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volunteering means to carry out a duty or a job without expecting repayment or
remuneration. The concept is very popular in the advanced or rich countries such
as United States, Australia, United Kingdom and other western nation. In Laos,
the concept is rather alien as may look at volunteering as rendering help
without expecting payment in return as a waste of time and effort. However,
there are many benefits one can gain through volunteering. When one volunteers
to help out someone such as a friend, teacher or parent, one is immediately seen
as selfless and helpful. When you help a teacher to clean he classroom or get
involved in cleanliness campaign at the school level or other community
projects, your standing would be elevated. Teachers and adults would look at a
young person who volunteers his or her time for a certain activity as mature,
responsible and deserving of respect.
In addition, volunteering with an organization such as orphanages, community
centers and other non-profit organizations such as the Society for Prevention of
Cruelty towards Animal and other welfare organizations allows you to interact
with society at large. In addition to helping these organizations carry out
their duties, you not only gain experience but can learn a variety of skills.
This is especially beneficial for students. Even though one is not being paid,
through volunteering time, effort and skills one would learn more than what
money can buy. You can learn to be bold, assertive, independent as well express
your opinions and gain communication and interpersonal skills. In Laos, this is
lacking. Thus, the responsibility falls on the teachers to encourage students to
volunteer their times not only for school activities but to spend their leisure
in helping out community-based organizations.
Volunteering also allows one to become more mature at a relatively younger
age. When you are exposed to volunteering at a young age be it at the home
front, school or their organizations, you would learn the importance of
responsibility in carrying out your duties to the best of your ability.
Embarking on volunteer activities would enable one to learn survival skills such
as responsibility, ability to express ideas as well as the importance of hard
work and diligence.
Volunteering also exposes one to many interesting ideas and issues. For
example, if you volunteer your time regularly at a charity organization, you
would learn how the organization works and the importance of team work, and
other essential ideas related to the day-to-day operations. of the
organizations. You will not only enhance your general knowledge, but also learn
how to deal with problems, challenges as well dealing with different types of
personalities.
Thus, there are many benefits to be gained by volunteering. Students in
particular should be allowed to participate in volunteer activities to enhance
their knowledge as well learn useful interpersonal and organizational skills. |
