Even though 2020 is gone for good, the novel coronavirus remains. It may not be so much in our country, but the rest of the world suffers from it. That is why the number of volunteers has increased since last year, and it rises each day. One of the things every volunteer shares is building a house, school, and park. Of course, this voluntary work is only possible for countries who already lowered the number of cases they have. While for the rest, they donate bottles of drinking water, PPE, disinfecting alcohol, etc. That is how they help the world today.
Why Should You Do Voluntary Work?
Those people who are volunteering chose to do it for various reasons. For some, it gives them a chance to give back to the community, While for others, it offers them an opportunity to develop a new skill and create connections with others. Nevertheless, volunteers do it for selfish reasons. It is not like in the movies, where volunteers do it because they have a big heart. Well, there are few, but that is not always the case. So, for you to find out why you should do voluntary work, check the reasons below.
Feel Better About Yourself.
Showing goodness to those less fortunate will help you to think and feel better about yourself. You would understand more how good your current situation is. You would also notice what privilege you had growing up that you often take for granted. As a result, you will become more aware of what you do and say. Also, you would not quickly protest what happened just because things didn’t go as well as you planned. You would try to solve it first before you file a complaint.
Make a Difference in the lives of others.
It is possible, especially if you become a volunteer for a long time. Those people who you helped would remember you and your good deeds. What you did would remain in their memory, and that could give them the courage to help others, too. That is what giving back to the community means. Those people you helped would help other people to give thanks for what you did, and this cycle will never end as long as you continue helping others in need.
Meet New People.
Naturally! Once you become a volunteer, those people in need are not the only people you would meet. There are your co-volunteers, too. If you make friends with them, that will help you do better with your voluntary work. Also, that would broaden your support network, and that could help you later in life.
Expand Your Horizons.
With all the different people you would meet, you would gain ideas and knowledge about the world they see. You would understand the different views and beliefs they apply in their life. Along the way, you might find something you would want to try that is outside of your comfort zone. For instance, you,building a house as a volunteerfor the less fortunate. Or you, teaching children how to read and write.
In other words, to experience new things you have tried before. As a result, you would gain more meaning in life. That is why you should become a volunteer if you want to find something meaningful in your life. Let others inspire you to find yours.
Good for Your Health
It sure does, especially when you enjoy a meaningful conversation with the person you meet for the first time. Your connection with them would help you combat your depression and even manage your anger issues. Some volunteers also do this to become more confident about themselves.
Advance in Your Career
Since you can add your volunteering experience to your resume, employers would see what you did in the past. They would somehow understand what kind of person you are. As a result, they would trust you more to become a part of their company.
In short, it gives you more chances to find a job. So, make sure you do well with your voluntary work. That way, if they contact where you volunteer, they would find out you are telling the truth about your volunteering experience.
Now, have you found out your reasons why you should do voluntary work? If you think you do, make sure you have a goal that you want to accomplish. That way, you could help a lot more people without forcing yourself too much. So, think, what should you do when you become a volunteer?
How Do I Volunteer?
To become a volunteer, you have to be clear about your own needs. Think about what you hope to get out of helping others. If you have something in mind, that is okay. There is nothing wrong with that. You see, volunteering is not only for anyone with a big heart. It could be your strategy to promote the products and services of your brand. However, make sure what you do is not just a show. If you already tell others you want to become a volunteer to start buildinga house, then do it. Remember to be honest with your words.
In case you still have no idea how to volunteer or how to become one, check out the listicles below. It will help you find out what kind of voluntary work you would want to do and who you want to help.
Figure Out Your Volunteering Goals.
For you to become a volunteer, you should have a goal of what you want to accomplish. For example, you want children to drink clean and safe water at all times. That way, they would not get sick and have amebiasis. Once you use that as your goal, think about what you could offer to solve the problem. One of the things you could do is donate bottles of drinking waterso they would no longer drink tap water. As a result, the number of children getting amebiasisdecreases significantly.
Weigh How Often You Can Volunteer.
Since you are no superhero, you could get tired and even get sick. Of course, you would not want that to happen, especially if you desire to help more people. So, plan your schedule and volunteer only when you are free and have nothing to do for the rest of the day. That way, you would not overwork yourself. Additionally, if you do this, it would somehow help you stay committed to your voluntary work in the long run.
Research Volunteer Opportunities Near You.
Once you have a goal to accomplish, it would be easier for you to find a place where you could help. Let us use the example above. For you, to make sure there are no children who would get amebiasis, you should join a group that shares the same goal as you. That way, you could help and save more children. So, for your purpose, consider becoming a member of the children’s safe drinking water program.
See, there are a lot of things you have to think over before you become a volunteer. So, make sure to think these things through and thoroughly. That way, you would not have any regret about your decision later on. Give yourself some time to think and do your homework. Once done and you know the answer to all of these, do your best to make your volunteering worthwhile.
How Can You Have an Amazing Volunteering Experience?
I am interested in volunteering!
By saying that phrase above, you are already amazing. You took a step forward to become a volunteer. For sure, it took you a while before you gained the courage to say those words out loud. So, congratulations. You are now part of a community that shares the same goal—to help others in need.
Well, to help you get the most out of your volunteering experience, make sure to follow these tips below. It would help you become better with your voluntary work!
Be Honest About What You Can Do.
As you might have heard, honesty is the best policy. That means no one could rely on you if you lie about what you can do. When that happens, no one will trust you either. So, make sure when you become a volunteer to donate bottles of drinking waterto the poor, do not promise anything that you would not do or prove later on.
Keep Track of Whatever You Learn.
Keeping track of what you did is not just for you to have something to remember later on. It could serve as evidence when to add it as an experience to your resume. As a result, employers would view you as a trustworthy and goodwill person. Therefore, remember to write what you did in detail at the end of each day.
Be Culturally Respectful.
You have to, especially if you are in other countries like Cambodia, helping to build a house for the poor. As you already know, each country has its own belief and custom. So, make sure you respect theirs if you want them to respect yours. Try not to say anything if you think your words will hurt.
Dress Appropriately.
Of course, since you are not there to show off your wealth and privilege. You are there to help others and show them you are there for them. That is why you need to be wary of what you wear since it could deliver different meaning. Try wearing a plain white shirt and jeans instead. That outfit is way better than any dress you could find in your closet. So, be sure to dress comfortably.
Balance Your Time, Try Not to Over Commit.
For you do well with what you do, you need to give yourself some time to rest. Instead of volunteering Monday to Friday every week, consider doing it on weekends. That way, you could focus more on your work and think things throughout the week on how you would help on Saturdays and Sundays.
Volunteer With a Friend.
In case you feel lonely volunteering by yourself, ask your friend to go with you. You see, when you become a volunteer, you could encourage others to volunteer, too. So, keep your shy away, and let your friend know that you need their help this upcoming weekend or when your volunteering date is.
Do Not Be Shy!
Otherwise, how would you help others if they feel shy approaching you, too? Therefore, have more courage in what you do, especially if you have been doing it for a long time. Let your energetic vibe spread so others would feel more of your positivity.
All in all, if you want to have an incredible volunteering experience, you should become a role model. Show other people that volunteering does not end when youdonate drinking water. There are a lot of ways to help the world we have today. You could start by giving a hand to your neighbours or the community around you.
Are You Ready to Help Others? Start Your Voluntary Work Today!
It is okay if you are not ready yet at the moment. There are a lot of times and opportunities when you could become one. Besides, there are others, too, who feel the same ways as you. Just keep in mind that volunteering is not only helping others. It is also for you. To make you feel better and see the world more clearly. So, give yourself some time and think things more through.
Therefore, when you feel like you want to help and build a house in Cambodia and other places, go to The Operation Hope Foundation. Along with their aid, you could make a difference and change the world for the better. Visit their website today and find out how you could become one of their volunteers and part of their children’s safe drinking water program.
Does this article encourage you to become a volunteer? If that is the case, consider starting small. Donate bottles of drinking water to the less fortunate near your neighbourhood.