Voluntary service in the monastery: This is how Friederike is shaping her future!

Voluntary service in the monastery: This is how Friederike is shaping her future!

Friederike Krancke, 19 years old and from near Bonn, is currently completing a federal voluntary service (BFD) at Berneuchener Haus Kloster Kirchberg in Sulz. After graduating from high school, the young woman was initially undecided about her professional future. She came across the idea of ​​volunteering through her church and her mother. She decided to go to the monastery, where she really appreciates the practical and meaningful work.

As part of her BFD, Friederike has taken on a wide range of tasks. These range from activities in the workshop and in the garden to housekeeping. She finds driving a large wheel loader, for which she received an exemption, particularly exciting. Recently, she used this wheel loader to transport refrigerators as there were no official drivers available that day.

Experiences and perspectives

Through her voluntary service, Friederike not only gained practical experience. She also completed a short internship with a carpenter and developed a strong interest in working with wood. However, her dream job remains being a police officer. Voluntary service has given her valuable insights into various professions and she feels recognized and valued by her colleagues.

“I learned a lot,” emphasizes Friederike and emphasizes that voluntary services such as the BFD or the FSJ deserve more social recognition. She also learned from negative experiences that helped her in her personal and professional development. Friederike recommends other school leavers to consider volunteering in order to get to know the world of work and teamwork better.

The benefits of volunteer service

The Federal Voluntary Service offers numerous advantages that cover both social and financial aspects. The volunteers receive a monthly pocket and food allowance of around 450 euros and are entitled to accommodation or 50 euros in monetary compensation for this. There is also the option of a mobility supplement of up to 70 euros, 30 days of annual vacation and comprehensive insurance in various areas.

The duration of such voluntary services is between six and 18 months and includes at least three weeks of seminars per year, which promote not only professional orientation but also personal development. Participants can take part in educational days that are tailored to their interests, be it city trips, workshops or outdoor experiences. In addition, the volunteers receive qualified proof of work and the opportunity to be recognized as a preparatory internship for studies.

Overall, the Federal Voluntary Service is not only an opportunity to gain practical experience, but also a valuable phase of personal and social orientation. Friederike's positive experiences in the monastery are an impressive example of how enriching and educational this path can be.