Through service and cultural exchange, a young volunteer brings hope to Bolivia and finds strength in self-growth.

In late March, 22-year-old Wu Miao concluded her volunteer service with the United Nations World Food Program (WFP) in Bolivia, a Spanish-speaking country in South America.

As a student of economic statistics at Huazhong Agricultural University in Wuhan, Hubei province, Wu vividly recalls coming across the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) recruitment notice in May 2024.Without hesitation, she applied.

"I've always been passionate about volunteering and want to make a positive impact," she explained.

This passion was evident throughout her university years. For three years, Wu was an active member of a public welfare committee, organizing and overseeing more than 15 volunteer events.

One of her most memorable initiatives was a Children's Day flower sale she organized to raise funds for rural education programs, supporting children in remote areas.

Despite her extensive volunteer background, Wu approached the UNV selection process with thorough preparation. She studied the UN's structure and the WFP's mission, taught herself basic Spanish, and familiarized herself with Bolivia's history, environment, and culture.

"Becoming a UN volunteer presented a valuable opportunity to assist people in other countries," she said.

The most novel aspect for Wu was the second-round interview, conducted entirely in English. Although she had passed the College English Test level 6 (CET-6) during her first year at university, the experience of an all-English interview was still a challenge to her.

"I spent a month improving my spoken English and prepared over 20,000 words' worth of mock interview responses," Wu said. Before the interview, she repeatedly reviewed her answers so that when the time came, she could respond confidently and fluently to every question.

The next morning, she received an email with the subject line: "You are the preferred candidate for a UNV assignment". At that moment, she realized her volunteer journey was about to take an exciting new turn.

Soon after, Wu arrived in La Paz, Bolivia — the world's highest capital city by altitude — where she was set to begin her work.

This was Wu's first trip abroad. Coming from the low-altitude region of Sichuan province, she struggled with altitude sickness upon arrival. She also found Bolivia's unfamiliar cuisine challenging, leading to ongoing digestive issues.

Despite these initial challenges, Wu quickly adapted to her new environment. "With more exercise, the altitude sickness gradually improved, and I learned how to cook within a month," she said.

The warmth and hospitality of the local people also helped ease her adjustment. "I had learned about Bolivia's culture through documentaries, and La Paz, which means 'peace' in Spanish, truly lived up to its name," she said.

Global bonds

As a resource mobilization assistant with the WFP, Wu responded promptly when a landslide, caused by heavy rainfall, struck Bolivia.

"I hurried to the disaster frontline and helped distribute WFP relief supplies to families, ensuring they received food and other essential aid," she recalled.

With three years of experience as a campus photojournalist, Wu also took the initiative to report from the disaster zones. She introduced new ideas, creating interview videos and supporting the WFP's social media efforts.

In addition to her volunteering, cultural exchange played a significant role in Wu's time in Bolivia, whether with local residents or fellow volunteers from around the world. "Most of the volunteers I worked with were Bolivian, but I also met young people from countries like South Korea and Italy," Wu said.

She introduced her international friends to Chinese cuisine, teaching them how to use chopsticks and preparing some of her favorite dishes.

"I even taught them a few Chinese phrases, and for a while, we greeted each other with 'nihao' instead of 'hello'," she fondly remembered.

On International Volunteer Day in 2024, Wu and her fellow volunteers engaged in discussions about the responsibilities and challenges of their work. "Despite coming from different countries, we are all united by the same belief: the desire to help and serve others," Wu said.

During this year's Spring Festival, Wu sometimes felt lonely, especially when she saw photos of Chinese New Year's Eve gatherings and festive celebrations shared by friends back home on social media.

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"Even though I've made new friends from around the world, I still couldn't shake the feeling of homesickness," she said. "But I've also come to understand the true value of solitude — a chance to reflect and grow on my own."

Traveling alone to Bolivia, one of South America's less developed countries, the 22-year-old embraced the courage, faith, and solitude that came with being in a place so different from her own, both culturally and geographically.

"This experience has shown me that volunteer service requires a deep belief — the conviction that what you're doing is something you truly want to do and are willing to commit to," she said. "I'm grateful for the opportunity to come to Bolivia at such a young age to serve this hospitable country, and I'm proud of the work I've done."

Contact the writers at liukun@chinadaily.com.cn