Mira Hentze

It has always been difficult for me to find out what exactly I want to do in my life. When I have decided for one thing it automatically ecluded another opportunity. It seemed almost impossible to find the ONE thing that suits me, the ONE place where I want to stay, the ONE work that I want to do.

In 2007at Easter I had to come to the decision where and in which field I wanted to complete an internship abroad for my University studies. I was desperate. Nothing I found on the Internet, no job advertisement I considered interesting enough to do it for a full period of 6 months.

I gave up, postponed my purpose until next year and travelled to my mom’s for Easter. One afternoon I wanted to read a book. I went to see what we had in our bookshelf and saw the book Auroville – a Dream Takes Shape. I remembered that my mother had told me amazing things about that place – Auroville – when I was younger. I took the book and immediately knew: That’s it. That is what I want to do. I want to go there, no matter what. My hands were shaking when I opened the first pages and began to read. With every word I read my inner excitement and determination grew bigger. Every cell of my body knew that there was no way back.

I immediately wrote an email to a responsible person in Auroville. I asked if I could come to help in one of Auroville’s projects. I still don’t know how I received an answer a few days later: “Yes, it is possible for you to come and work with us.” I was delighted, I danced, I laughed and I embraced the world inside my heart. It might sound emotional but I knew that this was going to change my life and would be defining my future.

Now I know why. Since that day Auroville has been an inseparable part of my everyday life. In 2007 and 2008 I spent almost a year in Auroville – probably one of the happiest times in my life… until now.

After a short stay in Germany I went back immediately and ever since I have been going every year for some weeks or even months. In 2009 I started working with AVI- Germany and shortly after I found my place there in the work with the “welwärts” volunteers. I am involved with the administration and implementation of that program, which offers young volunteers the possibility of joining and serving Auroville and to maybe find a home there, just as it has been for me. What I love about Auroville cannot be said in facts and figures. It is that warm feeling in the heart, that SOMETHING, which is independent of what anyone can think about Auroville.