in four areas: in the kindergarten/ECD/Preschool, in the
afternoon care, in the office and in the guesthouse. The last two areas
overlap.

Describe a typical workday at steps for children.
Tabea Schmitz: For us volunteers, the workday starts at 8 a.m. First, we supply the
kitchen with its daily ration of sugar and oil. Then we do sports with one of the five kindergarten groups.
This group is then split into two groups again. One half does sports, the other Numberland.
Later, we switch.
Around 9:30 a.m. we go to the office and take care of different tasks there:
contact with guests of the Self-Catering Accommodation (incl. taking bookings, sending invoices, etc.)
working in the copy shop, preparing accounts, preparing afternoon lessons, sorting various things,
going shopping and any other organizational tasks that come up.
From about 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. we do art with one of the kindergarten classes.
After that, there are either still tasks to be done, or it is lunchtime.
From 2 p.m. to about 4 p.m. the afternoon care takes place. We are responsible for grades five to seven.
Our workday ends at around 4:30–5 p.m.                                                                                   

What do you take away from your time at steps for children?
Tabea Schmitz: I take a lot away from my time at Steps and in Namibia in general: e.g. the
appreciation of small things, even more openness toward other cultures,
Thoughts and ways of life, teamwork as the most important element for the success of a
project, overcoming language barriers and, of course, the joy of working with
children.

Dear Tabea, thank you very much for the interview and for your great work in the steps project!