- Caritas was like a family I had lost. I felt seen, accepted and valued. In addition, I gained valuable experience that I will take with me further in life.   

This is what Reem (31) tells us about the time when she was a volunteer Caritas its resource center in Oslo.

Remi was born in Syria. Ever since she was a child, she has liked and been interested in writing. When, as a newly qualified journalist, she suddenly had to flee Syria in 2015 due to war and unrest, she eventually ended up in Trøndelag. The journey there was long and challenging. In Trøndelag, she gradually learned Norwegian and became an intern at the local newspaper.  

In 2019, Reem came to Oslo. She was unemployed and felt very empty. Reem therefore chose to start as a volunteer in Caritas and it changed her life.

- At the end of the day, I was always proud of myself, and very happy to be able to contribute, says Reem.

As a volunteer, she got to try out various tasks and was given more and more responsibility. She met vulnerable people who had been through a lot. Everyone came with different stories and backgrounds, and from different situations. But everyone had the same goal – to get help without condemnation. They wanted someone who could understand their situation.

 - I met people who just wanted to talk to someone, and who wanted someone to listen to their story, she recalls . 

Reem looks back on his time as a volunteer in Caritas with joy and gratitude.

 – Caritas was like a family I had lost. I felt seen, accepted and valued. In addition, I gained valuable experience that I will take with me further in life.   

Reem is now in her final year of the health professions course and has an internship at Ullevål Hospital. Her dream is still to be able to make a living from writing texts - both as a journalist and author. One day, she hopes that the dream will become a reality.

(Photo: Erik Waatland)