Why the hardest duty stations are worth it—a UN Volunteer's story

United Nations Volunteers
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"When I received my offer to serve as a UN Volunteer in MINUSCA, the peacekeeping mission in the Central African Republic, I was truly terrified," says Natalia Peshkova from the Russian Federation. "Of course, I Googled the country before, but suddenly those images of uncertainty, hardship, and the struggle for peace were no longer headlines; they were about to become my reality. Let me tell you, Google is not your best friend when you are preparing to be deployed to one of the most challenging duty stations in the world." 

Natalia had to prepare not only her suitcase but her mindset. This wasn’t just a job, it was a commitment to serve in a place where peace is fragile and every action matters. She continues, "Fear slowly gave way to determination as I reminded myself why I chose this path—to make a difference where it’s needed most. What awaited me was not comfort, but purpose. 

The unequal digital dawn: Who gets left behind?

United Nations Volunteers
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Imagine a world without digital. No smartphones, no laptops, no Zoom, no internet—just silence between continents and communities. Now picture the moment digital arrives and accelerates at lightning speed. But pause and ask: Does every country share the same resources? Can everyone benefit equally from this revolution? Is every voice included? You already know the answer—digital progress is not universal. And that’s where the real story begins. Let’s hear from Arita Arania Phillip, a UN Volunteer from Antigua and Barbuda.

“The first of January 1983 is the internet’s birthday. At that time, Antigua and Barbuda, where I call home, had only been independent for a little over a year. Many Small Island Developing States (SIDS), due to our small country size, population, and our separation by water, struggled to develop economically and therefore transform digitally. On the other hand, countries with economies of scale, developed infrastructure and high capital were able to transform at a rapid pace and at a lower cost.

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