Hello everyone, my name is Daniel Wolpers. I’m 28 years old and an international volunteer at SALEM from October 2024 to the end of July 2025. In this article, I’ll share a little about my background and what motivated me to travel to the other side of the world for a year to become a volunteer at SALEM International Ecuador.

After finishing high school in Germany, I already felt the urge to explore the world, which led me to spend a year doing work-and-travel in New Zealand. The stunning landscapes, diverse languages, and cultures left a deep impression on me, and during that year, I learned not only a lot of English but also a great deal about myself. Afterward, I spent some time studying and later worked as a software developer. During this phase of my life, I traveled very little and at times felt a lack of purpose in my work. I frequently asked myself what I wanted to achieve in life, who I wanted to become, and how I envisioned the world around me.

Eventually, I realized that I wanted to contribute to a fair and tolerant world where people interact as equals across borders, and where digital media and infrastructure serve to improve the quality of life for many, not to enrich only a few. Additionally, through my voluntary work, I discovered how much I enjoy sharing these values with young people and watching them grow into confident young adults. These realizations motivated me to return to university and study to become a teacher, specializing in English and Computer Science.

A few months ago, I completed my teaching degree and decided to gain additional perspectives on working with children and adolescents. I firmly believe that the more diverse experiences, challenges, and educational approaches one encounters, the better one can meet children’s individual needs. During my studies, I already had the opportunity to do internships at schools in Ghana, and now I want to expand my understanding by engaging in voluntary work at SALEM International Ecuador.

The vision of SALEM—to accompany children on their journey to becoming “well educated, inspired, empowered, responsible, healthy adults who make a positive contribution to the local community and the evolution of the planet”—perfectly aligns with my values, goals, and expectations. This makes SALEM International Ecuador the ideal project for me to explore working with children and adolescents, learn a new language, immerse myself in a new culture, and contribute my own skills and experiences.

Now you know a bit more about me! I’m excited about continuing my work at SALEM and getting to know Ecuador and its people.