Working as a volunteer

This year in November I decided to work as a volunteer and without thinking about it very much I visited the Vinzidorf in Graz. This a place in Graz where homeless men find a shelter and a place to live. There they can sleep, eat and live in old containers. Living in a container might sound a bit strange to us, for them it is a home.

Vinzidorf was founded in 1993 by Wolfgang Pucher and is part of the VinziWerke. Apart form the Vinzidorf there are many other organizations such as the VinziNest, VinziBus, VinziLife and so on. This organziations are part of the Vinzenz community that has it`s headquaters in Paris. Their main aim is, in general, to help those who need help, especially people living under unbearable conditions and not having what makes life worth living, such a home, enough food or clothes. The organziation gets money mainly from donation. 

As I have already said, I decided to spend my Saturdays in Vinzidorf. It offers about 32 containers where men can sleep and make themselves a home. Not only do they get a place to sleep, but also food and a shower. In each container you can find a bed, a cupboard and radiator. Some decorate their walls, have plants, flowers and curtains, while others like it more simple, but if you ask them they would tell you it is not a container bur their home.

You may ask youself now: What is she doing there? Well, I suppose the most significant thing you have to learn when working there is listening. Each man has his own story of life, his one fate and his own background and it is important that those stories are told. Every man has his reason for living there and each story touches me in it`s own way. Another thing they really love is playing cards and this was a real problem for me as I did not know most card games at the beginnig. :) They are also really keen on their pets ( 3 cats and 1 rabbit) and caringly look after them.

I am looking forward to each Saturday morning that I can spend there. When I arrive in the morning and everyone is greeting me warmly I know it is going to be a good day. Whenever I leave I feel like they taught me another lesson for my life, as they know what life is about for real. For me they are not men living in Vinzidorf, they are friends. 

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