One of the first good things I did
(I was a victim of bad deeds too) when I stepped in campus was to join a club
that would open me up to the area of my study. Having had fun in high school
through club activities, I saw it as one of my major needs. I would not want to
be in only one. If the club never existed, we could have formed. Good it did! I did not wait for a poster to invite people
to the meeting. I called the chair to ask when the next meeting would be. Then I found my home among others. I would
sacrifice a class just for field event.
Volunteering is the willingness to
participate in activities that reward other people or better the environment
without expecting an appraisal or a reward. This is how I have come to
understand. It involves personal dedication of time, presence, contribution of
ideas and will. It basically involves goodwill and sacrifice.
Volunteering is not the actions of
being attached for a small period of time in wait for the calendar to unfold
and later move away. It is not the coercion of some token so as to involve
oneself in an activity. It is not a waiting corner for a soon-coming employment
post! It is but a lifetime commitment where thoughts of leaving are not boiled.
Whether more opportunities open up at another place, a person is not infringed
to fix some time or resources to volunteer. It is not the 8am-4pm thing!
Rarely would people want to
involve themselves in activities that are not ‘beneficial’. How many times have
my friends asked me whether there will be transport and lunch offered for an
orphanage visit? To them, baits are important. They would want to benefit. If
not a certificate, provide lunch; if no free transport, afford T-shirts. One should
strive to promise a few goodies. people who have been in the business of heading clubs or event
organizers can best tell this. In many
ways the people who had promised to turn up happen to fail.
The passion to volunteer opens up
one’s area of operation. Most of the best and sincere friends are met at the
volunteer arena- at least a person whom you share the same role. My friends do
agree to this. False friends are those
whom you will only meet in class and fail to turn up for a volunteer event. Different
experiences are shared and nurtured. Links are initiated.
One leads a
rewarding life…at least for one day!
In volunteerism, one is able to choose
where to stay and where to knock and disappear. It therefore entangles someone
from the ropes of employment where mandates, order and deadlines are stress
causal factors. It gives a person the ground to negotiate and willingness to
adjust and be flexible. It calls for an understanding boss who does not see one
as an asset but a gift to the organization. Both the volunteer and the
management bless each other in their different ways.
Self-realization as per Abraham’s
hierarchy on needs is experienced, if not attained. One is able to lower down
to the palms of clients and listen to them from their hearts. Do you want to
know why Mother Teresa and Mahatma Gandhi lived their lives fully for others? Do
not read their books to know. It is because of that moment when you would not
want to ignore a call of help, a need to attend to and a case to present. It is
the process of being an advocate of others without their knowledge.
I would want to be planting trees
every Saturday and be visiting hospitals every Sunday. On Monday, I would confirm
whether all children attended a class. On Tuesday, we will do a home visit to
the micro-business people to share from ther experiences. On Wednesday, a
training is set for a particular upcoming activity. I want to be there!
Thursday, my favourite, should see us sitting down to see the progress and
evaluating the impact of the activities. Friday needs follow ups- who was sick and is
now well? Who is feeling unwell? Every
day, a busy day. Just because of others.
Please invite me for any volunteer
work. I will be humble to join you.
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