How Volunteering Have Changed My Life

I was a freshman, in my second week of college, when I enrolled in this elite club in my university known as Rotaract. 

   I was young with barely any experience in volunteering except some events organized by my high school from time to time, and once in college I saw all these older students, who seemed to me like the gods of uni, having their life figured out, spreading positivity, talking confidently, discussing big, important and life changing ideas and wanting to improve this world and make it a better place. 

I was so impressed and fascinated that I wanted to be part of that elite team - so desperately. 

   After filling an application form, I was so intrigued by this club that I spent the week before the interview doing researches, trying to learn as much as possible so that I would have a knowledge about the topic and their needs. 

Needless to say, that the interview was a huge win; I impressed them. I spent almost 30 minutes with them, talking about my passion for writing, for social media and everything else. I was even called someone who knows how to talk and convince people and that the club needed me, my energy and my fresh thinking. 

Hearing these words coming from those people that I admired : I was thrilled ! 

    So once in the club I took my role very seriously, attending every meeting, being on time, helping out with all the events, participating in every single activity that has the name of Rotaract on it.

I was living my best life while giving a true meaning to my existence, helping people and creating joy in their lives, made me feel better about myself, more confident in a way. I was fulfilled. And I’ll never forget a Swedish proverb that a member used to say and how clearly it made sense to me :

''A shared joy is a double joy, a shared sorrow is a half sorrow.''

Winter came quickly, bringing with him the biggest event of the year : The humanitarian and medical caravan. 

It was THE event, the one we've been raising funds for, for months, in order to make it happen ; throwing charity galas, collecting money and supplies at supermarkets, organizing karaoke nights, asking people for clothes and contributions on social media and establishing workshops for kids at the malls, explaining to parents the importance of donation - while keeping it classy and professional.

We headed to a small village, in the middle of the snowy mountains while the temperature was at its lowest. Due to some road issues, our bus couldn't come up to the top of the mountain, so we had to carry our bags and walk. We walked in the dark and freezing cold at 3 am in the morning for a long distance, a distance which at the time seemed infinite.

but we kept going keeping in our minds our ultimate goal and with our hearts full of love, joking and laughing all the way up to the summit.

   When we arrived to the summit of the mountain in the early morning, the view was breathtaking and the people of the village greeted us with the biggest bonfire I’ve ever saw and the warmest blankets. Serving us all sorts of local dishes in massive quantities, we were blown away by their generosity and hospitality. They have welcomed us in their homes, sharing with us their story and inspiring us. The joy in their hearts was immeasurable and contagious. 

   I’m still touched by their love for life and simplicity, regardless the fact that they live in harsh conditions with no access to drinkable water and a bitter cold.

So, we tried to make the most out of this trip and leave a real impact. We renewed their local school thanks to the generous donations we brought- painting the walls, replacing the inexistent doors and tables, setting up a small library, planting a garden near the school, finishing the construction of the teacher’s home and bringing more life to it with furniture and decorations, playing with kids and reading to them trying to open their eyes on a bigger and brighter future and most importantly, providing to them access to medicine and free consultations- thanks to the med students who accompanied us, most of the villagers have never set a foot in a hospital due to the distance.

   We were in a magical place where everything was pretty and pure. And I was amazed by the wild nature, the several falls and the huge old trees creating mazes.  

Our trip was a big success, to the point where once the weekend was over, all the local media talked about it and our club couldn’t be prouder.

    In this journey I have met the most amazing, pure-hearted people on earth. People who taught me how to value small things in life, and that we -as a community- had an impact on this world, we -some random college student- are making this world a better place. 

I learned that something as trivial as a smile can brighten someone day. I learned that you don't have to be in class to learn new stuff, that the world out there is your best teacher. And most importantly, I learned that being part of a community empowers you as an individual. 

So to all the amazing people out there reading this article, do good today, try to make an impact. Smile to someone on the streets, help an old lady with her groceries, enroll in a volunteering club because I assure you that helping people and making their life better is the best feeling in the world. Let's give a meaning to our short existence, leaving a trace in this world because it would be the only witness of our existence after us. 

So go out there, do good and be kind !