“Don’t ever question the value of volunteers. Noah’s Ark was built by volunteers, the Titanic was built by professionals.”-Dave Glynn
In a world overflowing with challenges, societal injustice, outbreak of sudden disease, mental and physical health issues, it is evident that we all carry our own baggage. While some may succumb to these difficult times, others discover their strength and view these moments as inspiration to take action.
Volunteering is one such way to discover ourselves and focus our attention on more productive avenues.
I have been volunteering in many different ways from childhood and it has added valuable dimension to my personality. My experiences with volunteering know no boundaries – it transcends borders, cultures, and languages. It has also aided me in building trust and confidence between societies.
While I initially believed, I was giving back to the society, I soon realized that i was the one benefiting from volunteering.
It liberated my soul, I became more willing to take responsibility, did engaging work, gained new skills, made new friends, felt more confident than ever, improved my mental health, reduced stress and more importantly, it gave meaning to my life.
Simultaneously, Sadhguru’s words echoed into my ears,
“To volunteer is to become willing. To be willing beyond personal choices is the way to liberation”.
It cemented my understanding of benefits of volunteering when I recently stumbled on the fact that approximately 77% of the volunteers have acknowledged to have improved mental health from the time they began doing so.
As per United Nations Volunteers program, around 60% of the volunteers in India, are below the age of 30. Approximately 40% of Indians engage in some form of volunteering.
As the world confronts increasing challenges, younger volunteers are often the first to step forward, positioning youth volunteers at the forefront during crises and emergencies. This allows them to bring their unique skill sets to the organisation.
NGO’s have always benefitted from the experiences brought by the senior volunteers, no matter how big or small. In today’s world, time is the most precious thing to gift or donate. Corporate and the working individuals set an example by donating their time and resources, no matter how busy they may be. To quote the quote by Martin Luther King Jr. “Volunteers do not necessarily have time, they just have the heart.”
Every year on 5th December, International Volunteers Day, serves as a reminder that volunteering is not just one-day celebration but a lifelong commitment to making the world a better place. The theme, “the collective action: if everyone did”, encourages us to recognise the impact of individual contributions when combined with the efforts of others.
On this special day, Karunashraya took the opportunity to recognize and applaud the millions of volunteers who selflessly dedicate their time, skills, energy, and resources to make the world a better place to live. Let’s stand with volunteers- Everywhere! Together, we can build a more compassionate, inclusive, and sustainable world.
Author: Shilpi Agrawal
Volunteer at Bangalore Hospice Trust – Karunashraya
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