KIDLanthropy

While we’ve all been exposed to subjects
that challenge us academically, and
sports and cultural activities that cater
to our health and creative needs, volunteering is a
way for us to grow emotionally. There are few things
in life that will give you the insight that volunteer
work does. “Teens who volunteer are taken out of
their comfort zone and are exposed to people and
communities they would not otherwise have access
to,” says Landi.
It’s Addictive – in a Good Way!
Community Hours is always thrilled to see students
returning even after they’ve completed their
compulsory hours, often with their siblings and
parents in tow! When you look at numbers plainly,
it’s easier to understand what a difference this makes
in the lives of other people. “In 2016, volunteers
on the Community Hours platform logged over
40 000 volunteering hours. Considering that
there are only 8760 hours in a year, that is over 4.5
years of volunteering in one year. The impact on
communities is huge,” Landi says.
It’s not a punishment!
“Community service is not a punishment and it is
not penance,” Landi reminds us. “We really need to
change that mindset. We also need to stop looking
at community service as a tick box and for the easy
way out. Find something that you really like doing,
go out and truly engage.”
There is a reason so many people love to volunteer,
go figure out why that is…
It feels good!
Try as we might to perform “selfless” acts, we’re
human, and we like to feel good. And more often
than not, our actions benefit us directly. Case and
point; people who volunteer live longer than those
who don’t. It’s okay to volunteer because it makes
you feel positive about yourself. And at the end
of the day, you have the immense ability to affect
change in the lives of others while you’re at it. When
it comes to volunteer work, helping yourself means
helping others. Like Beyoncé says, “We’re all in
this together. Each and every one of us can make a
difference by giving back.”
Still not convinced?
If Beyoncé couldn’t sway you, maybe some teens who
have taken part in the Community Hours programme
can. Here’s what they had to say about the experience:
“This was a new experience for me, that I will never
trade for anything else in the world. Meeting people
who are mentally challenged could have been a no
go area for some, but I was truly touched by some of
the residents stories.”
“It was a really amazing experience. I would
recommend that anyone goes to spend a few
hours uplifting rundown crèches. It makes a huge
difference in the children's lives.”
“I had an amazing experience interacting with children.
I realised how lucky we are and how talent flourishes
even when there isn’t the best of environments.”
www.communityhourssa.co.za
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