VOLUTEERING

To begin with, I want to state my opinion about practicing volunteering. I believe that, beyond numerous other benefits, a person who does volunteering work is not only a kind-hearted, benevolent and affectionate human, but also a person full of wisdom, intelligence, ability and patience, that deserves to be appreciated for that.

Furthermore, when someone donates his time and knowledge in order to help and teach others, both the community and the volunteer have to win something: the community improves, while the volunteer gain better experience. Volunteering is what brings people together to achieve a certain goal. Whether it is cleaning a natural environment, planting a tree, fundraising for a noble cause, sharing your knowledge to other people with less possibilities, helping a person who is sick, badly injured or have financial problems, volunteers have the power to make it happen.

For each of the examples mentioned, the satisfaction that you are such important for somebody else, brings the motivation. If you succeed in supporting and helping needy persons, you will surely give hope to them, which is the most important feeling in these situations, and why not, your contribution as a volunteer can actually change a man’s life.

The volunteers also benefit themselves, because they gain personal development such as self-confidence, self-esteem and a feeling of importance to see that their contribution have made a difference. You will be rewarded even in the future, not only with strengthen skills, like communication, team work, dedication, but also your career may be improved, as you will be seen as an honest, hard working, upright worker.

All in all, I strongly assume that, volunteering, in contrast with the fact that it does not give any material goods, it brings hope and happiness to people, mushrooms moral values, enlarge each individual’s spiritual growth and vision of life. It is surely a tremendous experience that cannot be bought with any amount of money.

REBECA STANCIUGELU, XI E