Today is the International Volunteer Day, a celebration that seeks to pay tribute to all those people who help others without asking for anything in return. Because unfortunately, there is still a lot to do to make the world a little fairer. And, although to a great extent it depends on the work of governments and the highest levels of the world, the reality is that the work and cooperation of volunteers is essential in the work to achieve a better world.
What is being a volunteer?
Volunteer work is not easy, but it is the most rewarding activity you can do in your life. A volunteer is a person who offers their skills, each one to the extent that they possess, be it knowledge, physical or emotional capacity. All this in a disinterested way, with the sole objective of helping where it is needed, both the most disadvantaged people, and in order to meet the global goals. In other words, achieve sustainable development.
There are different ways to volunteer:
- The community: Consists in improve education and culture in different communities, through different activities offered for people with few resources, economic, health, educational, etc.
- Of social exclusion: In this case, it focuses on helping marginalized groups, or those who suffer some kind of discrimination. At present, thanks to sustainable development plans, we work essentially with women, disabled people, immigrants, people with another religion and with different races.
- Cooperators: The most important type of volunteering, since it deals with improve and enhance individual capabilities, so that insertion in the labor field is achieved. It also consists of improving and caring for the planet and offering the tools to developing communities so that the economy of each region is possible and sustainable.
- Environmental: Another very important volunteer job is the one in charge of the protection and conservation of the environment.
- Civil protection: It is about collaborating in the actions of recovery of communities from disasters natural, such as fires, floods, earthquakes, etc.
How to help other families
All the actions mentioned above are forms of volunteering, but there are also closer ways to help other people who really need it. In your own city and in your own community there are many families at risk of social exclusion. Since the last economic crisis, many families that used to live well have been affected. And those who were already living badly, accused the world economic problem even more.
A serious problem from which many families have not yet recovered. Therefore, it is essential to have the citizen cooperation and selfless help from volunteers. Your help can be very necessary and very valid, regardless of what you can contribute, for example:
- Help older people living alone. Accompanying these people is an improvement in their quality of life, something that we all deserve
- Collaborate in food collection campaigns. Every so often large food collection campaigns are carried out, you can sign up through the websites enabled for this in each city. Also through the official food collection page, you can access through this link.
- Personalized Advice: If you have knowledge of any kind, you can advise people with few resources. Helping to obtain financial aid through social security, medical applications, or teach job search. You can also help fill out official documents such as the children's application for admission to school, or put people with few resources in contact with social workers who can help them in many ways.
All help is welcome to those who need it most. Both those that live on other continents, and those that are close to you. Just as help is needed to rebuild areas affected by the latest floods and earthquakes, to clean up our seas or to replant our forests. Become a volunteer and you will be able to contribute to improve the lives of many people.