"It is easy to help others"
A story of a volunteer
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"One day, after one of the meetings, we found out that the boy we played with the day before was no longer alive," Lyuba recalls. The girl has been volunteering since 8th grade: helping homeless animals, going to foster homes, participating in charity concerts. The hardest part is the oncology centers. "I was returning home from the volunteer meeting where they told us the news about the boy and I was crying."
Lyuba 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.
Lyubov Los. 18 years old, volunteer, medical college student
When I went to school, once before the May 9 celebrations, our class visited a war veteran. We were eighth graders and came to help him clean the house, cook food, and do some housework. On the Victory Day, we visited and congratulated him. We listened to stories about the war: they were very scary, but interesting.
Since then, I have been living an active volunteer life. I hold quests, quizzes, games, homeroom hours. I go to foster homes, organize the Gifts for Children campaigns, participate in concerts, help homeless animals and animals in shelters, dress up as Snegurochka and visit families of children with disabilities before the New Year’s celebrations. Besides, together with my friend, we have created an Anti-bullying club, where we teach children how to behave in a group. Helping others is not difficult, but very important.
Sometimes the work is difficult. For example, when I come to children who are seriously ill. I really want them to feel that they are not alone.
At home, I have a teddy bear, which a boy at the oncology center gave me once. He just walked over and said, "Thank you! Come again," and handed me this toy. And I keep it. It was probably the most touching "thank you" in my life.
Once, after one of the meetings, we learned that the boy we played with the day before was no longer alive. He was the quietest one, he did not want to do anything, although he was glad to get gifts. I was returning home from the volunteer meeting, where they told us the news about the boy and I was crying.
I often get this question: "What is the point of helping others without getting anything in return?" It is difficult to explain to people who ask this question about whole-hearted help and about the fact that we, people, really need each other. That volunteering is love.
U-platform
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 volcenterby@gmail.com.
