A Place to Call Home
Encarna’s relationship with Fundación Asha-Kiran began many years ago and continues today as she supports migrants and refugees through Vínculos Project in Málaga. In this testimonial, she shares the encounters, lessons learned, and connections that have shaped her experience.
“My relationship with Asha-Kiran began in 2009, when I had the chance to travel to India as a volunteer and see firsthand the work they were doing there. But above all, I met the people who made this foundation possible: a small organization in size but immense in its ability to transform lives.
Almost twenty years later, I feel deeply grateful to still be part of this journey as a volunteer with Vínculos Project, here in Málaga, my city.
When we started the Spanish classes, we couldn’t have imagined everything that was to come. Over time, Asha-Kiran has created much more than a place for learning: it has built a safe space where migrants and refugees come not only to learn the language, but also to feel supported, heard, and welcomed.
It’s exciting to see how they’re making progress, the enthusiasm with which they learn our language, and their determination to build a new life. But it’s also moving to discover the empathy, solidarity, and support that emerge among themselves, creating a true community.
In addition to the Spanish classes, the Mentors program has given me a very special gift: the chance to get to know someone who now calls me “sister.” Knowing that she doesn’t feel alone is one of the greatest gifts I’ve ever received.
I hope more people will be motivated to volunteer, because you receive so much more than you give. In my case, every time I go to teach a class, I leave feeling so much better than when I got there.”
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Thank you, @uncaminoporandar, for so many years of commitment and generosity.
In every companionship story, we discover that connections have the power to change lives—both for those who receive support and for those who choose to offer it.
We invite you to become part of this network of committed individuals. You can do so by volunteering—sharing your time and skills—or by becoming a member of Fundación Asha-Kiran so that projects like Vínculos can continue to reach more people every day.
Every transformation begins when someone decides to get involved in another person's life.
The Vínculos Project of Fundación Asha-Kiran is funded by Málaga City Council, through the Department of Citizen Participation, Migration, External Action, Development Cooperation, Transparency and Good Governance.