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What’s not to love about a group of people who choose to spend their time helping others? National Volunteer Week 2014 started April 6th and is coming to a close. We wanted to give a shout out to all the amazing people that take action and work together to make a difference all while asking nothing in return. Give yourself a pat on the back from GoAbroad; you make the world a better place.
1. They make the little things count!
Volunteers make areas cleaner and safer by doing tasks no one notices until they’re a problem, like mending fences and picking up trash.
2. They teach people to take care of themselves and their homes!
People donate time to spread awareness, do medical testing, and teach about safety.
3. They fill the gaps!
They give time and energy to complete tasks that no one else wants to do or has time for. An orphanage may have five full time staff, but no one has time to fix broken playground equipment or spend the afternoon reading to a child.
4. They make people realize their self worth!
Volunteers reach out to those that have been left behind. They spend Saturday mornings in soup kitchens and Friday nights in rehabilitation facilities giving hope and direction to people who had none.
5. They foster success!
There are many small organizations with big hearts that simply can’t afford to pay for all the work they want to do. Without volunteers, many projects would never leave the ground.
6. They provide critical services locally and abroad!
From fighting fires, to helping a child with their homework, to cleaning elephant stalls, volunteers
7. They save lives!
Volunteers fly around the world or run next door to do what is needed whenever it is needed. They make areas safe after natural disasters, provide emergency support, and deliver vital goods like water and bandages when no one else can.
8. They make animals happy and healthy!
Thousands of animals are abandoned each year and millions spend most of their lives in shelters. Volunteers walk and bath them and most importantly give them love. They help find them homes and remove them from violent situations.
9. They make dreams come true!
Volunteers are a talented bunch that love to help other people realize their potential. Maybe it’s tutoring math, coaching a soccer team, or giving violin lessons, but people develop skills because of volunteers.
10. They give people a home!
Many community development organizations rely heavily on the working hands of volunteers to build houses and create clean water systems.
11. They make art possible!
Programs and time allotted for this area has become more and more scarce, yet volunteers continue to make it possible. They teach people how to paint, sculpt, and hone their skills.
12. The make everyday society function!
Imagine for a second if no volunteers showed up to their posts for a week. What would our streets and parks look like? What would the kids at bible and summer camps do? How many afterschool programs and shelters would shut down? Let’s hope this never happens.
We appreciate all you do volunteers around the world!
Want to become one of the millions that make so much of a difference? Check five awesome programs that can get you started.
- Inca Project In Cusco, Peru with Projects Abroad – Work in Archeology and learn about the Incan Civilization
- Volunteer In Childcare In South Africa – Provide care and education for children in Cape Town, South Africa
- Costa Rica Turtle Conservation – Help endangered sea turtle populations in a tropical national park
- Volunteer Abroad in Tanzania – Work alongside locals in Community Development at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro
- Amazing Summer Volunteer Program – Bangkok, Thailand – Spend a summer helping with Natural Disaster Relief