Dugnad. It is the one thing that Norwegians have that people not from here will not totally understand. The concept is as old as when they were just farmers all around. They get together and do a certain task that needs to be done. Like cleaning up the outdoor area of a nursery, manning the kiosk during 17th of May (their national day) and the list goes on.
There is the same concept where I come from and it is usually during weddings and big events where people get together to help said family. So for me it is not a strange concept nor was it weird.
The other thing that is common is people doing volunteer work. The Red Cross, The Norwegian Trekking Association and a variety of other things. What I have done was several types through the years, helping the women’s shelter, refugees through the Red Cross and the poor.
I was already doing volunteer work back home. It was just a normal step for me to continue doing so. I am still doing it where I am living and right now I have 2 Afghan girls I have taken under my wings.
The culture of volunteering is a wonderful thing, especially in a country where they have a good welfare system. Volunteering helps fill the gaps that the system is unable to catch or help.
Everyone should try it.
The satisfaction of knowing you can make a difference is wonderful.
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