July 6-7, 2024: Our weltwärts volunteers from Rwanda joined alumni Pauline, Sandra and Valerie for a special trip: A two-day excursion to Dachau and Oberstdorf that combined history, reflection and nature experiences. Here is Justin Ntwali’s experience report.
On July 6th, we set out on a bright sunny day to Dachau to visit the concentration camp memorial. This place, which served as a concentration camp during the World War II, left a deep impression on us. Thousands of people from different countries were imprisoned here under inhumane conditions. Equipped with audio guides, we walked around the grounds and learned a lot about the suffering and fates of those times through pictures, objects and stories. The movie about the life of the prisoners was particularly moving, and gave us an impressive insight into the cruelty and deprivation of this dark era.
After a three-hour drive, we arrived in Oberstdorf on the evening of July 6th. Despite a light rain, we were not deterred from exploring the charming little town. The girls arrived by car with Sandra, while Placide and I took the train from Dachau. Later, we all met for dinner at a cozy restaurant, where we not only enjoyed the delicious food, but also had lively conversations – about our future plans after volunteering and how we can support future North-South volunteers.
The next morning, after a hearty breakfast, we went on a hike to “Müllers Alpe”. This hike brought back many memories of our school days in Rwanda and gave us the opportunity to experience the impressive nature of the Allgäu region up close. Once at the top, we rewarded ourselves with a delicious lunch and used the time to talk about our return home and the challenges ahead.
Our overnight stay at the hostel in a mixed dormitory with 20 beds was a challenge. Especially our female companions felt uncomfortable, as it is considered inappropriate in our culture to sleep in such conditions. However, the rich and tasty breakfast the next morning mitigated this experience and put us in a conciliatory mood so that we could start our journey home with positive feelings.
This trip was inspiring for us in many ways. The visit to Dachau was a profound, emotional experience that brought home the horrors of the past. The hike in the picturesque landscape of Oberstdorf provided us not only with relaxation, but also with valuable time for reflection and exchange about our future.
Our special thanks go to alumni Sandra Beinbauer, Pauline Häberle and Valerie Wenzel, whose commitment, planning and execution made this trip possible. We would also like to thank the Friends of Rwanda team for making this unforgettable experience possible.
