I started volunteering in college and I worked in several organizations, from helping the disabled while horseback-riding (a very special and wonderful therapy) to office work in an NGO focused on promoting higher education abroad. Both experiences have made me a richer person. Not only did I help someone else and contributed to the community but I also gained valuable work experience! There is an inexplicable feeling when you help someone out that no amount of money can give. Honestly, it fills your soul and it's not hard to do when you know it's for a greater good. Apart from that great feeling of doing something bigger than yourself, you get experience in a field you normally wouldn't get. For me it was great, cause by the time I graduated I already had several years of work experience and education necessary to upgrade my skills. Getting a job after that was much easier!
Anyway, try it! Go to your local volunteer center or go online and check what possibilities are available. Pick the field you'd like to get involved with and offer to help. So, it could be - work with children, arts, helping the disabled or/and the less fortunate, organizing fundraisers and charity events, going to the seniors' home and spending quality time with the elderly...there are many options. Choose the amount of time you would like to dedicate to others. In the beginning it could be an hour a week, then you can change it and who knows, one day it could be an hour (or more) a day!
There are also short term and long term possibilities. You can start locally and then go international, cause there are lots of opportunities abroad. Usually they cover your accommodation and food expenses in return for your help. Check out the possibilities and see what is available!
I'm sure you will find happiness and content in this and not only your days will be sunny but you will make other people's days be sunny as well!
Let me know what you chose to do and how it made a difference in your life!
Don't know where to start? Here are some links to get your started!
Croatian Volunteer Center
Global Volunteer Network
Do it!
United Nations Volunteering - Online volunteering!
All Hands Volunteers
Africa Heartwood Project
No comments:
Post a Comment