Héloïse has been working as a Civic Service volunteer with the national team at A Rocha France since December 2024 for a period of one year. She answered a few questions about her role and her experiences with A Rocha.
How did you end up at A Rocha?
I completed a master’s degree in science education in June 2024 and then began the long process of looking for work. After several weeks, I had no serious leads and was starting to get discouraged. A friend advised me to broaden my search and look at associations and NGOs working at the intersection of science and faith, a subject that interests me greatly.
A Rocha was the first association on the list and, coincidence or not, a very interesting Civic Service mission was on offer. So I contacted A Rocha France and quickly got a response: within a week I had a job! Admittedly, it wasn’t what I had imagined at first, but I quickly realized that this was where I belonged and I was very excited to discover what God had in store for me during this year with A Rocha.
What have you learned so far during your missions?
My main tasks are to support the coordination of the Ambassadors Network, to participate in communicating scientific work, and to think about creating resources for young people.
Before joining A Rocha, I was already aware of ecology in general, but without any deep connection to my faith. Over the last few months, I have come to understand the importance for Christians to care for creation. I have discovered that the Bible is full of God’s plans for the whole of creation, not just for humans. The Great Creator has placed us as good stewards of his work, of which we are a part, to live in communion with him, with our fellow human beings, and with the whole of creation.
Whether through books, webinars, discussions, or personal research for my various missions, my vision of ecology and how to act in favor of the environment has broadened. Caring for creation is intrinsically linked to caring for one’s neighbor. And to do this, we can take action at our own level and in many areas: food, transportation, digital technology, clothing, etc.
Professionally, I have also learned to work remotely as part of a team and to juggle different projects. All the encounters I have had with people from different backgrounds who are committed to caring for all of Creation have been inspiring and edifying.
Would you recommend a Civic Service mission with A Rocha France?
Absolutely! I didn’t really have the opportunity to do long internships during my university studies, but I now have the opportunity to gain long-term professional experience. And ultimately, some of my assignments are related to what I studied, while I’m also discovering other areas, which greatly enriches my skills. What’s more, the team is very welcoming and, despite working remotely in my case, I feel supported. I feel at home and have grown from everything I’ve discovered so far.
If you love nature, meeting new people, and are curious, I highly recommend getting involved in Civic Service with A Rocha!