Why volunteering is important
Why is volunteering important? One of the most popular requests in a search engine sounds like that. With the continual pandemic, more young people wish to fulfil their ambitions and search for a new volunteering opportunity. They find a breath of fresh air getting a volunteering experience. In this article, we will ponder crucially important questions about volunteering that worry a lot of people.
Where did volunteering originate?
Volunteering harkens back to I century. In Great Britain, special communities were formed aimed at helping all in need. One of the oldest schools where volunteers were welcome was created in the VI century, under the guidance of Saint Augustine. In the Middle Ages, the Roman Catholic church made orphanages and ran different educatory volunteering programs as a sign of kindness. At the same time, the charity was growing. Craft unions were voluntarily building bridges, schools, monuments, and shelters. Furthermore, in the XII-XIII centuries, England successfully funded volunteering hospitals.
If we consider the first examples of kindness, it becomes clear why volunteering is important. The limits of our nature are set, but with volunteering, we hope to cross them some time, to paraphrase the famous proverb.
Volunteering in the educational sector
Are you interested in getting into a teaching career? Let me share my own experience. Studying at university, I dreamt of teaching languages for children and adults. But with no experience, it was impossible. So, with a couple of friends, I went to a club for kids and offered the tutors our assistance. They agreed, and we were able to participate in the lessons and at the same time study new and interesting subjects. There, we figured out how to find the right approach and what is so special about volunteering. After that, I found a company that focused on teaching and sent them my CV with the trial lessons. In the cover letter, I tried to explain everything I knew about tutorships, and my candidacy was considered appropriate! However, if it hadn’t been for volunteering, I wouldn’t have succeeded in getting this job!
Also, volunteering is useful not only for a person who is eager to take up some exciting activities but for the schools and institutions, as well. As it is stated in the research of the University of California Los Angeles, ”volunteers are viewed as contributing to better school attendance, improved grades and test scores, matriculation, less misbehavior, better social skills, staying in school, graduating, and going on to college”.
How does volunteering help schools?
There are a lot of ways to be helpful when you consider why volunteering is important for schools and institutions.
- First of all, volunteers participate in greeting and welcoming events;
- Volunteers provide students with informational support and help by orienting newcomers;
- As well, volunteers help parents of children who attend the schools to get enough information about what is going on;
- Volunteers get an unbelievably unique experience of interaction with students by engaging those who have lost interest in studies;
- Apart from that, volunteers participate in recreation, enrichment activities, they also provide tutoring and mentoring services.
Sometimes, volunteers also help to prepare materials for the lessons. The last but not least, volunteering assistance is crucially important to grow leaders.
How does volunteering change the community?
Undoubtedly, volunteering is about safety. It’s also a perfect combination of empathy and sincere communication where all the education problems are easily removed. Also, as we have written before, great volunteers are able to help children after pandemic and self-isolation get passion towards the school subjects. If you dream of becoming a part of a really safe community where everyone listens to your needs, and you are able to serve those who feel deep gratitude to you, join 1HOUR.
