I’ve been part of ULT’s HR team since last year and recently stepped into the role of Head of HR. While “Human Resources” may sound quite formal, to me it represents something much more meaningful.

My focus is on supporting our volunteers and fostering an environment where we inspire one another, offer support, and grow together as a team.

United by a shared purpose, we are working towards a common goal: collaborating effectively and contributing to a brighter future for children in Kenya.

I’ve wanted to get involved in volunteering again for quite some time. For a while, I even considered going to Kenya myself, but it never quite worked out. Still, I knew I wanted to make a meaningful contribution.

With the German team at ULT, I found the perfect opportunity to do just that. Working alongside passionate people, supporting one another, and being part of something that truly makes a difference. Together, we are driven by a shared purpose: creating impact, opening up opportunities, and helping build a better future.

Wow, that feels like quite a while ago. My absolute least favourite subject was Latin, although, looking back, it did have its upsides, since that’s where I met one of my best friends. As we both didn’t find the lessons particularly exciting, we at least made good use of the time to chat.

My favourite subject was definitely sports, especially the theoretical and biological side of it. I was always fascinated by understanding what happens in the body during physical activity. That curiosity eventually led me to study sports science. I particularly enjoyed analyzing my blood values after a sprint, even if, at times, I was more interested in the data than the workout itself.

In five years, I still see myself as part of the team, looking back on many shared projects, team trips, and memorable moments we’ve experienced together. I hope that by then, many new inspiring people will have joined us, people who share our passion and want to make a difference alongside us.

I also hope to have visited Kenya myself by then, to meet the children and experience firsthand the impact we’ve created together.

I have a sister who is about three and a half years younger than me. Since I was never a big fan of shopping, I used to regularly “borrow” clothes from her wardrobe. We also looked very alike, which often led to some funny mix-ups.

More than once, someone would come up to me and start talking about the soccer club and I’d be thinking, what are they even talking about?

It usually became clear at the latest when a teacher ended the conversation with “Bye, Philine!” that’s when I knew I’d been mistaken for my sister again.

Even today, there are childhood photos of us where not even our family can always tell whether it’s me or my sister in the picture.