by Nathaniel George Hipolito (volunteer writer)
Would you leave a lucrative career as a lawyer, and a nurse
to serve in Mindoro? How could a leadership and academic awardee choose volunteering
over a possible corporate career to work with the Igorot in Baguio? Would you
be willing to be assigned in Negros Occidental, Bukidnon or Lanao del Sur, and
speak a new language? Who would dare to take this leap of faith?
Apparently, there still are people who defy logic and leave
comfort zones, successful careers to lend voices for the marginalized. Their
choice is to take on a life-changing journey. Volunteers are proof thateven in
these times where the youth are oftentimes seen as apathetic, even in tough
times, young people dare and speak of hope through serving.
For a few months to a full year, young people apply and get
accepted to volunteer service programs in the country to immerse themselves in
a new language, new culture and new environment, all to bring positive change.
The Associate Missionaries of the Assumption (AMA),Jesuit
Volunteers Philippines (JVP), Miriam Volunteer Mission (MVM) and the Year of
Service (YOS) are sending a new batch of
volunteers for this school year. These volunteer sending organizations recruit,
train and field volunteers to schools, parishes and rural organizations.
Volunteers work with disadvantaged and marginalized communities who lack human
resources. YOS is sending its 16th batch of volunteers to work in organizations
in the Visayasand Mindanao mostly in the field of agriculture and education.
Working withMaryknoll Mission areas, the handicapped and rural organizations,
MVM issending its 6th batch of volunteers. AMA is sending its 25th batch of volunteers,
some to work in parishes. And JVP, founded in 1979, is missioningits 30th batch
of volunteers to render faith-driven volunteer service from Ilocos Sur to South
Cotabato.
The volunteers that AMA, JVP, MVM and YOS send serve as teachers,
trainers, researchers, parish workers, and community or youth organizers.
Because of the lack of human resources in the areas where they are sent, volunteers
often assume more than one role. With a modest allowance, they live in
simplicity and in solidarity with the community they are in. Working side by
side with indigenous peoples and non-government organizations, the volunteers
share their knowledge, skills and talent to promote positive change in their
areas of assignment.
The four volunteer sending organizations have, over the summer
months prepared the volunteers for service. Skills training, orientation, and
immersion are just some of the preparations volunteers went through. The respective
program officers and staff, along with the former volunteers are key players in
these weeks and months of preparation. Those who have been through the
volunteer service program now actively support the current batch of volunteers.
The "alumni" of these volunteer service programs speak about how
volunteering has changed their lives and passing on the culture, tradition and
eventually inspiring the volunteers in their desire to make a positive
difference.
As they have heard from former volunteers, the months to a
year in their areas is definitely not a walk in the park, nor a vacation. Motivated
by the desire to serve and give, volunteers realize that there is much work to
be done, goals to be achieved and change to look forward to. Volunteers who are
placed in new environments oftentimes have stories of anxiety, fear and
frustration. Rural students may learn slower than their urban counterparts.
People's organization members may lack unity and may lack direction in their
programs. The organizations may not have enough capacity for their programs.
All these need the volunteers creativity, perseverance and resourcefulness -but
through their respective volunteer sending and host communities, hopefully
these shall be turned into joy, fulfillment and meaning.
AMA, JVP, MVM and YOS continually support to their volunteers
throughout the year through various skills enhancement seminars and sessions.
Personal support is also ensured through area visits, and regular communication
between program officers and volunteers. These organizations have also devised
programs to respond to the needs of the volunteers' families, recognizing their
key role in a volunteer year's success.
These young people may have come from different provinces
in the country. They may speak different languages. Some have professional
experiences and some are just out of college. They may have various motivations
in joining the volunteer service programs they have chosen, but a common thread
runs through all these. Their desire to serve, give and offer their skills for
the communities that need them most is the one thing spoken loud, clear and
hopefully, understood.
We're encouraging volunteers and organizations to send
volunteer articles at voicenational@yahoo.com
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