VOICE Network

by Nathaniel George Hipolito (volunteer writer)

Would you leave a lucrative career as a lawyer, and anurse to serve in Mindoro? How could a leadership and academic awardee choosevolunteering over a possible corporate career to work with the Igorot inBaguio? Would you be willing to be assigned in Negros Occidental, Bukidnon orLanao del Sur, and speak a new language? Who would dare to take this leap offaith?

Apparently, there still are people who defy logic andleave comfort zones, successful careers to lend voices for the marginalized.Their choice is to take on a life-changing journey. Volunteers are proof thateven in these times where the youth are oftentimes seen as apathetic, even intough times, young people dare and speak of hope through serving.

For a few months to a full year, young people apply andget accepted to volunteer service programs in the country to immerse themselvesin a new language, new culture and new environment, all to bring positivechange.

The Associate Missionaries of the Assumption (AMA),Jesuit Volunteers Philippines (JVP), Miriam Volunteer Mission (MVM) and theYear of Service (YOS)  are sending a new batch of volunteers for thisschool year. These volunteer sending organizations recruit, train and fieldvolunteers to schools, parishes and rural organizations. Volunteers work withdisadvantaged and marginalized communities who lack human resources. YOS issending its 16th batch of volunteers to work in organizations in the Visayasand Mindanao mostly in the field of agriculture and education. Working withMaryknoll Mission areas, the handicapped and rural organizations, MVM issending its 6th batch of volunteers. AMA is sending its 25th batch ofvolunteers, some to work in parishes. And JVP, founded in 1979, is missioningits 30th batch of volunteers to render faith-driven volunteer service fromIlocos Sur to South Cotabato.

The volunteers that AMA, JVP, MVM and YOS send serve asteachers, trainers, researchers, parish workers, and community or youthorganizers. Because of the lack of human resources in the areas where they aresent, volunteers often assume more than one role. With a modest allowance, theylive in simplicity and in solidarity with the community they are in. Workingside by side with indigenous peoples and non-government organizations, thevolunteers share their knowledge, skills and talent to promote positive changein their areas of assignment.

The four volunteer sending organizations have, over thesummer months prepared the volunteers for service. Skills training, orientation,and immersion are just some of the preparations volunteers went through. Therespective program officers and staff, along with the former volunteers are keyplayers in these weeks and months of preparation. Those who have been throughthe volunteer service program now actively support the current batch ofvolunteers. The "alumni" of these volunteer service programs speakabout how volunteering has changed their lives and passing on the culture,tradition and eventually inspiring the volunteers in their desire to make apositive difference.

As they have heard from former volunteers, the months toa year in their areas is definitely not a walk in the park, nor a vacation.Motivated by the desire to serve and give, volunteers realize that there ismuch work to be done, goals to be achieved and change to look forward to.Volunteers who are placed in new environments oftentimes have stories ofanxiety, fear and frustration. Rural students may learn slower than their urbancounterparts. People's organization members may lack unity and may lackdirection in their programs. The organizations may not have enough capacity fortheir programs. All these need the volunteers creativity, perseverance andresourcefulness -but through their respective volunteer sending and hostcommunities, hopefully these shall be turned into joy, fulfillment and meaning.

AMA, JVP, MVM and YOS continually support to theirvolunteers throughout the year through various skills enhancement seminars andsessions. Personal support is also ensured through area visits, and regularcommunication between program officers and volunteers. These organizations havealso devised programs to respond to the needs of the volunteers' families,recognizing their key role in a volunteer year's success.

These young people mayhave come from different provinces in the country. They may speak differentlanguages. Some have professional experiences and some are just out of college.They may have various motivations in joining the volunteer service programs theyhave chosen, but a common thread runs through all these. Their desire to serve,give and offer their skills for the communities that need them most is the onething spoken loud, clear and hopefully, understood.

We're encouragingvolunteer organizations to send volunteer articles at voicenational@yahoo.com