"I often get: "Why are you doing this? You don't get paid, get a proper job."
The story of Darina, a UNICEF volunteer
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Darina became a volunteer back at school. She took a class in medical training and began to help visitors and staff at an outpatient clinic. During her university studies, she joined a group of volunteers and started visiting foster homes and rehabilitation centers. "I remember crying in the toilet of the rehabilitation center for children with cancer, leukemia. Experienced volunteers supported me and helped me get together."
Now Darina herself leads a volunteer team and gathers people for trips to foster homes or rehabilitation centers. Despite getting such unpleasant questions and comments as "Do you have nothing to do? They don’t pay you, get a proper job," Darina dreams of opening a charitable foundation and is inspired by her grandmother, a doctor who traveled to Africa in the 70s and helped children.
Darina shared her story: why she became a volunteer and what volunteering means to her.
At UNICEF – the United Nations Children's Fund – we are always happy to welcome initiative young people. They can be useful in many ways here: fundraising (raising funds to support UNICEF programs), information volunteering (disseminating information about UNICEF programs) and helping to organize charitable, sports and partner events.
Find out more about UNICEF volunteer activities on Instagram: @unicef.volunteers.by. You can fill out an application form to become a UNICEF volunteer here or register on the «U-platform» – a platform for youth.
Darina Sergeeva. 22 years old, volunteer, BNTU student, future chemical engineer
My volunteering story began when I was still at school. I took a class in medical training, which allowed me to work as a junior medical staff member, a nurse. After school, I used to go to an outpatient clinic and help visitors and staff. I didn't get paid for it, I just liked helping.
When I entered the university, I went to the Open Hearts volunteer group. I started going to foster homes and rehabilitation centers. Every time a small piece of me stayed there, but I was leaving overwhelmed with emotions because I saw sparkles in the children's eyes, their smiles, sincere joy and gratitude.
Of course, volunteers see not only joy, but also grief. One of the reasons why people don't volunteer is probably fear. At first, I was also scared when I saw a 3-year-old child who was left without parents or was seriously ill.
I remember crying in the toilet of the rehabilitation center for children with cancer, leukemia. Experienced volunteers supported and helped me get together. They said: "These children have already seen so many tears. Let's try to cheer them up at least a bit." To see a child's smile I have done a lot over the years: I held workshops, created figurines from balloons, played Snegurochka and even Ded Moroz. I have a lot of energy and I like to share it with the world and with those who need it.
Now I am the leader of the Open Hearts volunteer group, which I joined as a freshman. Now I gather volunteers to go to foster homes or rehabilitation centers. When I ask people to join the team and help somebody or participate in some event I quite often hear: "What will I get in return? Will they pay me? Will I get a place at a dormitory if I participate?" I used to get angry when I heard such responses, but now I don’t waste my energy on such people anymore. I'd rather find someone who really wants to help, someone who doesn't need to have a reason.
Some people ask: "Why are you doing this? Do you have nothing to do? You don't get paid, get a proper job." Many don't understand. But I'm happy that my parents support me, sometimes they give money so that I can buy something for the children.
I am one of those people who have dreamt of making the world a better place since my very childhood. Maybe it's just my genes: my grandaunt is a doctor. In the 1970s, she traveled to Africa to help children. And I dream of opening a charitable foundation one day. While working, I make connections and take small steps towards achieving this goal.
I am sure that if everyone helps others at least a little bit, the world will change.
U-platform
is a useful resource for active pupils and students. There you can find out more about youth parliaments, UNICEF volunteer activities and "Stupeni" center, that was created to develop, implement and support youth initiatives.
Here you can take free online training, learn about upcoming events in your region and promote your own initiatives.
The Republican Volunteer Center coordinates the volunteer movement in the country. There are teams of volunteers in many educational institutions. Their projects and activities are implemented together with the center.
The Republican Volunteer Center also recruits volunteers for national and international events.
Find out more about the center and volunteer enrolment announcements on our social media. Our Instagram account is @rvcvolunteers. To find out if your educational institution has a volunteer community, contact its administration, dean's office or send an e-mail to [email protected].
