Meet Katia, an office volunteer supporting CAFOD’s Latin America, Caribbean and comms teams.
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I'm originally from Brazil. I'm here in the UK because my husband is working here, and I like it too. Before moving here, I was a researcher, a PhD student. [The focus of my work] was Indigenous people in Brazil. [That research] was a turning point in my life because the cultures are so different, and as a grandchild of Japanese immigrants we are also different in Brazil because we are not white. I could feel prejudice [against me] and it was difficult for me to grow as a confident person.
In my adult life, I could realise that I am as I am, same as the Indigenous people. They are as they are, and they have the right to live as they want.
When I finished my PhD studies, I was in the UK and I was trying to think how I can adapt myself here because, with my PhD studies and researching, I was linked to Brazil. And I needed to be part of this society. So, I told a friend of my friend that I wanted to work with textbooks, maybe digital material for education, and talk about the Indigenous people. So, she suggested to apply to be a volunteer at CAFOD.
I signed up to be a volunteer and after two weeks Fulvio (Volunteer Support Team Manager) contacted me and I started to support the Latin America and the Caribbean team with transcribing and translating interviews in Portuguese from Brazilian partners. That is very important for me because CAFOD's mission is very linked with my Christian vocation.
It's very rewarding to see the goals that partners and CAFOD can achieve together.
When I started to work, supporting the communications of the Latin America and the Caribbean team, I learned more about the partners and the charities we (CAFOD) work with in Brazil, and I realised how much we can do from here [in the UK]. Because CAFOD and its partners and donors, of course, support many churches in Brazil, which work supporting people who deserve to live better.
It was easy to start working from home [in Wales[ and connect to CAFOD staff in London. We have meetings every week and I feel very supported by them. If I have any questions, I can send emails and we can chat by [Microsoft] Teams.
I feel supported by CAFOD to do different things (to help others). I feel very supported to make a difference, to try to make our society better.
