What is volunteering and how does it differ to charity?

               A volunteer is someone who decides out of their own free will to actively participate in a cause that they believe in with the hope of improving the situation and help reach the aim of the cause or organisation.  

One can be a ‘free-lance’ volunteer by dedicating some of their time or resources for one or more voluntary organisatons without necessarily forming part of any organisation. For example one can be a volunteer at events organised by NGO’S, non-profit organisations or voluntary organisations. 

One can also be part of an organisation including the committee, group or community. This usually involves more commitment then the above and when one joins an organisation it is usually required and beneficial to believe in the mission statement of the group as one becomes a representative of that organisation.

Each volunteer can decide to dedicate whatever amount of time they have or any of their resources such as talents, knowledge, etc. 

               The difference between volunteering and charity is that volunteers actively participate in the organisations efforts to reach their aim of whatever cause they work on. Whilst charity is about donating money, tools, food, etc to an organisation without hands on experience. On the hand volunteers donate their time and raise money through various fundraising activities. Whilst a donor might not know exactly where the money is going and in some cases might have secondary reasons why to sponsor certain activities such as companies to create a positive image. The volunteer has lived and experienced the problems of the cause they work with and therefore can create awareness. It is important to note that most volunteers wouldn’t be able to proceed helping the causes they support if it weren’t for the generosity of donors and therefore they compliment each other. 

There are different types of people and different types of volunteers too but many volunteers will tell you that volunteering is a way of life. Through volunteering one gains experience, education and knowledge and therefore also gains from their voluntary experience. Volunteering also produces more socially conscious people. It forms communities and creates a sense of belonging, aim and motivation in life. It empowers people and gives them self worth. It also encourages people to aim and achieve more and brings out leadership qualities which will help in any work place and society in general. 

Volunteering is therefore very beneficial not only for society as it accounts for a large part of the working society which is not accounted for but also for the volunteer. A volunteer is therefore considered to have those special qualities which unites volunteers from all over the world.  I personally believe that everybody should try a volunteering experience, be it for a day or a longer period. It is entering a different world where one puts others before him/herself and can also experience the beauty of simplicity.