A lasting commitment: Graciela from Peru and Yanapachikun Immer

When Graciela Bazán came to Germany with weltwärts in 2015, she knew that this year would change something – but at the time, she had no idea how deeply it would shape her life.

In Konstanz, she worked in a kindergarten, launched the “Proyecto Perú” and used it to teach children language, dance and culture in a playful way. For her, it was more than just voluntary service: it was a lively exchange that showed how curious children can build bridges between worlds.

“I wanted to show that volunteering is not a leisure activity – it is a force for change.”

Returning with a vision – the founding of Yanapachikun Immer

After returning to Peru, Graciela experienced what many former volunteers know: reverse culture shock. She had changed – the society around her had hardly changed at all. She didn't want her new knowledge to go to waste. Together with seven other weltwärts returnees and former weltwärts volunteers who had returned some time ago, she founded the association “Yanapachikun Immer” – a name that combines Quechua and German. 

Yanapachikun means “volunteer” in Quechua, Immer stands for “forever” in German.

In other words: “Forever volunteers.”

Learning, growing, moving forward – despite challenges

Not everything went smoothly: returnees had to balance their volunteer work in the association with securing their own livelihoods. But their motivation remained – and even grew during this challenging time. A new dynamic emerged during the pandemic: digital formats made it possible to connect volunteers from Peru and Germany despite the great distances between them. Joint activities, meeting formats, and campaigns throughout the year created new spaces for exchange and activation.

The increasing virtuality proved to be an important strength – especially in a country as large and diverse as Peru. At the same time, Yanapachikun Immer succeeded in collecting donations for isolated communities in the Amazon region that were in extreme need during the pandemic. In addition, a nationwide rotating program was developed that gradually included all regions of Peru, thus continuously strengthening new local contexts, perspectives, and initiatives.

What began as a local/national association grew into a recognized weltwärts sending organization. With support from Freiburg, Yanapachikun also organized large youth meetings, volunteer seminars, and social projects throughout Peru, including in rural regions. “We wanted to show that engagement is not a privilege of the capital,” says Graciela.

From volunteer work to peace work

Volunteer work also laid a solid foundation for Graciela's personal and professional development: she worked in Mexico, Costa Rica, and Colombia in the fields of migration, human rights, and humanitarian aid—including for the UN and the International Organization for Migration. Her work on the border between Mexico and Guatemala had a particularly profound impact on her: “There I saw what flight and hope really mean – and that my commitment must be more than just words.”

Today, she combines her practical experience with research and education: her master's degree in peace culture and human rights and her work on topics such as interculturality, anti-discrimination, and peaceful coexistence are directly linked to her involvement with Yanapachikun.

Networks of the South – Graciela's dream

Graciela dreams of a “South-South community” that connects former volunteers from Latin America and other countries of the Global South. “Even within Peru, building a community is challenging,” she says with a laugh, “but across borders – that's the next level.” In 2019, she participated as a trainer at the Ventao workshop in South America – an inspiring reunion with other former volunteers, where the idea of regional networking gained new momentum. 

Today, Graciela is a Global Ambassador for the weltwärts community in Peru, actively working towards her dream. She is the official contact person for returning South-North volunteers in Peru, Colombia, and Ecuador, organizes digital community care sessions for the region and local meetings on site, and offers guidance, exchange, and networking opportunities for alumni.

A heart for change

For the future, Graciela hopes that Yanapachikun will continue to consolidate and offer young people spaces to develop – as “agents of change,” as she says. Her message to anyone considering volunteer service: “Don't miss this opportunity! Go with an open heart, ready to learn – and to unlearn.”

Because the real learning process only begins after you return: when you integrate what you have experienced into your life, thinking, and actions. “We all have a heart for volunteering – weltwärts helped me to hone it and make it blossom.”