Mariam Amini, an avid traveler and dedicated volunteer, shares her transformative experiences with charities, farms, and rural development projects. Her journey has been impactful not just for herself, but for anyone willing to dive in, no matter their background.
Mariam embarked on her first volunteering adventure at 22, during the summer of her junior year at university in 2018. Her journey commenced with a 10-week program organized by Raleigh International in Malaysian Borneo, which provided financial support to individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds.
“I was over the moon to be accepted into the program,” she recalls. “The bursary brought my fundraising target down from over £2,000 to just £800, which made it so much more attainable.”
After a grueling 18-hour journey, Mariam arrived in Kota Kinabalu, feeling drained yet excited. Sitting with fellow volunteers at the airport, fatigue began to fade, replaced by a palpable sense of adventure.
During their training, the volunteers were split into basecamp teams that would facilitate their roles in community projects, conservation efforts, and leadership treks in the jungle. Mariam vividly remembers the diversity within her group, which included participants from all corners of the globe.
A highlight of her experience was forming a strong bond with Christian, a manager sporting a light pink cap. They developed a close friendship while working on a conservation project in Danum Valley, where they focused on building a bridge for scientists studying the primary rainforest. “We weren’t thinking about anything romantic at that point; we built a solid friendship first,” she explains. Their connection deepened over the years, leading to marriage less than two years later.
“Strangers can quickly become friends in unfamiliar settings,” Mariam reflects. Since their Raleigh expedition, the couple has traveled to nearly 30 countries together, exploring regions from the Balkans to Latin America. Throughout their travels, volunteering has remained a central theme.
“Platforms like Workaway have connected us with local projects in various countries, from a permaculture farm in Malaysia to a coffee plantation in Nicaragua,” she notes. “Each project seemed perfectly timed, especially our visit to Pulau Bidan, a mostly uninhabited island in Malaysia just before the pandemic hit.”
Their weeks on Pulau Bidan were almost dreamlike, surrounded by nature, yet they were acutely aware of the pandemic unfolding around them. “We were the last volunteers on the island as Covid became a reality,” she recalls. “Eventually, we chose to return to the UK and stay with family during lockdown.”
In 2020, Mariam and Christian seized opportunities in Croatia for the olive harvest. They made the bold decision to leave the UK just before the second lockdown, leading to an eight-month journey through the Balkans. “By working with local communities, we traveled more sustainably and experienced each country authentically,” she explains.
Most recently, in January 2023, Mariam volunteered with Refugee Support in Cyprus, an experience that hit close to home, as her family had been refugees from Afghanistan. “After the Taliban’s return in 2021, I felt a strong urge to reconnect with my heritage,” she shares. “Working with Afghan refugees was overwhelming and healing, clarifying my vision for the future.”
Her time in Cyprus solidified her aspiration to pursue a career in journalism focused on preserving diaspora stories. “Volunteering changed my life path in countless ways—I met my husband, rekindled my faith, navigated lockdowns, and discovered my career direction through it,” she explains, emphasizing the rich rewards of stepping beyond comfort zones.
“Volunteering is an empowering experience that is accessible to everyone,” she concludes. “For those with financial challenges, organizations like Raleigh offer incredible support. There are opportunities in our own communities, just waiting to be explored.”
To follow Mariam and Christian’s travel and volunteering adventures, check them out on Instagram at @budget.backpackers.
