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Volunteering exposes you to a whole new world
It's true, especially here in Africa, that when you are a volunteer, you experience different living conditions and learn to appreciate things you often take for granted. To pick one example, I never had to share a single toilet, when I went to school, with 20 other students. Many good people have become so comfortable in their own (privileged) lives that they fail to realize what’s happening at the other end of the spectrum. I, for one, am now more appreciative for the roof over my head, running water and electricity, as far, far too many lack these basic amenities.
Ngomongo School Playground
Culturally, I also learned plenty, far too much to go into detail here. But one main benefit, as a direct result of my volunteering, was gaining the experience of how outsiders viewed me and my country. When you volunteer you are an informal ambassador. Everyone’s got questions and kids have hundreds of them. From what’s asked, it’s easy to see the picture they have of you in their heads. Whether this picture is accurate or not, that’s for you to determine, but the interaction is always insightful.
Volunteering helps for paying gigs as well
When you volunteer you sharpen your skills, which in turn goes a long way in boosting your career and future prospects. Such an experience can also help you discover new interests and new perspectives. As a volunteer, I went through various training exercises and workshops. This exposure has certainly benefitted me, as I will be able to incorporate those skills when applying for jobs. Another aspect concerning volunteering is that you only perform the number of hours that you are able to; so, for me at least, it sharpened up my time management skills and helped me prioritize.
International Volunteer Day, Mathare
Volunteering puts a smile on someone's face
Bottom line, volunteering is fun. You get to meet new people, experience other cultures close up, network in a productive environment and learn a lot in the process. But don't forget about how much happiness you bring to someone’s life by helping out. Take, for example, (just off the top of my head) volunteering for an organization that runs a mentorship program in the Ruaraka Slum in Nairobi. The feeling you get when the participants tell you how much you have cannot be beaten. And, just as much as they won’t forget you, you can be certain of never forgetting them.
