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Damian Glania: A Software Engineer’s Journey of Volunteerism and Cultural Immersion

Damian Glania, a 58-year-old software engineer from Munich, Germany, has devoted more than 14 years to volunteer work with the Jesuits in different communities. Additionally, for nearly 20 years, he has broken away from his routine work with machines and logic to volunteer at a social service center at the Munich train station called “Bahnhofsmission” on weekends.

Seeking new challenges and experiences, Damian applied for the Jesuit Mission Volunteer Program in 2009. This decision led him to various assignments in India and the Philippines. Most recently, in January 2024, he found himself in Timor-Leste, where he extended his expertise to teach software engineering and set up computer labs for various Jesuit institutions. Despite the potential need for additional resources in the schools and institutions he worked with, Damian was deeply impressed by the warmth, kindness, and sense of community among the people he encountered.

During his time in Timor-Leste, Damian cherished the openness and friendliness of the people, from the youngest children to the elderly individuals he met. He hopes that the software and computer networks he implemented, along with the training he provided, will positively impact those who sought his assistance. As he said: “I usually can learn something about other people but also about myself, and often I get more in return than I can give, and I hope the software, the computer networks I created, and the training I offered to some people in Timor-Leste in that short time may be of some use for them and those who asked for this work.”

Despite not being a fan of leisure travel, Damian recognizes the importance of immersing himself in different cultures and ways of life. He believes that true learning and personal growth stem from interacting and working with diverse communities. HE emphasizes the significance of his work, stating, “I do it to learn something, and if it is also useful for those I was working with, I’m especially happy.”

His experiences have reinforced his belief in the importance of engaging with diverse perspectives and embracing the opportunities for personal growth that come from stepping outside of one’s comfort zone.