Three TED Stories On Volunteering
You’ve probably heard about celebrities volunteering, those with lots of time and funds to spare, and those you can’t relate to. It doesn’t take much to make a difference in someone’s life. Read on to find about how three regular people were inspired to volunteer: three inspiring real-life stories from across the globe.Photo by Ilyass SEDDOUG on Unsplash
Building a school in Africa
“When I was 15 years old, I built a school in Africa. Over a span of just one year, my team and I raised over $38 thousand for our sponsored village, and I personally flew to Malawi to help the construction of the school,” — this is how Chih Tong Lee begins her talk during a TED meeting. Who are the great educators who spend so much time on giving others a possibility to study?
The idea to build a school for the poor children in Malawi really inspired Chih Tong. The lady is sure it would help deprive the poverty and eradicate the high illiteracy rates which we observe in the developing world. However, one should not think all the volunteers experience only pride and joy after their work. Chih Tong shares her story honestly.
Indeed, first of all, the girl was proud of her team. They were going to save this world, weren’t they? However, after a while, she felt a bit disappointed. In her opinion, such activities “involve less world-saving but more standing around”. And it is not always inspirational. Well, what did the volunteering time spent look like for Chih Tong?
“What actually happened was that we were occasionally digging some dirt out of a hole or standing in a line passing bricks to the people who are actually doing the work.”
Here we might see the common concern that a lot of volunteers face. Firstly, we start to volunteer and immediately think we can make a difference at once. But secondly, we observe how many people contribute to the volunteering processes, and it decreases our enthusiasm.
Expand your network through volunteering
Well, what to do about that? Another speaker who gave a prominent talk at TED knows the answer. Eric Cooper has spotted the same issues. But he has been happy to become a part and parcel of volunteering activities. Do you know why?
“One of the best things about working for a non-profit the last 25 years is the fact that I got to work with a lot of great people. In the food back we have a thousand volunteers that come through our doors each week. One of our volunteers is 84 years old. He likes to come and sort a few canned goods. And then he likes to tell jokes…”.
The impact of volunteering on adults and children
It is incredible to hear that volunteering does not keep attached to the age or social status. Kofoworola Jolaoso in her TED talk thinks that even kids will benefit a lot from volunteering, not to mention adults.
“I am 13 years old. And I am a modern-day world changer. About 30 years ago it might have seen impossible for young people, teenagers to educate themselves on global matters and use that to make widespread changes. But that’s what is going on these with our youth.”
Kofoworola says the world has become a welcoming place for everybody to volunteer.
Indeed, a lot of people want to help communities, and make a difference by lending a hand to the people in need. We at 1HOUR are sure education is the best platform where positive changes begin. If you agree, join us. You will never regret that.
