Carnaval del Pueblo

Jakhya Rahman, 22, from Ealing recently volunteered at Carnaval Del Pueblo, the largest Latin American out-door festival in Europe, held in August this year.

How did I get involved in volunteering for Carnaval Del Pueblo?

I became aware of Carnaval Del Pueblo through the Vimpact website.

The project appealed to me as I wished to understand the Latin American culture further due to participating in a voluntary expedition to Costa Rica and Nicaragua early next year.

How did it go on the day?

Initially I was part of the parade procession holding an inspirational banner stating 'The Power Is In Your Hands'. I later took on the role of water distributor, handing out bottles of water to the performing artists in the parade.

This event involved people of various ages and a vibrant culture was very apparent on the day. It was great to be part of something that united so many people from different walks of life. The project was executed superbly and there were no real issues on the day - I hope to participate again next year.

What's next for me and 'why volunteering?

I am very passionate about volunteering and have therefore been involved with many diverse organisations, with the aim of achieving a better understanding of society and its conditions. I recently gained the Vfifty Award, for volunteering for 50 hours with various organisations and have also been awarded with the Leicester Award For Employability Community Engagement Certificate.

Since graduating, I aspire to develop and implement economic policies that are aimed at the reduction of poverty in developing countries by focusing on the roots of the problem.

I genuinely enjoyed participating in Carnaval Del Pueblo - it was good to be part of something big and work alongside different people. Such an experience has provided a basic understanding of the Latin American culture, which will no doubt contribute towards my upcoming trip.

Case Study by Jennifer Harrison.