Interview with Natascha: Volunteering, Motherhood, and the Power of Presence

Why Volunteer?

At 44 years old, Natascha, a professional chef, chose to embark on a completely different journey: becoming a senior volunteer dedicated to caring for children. As a mother of two, she understands both the joys and challenges of raising kids. Being present through every stage of her own children’s growth made her reflect deeply on the kind of care and support every child deserves.

Her experience opened her heart to children who have grown up under different circumstances. She often thought about how difficult it must be to navigate childhood without the constant presence of a parent. That realization became the driving force behind her decision to volunteer not for recognition, nor for compensation, but simply because it felt right. For Natascha, volunteering is an act of humanity, born purely from the heart.

Each child’s story was unique and profoundly touching. Their resilience and spirit inspired her to step in with both hands and heart. By offering her time and energy through hands-on activities, she aimed to ease their day, even if just a little. Because sometimes, the smallest acts of care are the ones that carry the greatest weight.

A Home Built on Compassion

Her experience at the children’s home brought a whole new perspective. Watching the children grow, laugh, and play under the care of their selfless "godmother", a woman raising 14 children with unwavering love and no expectation of return, deeply moved her. "This is not what I expected," Natascha admitted. "I thought the children’s home would be much bigger, especially knowing there are 14 children living there." Her expectation wasn’t unreasonable. Naturally, when we imagine a home for 14 children, we picture a spacious house, perhaps with individual rooms or at least shared spaces for small groups. It’s how most of us would think. But sometimes, the strength of love and intention far outweighs the size of the space. And that’s exactly what defines the children’s home: a place built more on compassion than on concrete.

“In the beginning, it was difficult,” Natascha shared. “The children weren’t very open with us volunteers.” Building a connection with children is never a one-size-fits-all process. It might seem easy at first, offering a smile, a kind word, or a small gift, but every child is different. Even as a mother of two, Natascha found that gaining their trust required patience and understanding. It took three full weeks before they began to open up, and the breakthrough came on a school holiday, when they finally had time to relax and play games together.

Everyday Life at the Children’s Home

When you choose to join this volunteer program, it means you're committing to more than just a new experience, you are stepping into a role that requires dedication, resilience, and heart. This kind of work isn’t for the faint of heart. It demands patience, flexibility, and a willingness to get your hands dirty, literally. With 14 children living under one roof, daily life at the children's home is a constant whirlwind of activity. she often spend much of their time doing hands-on, essential tasks, washing piles of laundry, scrubbing the kitchen, tidying shared spaces, and keeping things running smoothly behind the scenes. These aren’t glamorous jobs, but they are the heartbeat of the home.

On school days, the routine is more structured. But when the children have a day off, the energy in the house shifts. Natascha often takes the older kids out for a refreshing trip to the beach, a moment of joy and freedom for everyone involved. Meanwhile, for the youngest members of the home, Baby Eva and Baby Ana, the days follow a different rhythm. Since they’re not yet in school, the volunteers spend most of their time caring for them. This includes everything from preparing their meals and feeding them, to taking them on gentle walks, playing with them, and ensuring they get enough rest throughout the day. It’s an intimate, rewarding kind of care that builds strong emotional connections, one lullaby, one giggle, and one nap at a time.

Natascha soon realized that just one month of volunteering might not be enough to build a meaningful bond. “It really takes time,” she said, reflecting on her two-month journey. “Three weeks just to get close, one month wouldn’t have been enough.”

Despite the initial challenges, her connection with the children's godmother formed effortlessly. "It was so easy to talk to her," Natascha recalled. "We could openly discuss the kids, the daily activities, and how we could help." Perhaps it was their shared identity as nurturing mothers that made the bond so natural. Looking back, Natascha wishes she had come prepared sooner. Once she realized the power of shared play, she made it a point to bring games and fun activities for the kids, small gestures that created big moments of joy.

Lessons in Love and Letting Go

After all her experiences, Natascha came to a meaningful realization: the most important thing is to allow yourself to truly feel. Feel the joy, the gratitude, the connection, even the heartbreak. She found deep happiness in seeing that the children had what they needed: nourishing food, access to education, a safe place to call home, and people who genuinely cared for them. “Let’s focus on the good,” she often reminded herself of the little victories, the laughter, the sense of belonging these children now had.

Still, as a mother, she couldn't help but wonder about the future. Natascha had seen her own children grow into teenagers, full of questions, wants, and the inevitable search for identity. But what gave her comfort was the unwavering love and wisdom of the godmother who raised them. Natascha firmly believed that the godmother’s nurturing approach, grounded in gratitude, discipline, and emotional warmth, would shape the children into thoughtful, resilient individuals. “They may ask questions,” she said, “but they will also remember the love they were raised with.” What mattered most to Natascha was that the children felt loved, supported, and valued. And that, she realized, was more than enough.

In the end, volunteering at the children’s home isn’t only about what you offer it's about how much you evolve. It's about discovering meaning in the everyday, finding joy amid the chaos, and recognizing the quiet power of small, sincere acts of care.