A team of ten young women from Wales completed a truly inspirational two-week volunteering trip in Kolkata, India. As part of Urdd Gobaith Cymru, Wales’ largest youth organization, the volunteers worked with nonprofit organizations dedicated to aiding and educating children, youth, and women from some of the city’s most marginalized communities.
During their time in Kolkata, the volunteers fully immersed themselves in the city’s vibrant culture while also sharing Welsh traditions and language. A key highlight of the trip was their engagement with Ek Tara Middle School, which provides vital educational opportunities to hundreds of girls from Kolkata’s largest slum. The volunteers organized interactive and engaging activities to create a fun and supportive learning environment for the children.
Reflecting on the experience, one of the volunteers said, “I feel very honoured to have been selected as one of ten young women from Wales to go to India with the Urdd. It has been a truly inspirational, unforgettable, and life-changing experience. I loved meeting some of Kolkata’s young women and children, contributing towards a local charity’s incredible work, and sharing cultures while learning from one another.”
The team also visited the Suchana Centre, where they conducted language exchange sessions as part of the Urdd’s “Chwarae yn Gymraeg” (Play in Welsh) program. This initiative encouraged a cross-cultural dialogue, with participants exchanging knowledge in six different languages in a single session, fostering valuable learning experiences for all involved.
The collaboration between the Urdd and Kolkata-based charities has been ongoing for over two decades, with continuous support from the Welsh Government. This relationship was initiated through the ‘Welcome Kolkata’ campaign, originally launched by the Urdd and Christian Aid, which established an exchange program between Urdd members and young women from Kolkata’s red-light districts. Since the inaugural trip in 2003, Urdd volunteers have frequently visited Kidderpore, a resource center in Kolkata’s red-light area, engaging in a range of humanitarian projects.
Siân Lewis, Chief Executive of Urdd Gobaith Cymru, reaffirmed the organization’s dedication to fostering international connections, stating, “We strongly believe in creating international links and broadening the horizons of young Welsh people. Twenty years ago, the Urdd established a partnership with the city and charities of Kolkata, and thanks to the support of the Welsh Government, we have been able to resume our international volunteering programs. Taking a group of ten young women to India to support the incredible humanitarian work in Kolkata is a continuation of this meaningful journey.”
The volunteers’ experience in Kolkata has left a lasting impact on both the young Welsh participants and the communities they served. Their journey stands as a testament to the transformative power of cultural exchange and the enduring impact of volunteerism in creating meaningful, positive change.
