Volunteerism is unpaid..but much REWARDING

Philippine Red Cross Iloilo Chapter : Handwashing program at Tacas Elementary School

“One can pay back the loan gold, but one dies forever in debt of those who are in kind”

Dear ladies and gentlemen,

And foremost: Dear volunteers and classmates!

 A pleasant good morning to all of you. This year’s international year of the volunteers is drawing to a close, with that, there are still few people keep on asking why volunteerism is somehow important aside from the fact that there is nothing to gain from it.

Let me share some of the things I’ve got through my years as a volunteer with the Philippine Red Cross.

People said that “In volunteering, you don’t gain. So why should we volunteer ourselves at the first place if there is nothing to earn? Volunteerism is rewarding. By definition, volunteer work is unpaid, so the reward you will reap will be more emotional and perhaps spiritual rather than financial. Well me as a volunteer, I learned respect for the individual and the cure for the wellbeing of the others. I have learned not only the value of tolerance but to celebrate diversity. I have learned to listen to others, value their opinion, and to work together in cooperation towards a common goal. For short, I think I can say that I have learned to be a better person in volunteering.

Volunteering to cleanup a river, packing up relief goods or build a hose for habitat can be great ways to stay busy and to contribute in positive way to your community, But Sometimes if you volunteer, you lose time for rest and time to spend with your family and your studies. It’s not the bad thing at all. Actually it can be a great way to spend your time and bond with your family. You can spend your family day together in packing up relief goods. It’s not just the bond and fun you and your family will get, you are also helping and touching the lives of people in need.