We are so proud to share the story of Maria Rus, a volunteer sent by the Pi Youth Association to Shianda, Kenya, as part of the WE ArtCoop project. From June to December 2025, Maria threw herself into a journey that was as eye-opening as it was challenging.
When Maria arrived in Shianda, she didn’t just sit back. Her days were packed with running creative workshops for local women, especially young moms who had their hands full with childcare. Maria shared that she helped teach jewelry-making, traditional craftsmanship and how to make everyday items like soap and mats using local materials.
The goal? To give these young women practical skills to start their own small businesses, earn their own money, and feel independent. Maria even helped organize a charity market back home in Europe to sell their beautiful traditional products, bringing the support full circle. Together with another volunteer, she also created safe spaces to talk about tough, important topics like preventing gender-based violence and protecting young girls.
Learning to “Work with the Chaos”
Let’s be real—international volunteering isn’t all sunshine and perfect plans. Maria was incredibly honest about the hurdles. At the beginning, a lack of clear direction and cultural differences left the volunteers feeling a bit lost and disconnected.
But that is where the magic of community came in. Maria emphasized that the local community completely took them under their wing. Local friends helped the volunteers navigate the neighborhood and public spaces, making everything feel so much safer and more grounded.
In the end, Maria described her experience as a beautiful lesson in personal growth. She reflected that her time in Kenya taught her to listen without judgment, respect completely different ways of looking at the world, and realize that our way of living isn’t the only way. She even learned the ultimate superpower: how to “work with chaos” and turn unexpected moments into pure inspiration.
This project was Co-funded by the European Solidarity Corps Programme of the European Union.
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