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Volunteering experiences have the peculiarity of generating benefits for both the actors and the receivers. People that often participate in corporate volunteering activities recognize that, this type of deeds, have generated important changes in the way they react to and perceive different situations in life. Why is that so?
Because they start to realize how lucky they are for having health, employment, education, family, a house, clothing, friends and optimal life conditions. They become more sensible and learn to relate through empathy, through deep comprehension of other people's reality and they understand the value of sharing care, knowledge, things or even just their time, with others. They understand that listening, supporting and consoling are also important and that they can be actions that transform or save a life.
Though organizations don't force employees to participate in corporate volunteering initiatives, we know that those who do are bound to perceive some changes like:
- Overall motivation.
- Social sensibility.
- Emotional connection.
- Happiness.
- Calmness.
- Gratefulness.
- Better relationships with their coworkers.
- Changes in their perspective on life.
"Volunteering helped me be more empathetic and a better leader"
This claim was made by Oihana Trojaola, an expert on the subject of special education with 29 years of experience in volunteer work. A fan of long walks and photography, Oihana shared with us what these experiences have meant for her personal and professional growth.
What has volunteering provided for your life at a personal and professional level?
I started doing volunteer work when I was in school, so I've been participating in these kinds of activities for 29 years. I like helping, meeting people, widening my circle of friends, learning from others, exchanging ideas, discovering new places and contributing to society with my grain of sand. I believe that in order to receive one must give without expecting anything in return, that's how you learn.
What type of volunteer work have you done?
My experiences being a volunteer have been associated with covering necessities of communities with which I've surrounded myself on personal or working levels, of my professional interests or my hobbies. Most have been multilingual and multicultural activities like: supporting community events, collaborating with people in extreme poverty, humanitarian aid in emergencies, keeping company to lonely elderly people, among other things.
What's been the volunteering experience that has most impacted your life?
Each one has marked my life in a different way. If I had to choose one it would be the Camino de Santiago because through the support that was given by the Asociación del Camino de Santiago, as a volunteer in the Pilgrim's Office, organizing activities in the Acogida Cristiana en el Camino, collaborating with the pilgrims while I take on the journey or through social media, I've managed to fuse all of my interests in volunteering matters.
What would you say to people who've never had any of these types of experiences and that don't consider them a priority?
That sometimes you must live through things in order to understand them. I'd tell them that volunteering can be a very demanding and, at the same time, very gratifying experience. That, thanks to those experiences, I've learned to be more sociable, to gain more contacts, to work in a team, to gain friendships, to be more empathetic and, without a doubt, to be a better leader. I'd invite them to get motivated and help their fellow men.
If you want to learn more about Oihana Trojaola's experiences, you can follow her on Instragram: @otcamino.
Have you ever had the opportunity to participate in these types of activities? Would you like to do it? If there's no program like this in your company, remember that there are many NGOs that have volunteering activities you can join. We recommend selecting an area of your interest and where you feel comfortable helping and sharing with others.
