By Youma Kromer
Volunteering as a writer opened doors I hadn’t expected , into African culture, into community, and into myself. My role was simple on the surface: to research, interview, and write feature-style articles about African community organizations, both in Germany and abroad. This was not typical journalism , I wrote on behalf of the organizations, adopting their voice to share their mission and vision.
The more I wrote, the more I realized it was not just about gathering facts or presenting projects. It was about listening , truly listening , to the voices of people who dedicate their lives to education, empowerment, and community. It was about capturing stories that deserved to be told, and making sure they reached an audience beyond borders.
Every piece became a way to connect: between me and Africa, between local leaders and global readers, between words and action.
“Our mission is not just to provide education, but to give children the tools to dream beyond the limits set before them.”
(From my article on an education initiative in Rwanda)
Writing these pieces gave me a rare window into African culture, not through headlines or stereotypes, but through authentic voices. I discovered how much community shapes daily life, how music and dance carry both history and healing, and how faith and resilience sustain people through unimaginable challenges.
This work sharpened my writing skills, teaching me how to capture emotion with clarity, and how to honor stories that are not my own but trusted to me. Every article became a balancing act: professional yet personal, informative yet empathetic.
“We believe that when women rise, communities rise with them. Empowerment is not charity — it is justice.”
(From my article on a women’s empowerment project in Uganda)
Beyond writing, this volunteer work opened doors to connections I never expected. Suddenly, I was in conversation with leaders, activists, and everyday heroes whose work impacts lives across the continent. These relationships have become stepping stones for my own path , reminding me that change is always collaborative.
Through these organizations, I saw that Africa is not defined by what it lacks, but by the richness of its cultures, the strength of its people, and the beauty of its visions for the future.
“Africa is not waiting to be saved. Africa is building, creating, and leading — we only need to listen.”
(From my reflections after finishing a series of articles for community leaders in Germany and abroad)
Looking back, I realize this volunteer work was never just about helping organizations share their stories. It was about finding my own voice, too. It taught me that writing can be a form of activism — a way of amplifying voices,as well as of building bridges
All of the articles I wrote can be found directly on the websites of the organizations themselves and on the Kulturforum Freiburg platform(https://kulturforum-freiburg.info/blogs/entry/mitgliedsvereine-des-kulturforum-freiburg-e-v), where many African community associations are represented. These are the organizations I had the privilege to write for:
- Tukolere Wamu e.V. – https://www.tukolere-wamu.de
- Edo Union Freiburg e.V. – No own website, but listed on https://kulturforum-freiburg.info/blogs/entry/mitgliedsvereine-des-kulturforum-freiburg-e-v
- Die Igbo Community Union Southwest Germany e.V https://igbounionfreiburg.com/en/
- Movement e.V. (Burkina Faso) – No own website, but listed on the https://kulturforum-freiburg.info/blogs/entry/mitgliedsvereine-des-kulturforum-freiburg-e-v
- MyHealth MyAfrica Team e.V. – https://myhealthmyafricateam.com
Links to my published articles: