BY LEULSEGED WORKU
The act of volunteering, further than helping people and beating the odds, attaches greater importance. The unselfish efforts exerted by individuals lessen the burden of the unfortunates, bring cheer to them and create a sense of belongingness inside them. Most importantly, because volunteerism does not have boundary, support the needy irrespective of religious affiliation.
Volunteering, the other way around, gives individuals who are offering freely their time, expertise and money, a sense of purpose and meaning, and is crucial to life satisfaction, happiness and, mental and physical health.
Volunteerism is a common for Ethiopians to help each other and a well-developed culture of the people. This has been tested in various times both in highs and lows times. This is not something Ethiopians borrowed from outside. It is an innate nature which can be found in the soul of every Ethiopian- from a little child to the senior citizen.
Let alone the old times, the recent incalculable activities that have been carried out by volunteers individual and organizations can be mentioned in this regard. Especially, the young people are widely taking part in volunteer works to support the community.
While talking with regard to volunteerism, Prime Minister once said: “If we nurture the value of service in youth, we can reach our potential of transformation.”
Yeshi Derbe is a young teacher at Amigonian School. For her, generosity and sharing is common trend of Ethiopians. To share something, one needs not to involve in a higher education institute or to read a book about generosity. Sharing needs only a pure heart which rejoices not only in receiving but also in giving.
“This is what I witnessed in my students. They are always happy to share what they got. Children share what they have without being flattered by deceiving words or any other promotion. They help others because of the joy they will get out of it.”
According to her, whenever there is parents’ or any other special day in the school, they always are happy to discharge their responsibility. Their dedication and interest to help others is not restricted within the premises of the school. “I have seen them performing all good deeds outside the school or participating in voluntary services,” she remarked recalling her students’ willingness and commitment while they were asked to extend a helping hand to displaced people.
To further strengthen this culture, parents should take the responsibility. They should teach about this moral virtue. Children are reflections of either their parents or their teachers and classmates. For this reason, teachers, especially KG teachers, have a dual responsibility in implanting the seed of generosity and other good moral deeds, not merely in words but in indeed and in truth, she added.
“Whenever we exert our knowledge on our students, we are investing in their family, in the country as well.” Showing little children the way and the importance of supporting others should be the duty of every teacher, added Hiwot.
True, inculcating the culture of volunteerism among children has many-sided benefits. According to Tsegereda Astatke, Head Nurse at one of Private Hospitals in the capital, volunteering aside from benefitting targeted communities and alleviating the burden of social and economic challenges, has its own personal benefits for volunteers. “Volunteering has several given and received rewards; including health benefits. By reducing stress and increasing positive, relaxed feelings, it improves one’s health status.
Mentioning that she has been taking part in various volunteer programs, (especially in church programs as a Sunday school student), she said that her previous years’ experiences as a volunteer have placed its positive influence on her later life- to grow the tendency to dedication, integrity, determination and compassion even in her current profession as a nurse. What is more, volunteering is a great way to learn new skills and experience, and it elevates ones passion for helping people.
“Even if I am now paid employee, I know very well the spiritual and worldly benefits of spending time in service to others. Because, it allows serving people from all walks of life, regardless of any differences, it creates a sense of purpose in volunteers’ life,” she remarked.
Indeed, Ethiopia as a land where the great religions, cultural of the world (Christianity, Islam and Judaism) are living together, in harmony, sacrificing one`s interest for the sake of others in the form of voluntarism or participating in any charitable activities, creates sense of togetherness and belongingness. They enjoy the norms of helping or living for others, which is priceless virtue.
The Ethiopian Herald September 6/2022
