Volunteering is a way to help someone else in a less privileged situation, but it also gives you a feeling of fulfillment and happiness, which is not very easy to achieve with other activities.

    The truth is that, even though many people want to volunteer, it is not always possible because they cannot find the institutions where they can do it, due to fear or lack of information. On every occasion, volunteers must have attitude, assertiveness, and, above all, a lot of empathy.

    Here are 5 tips for volunteering and to encourage people who have the intention, but don't take that last step to act:

1. Choosing the institution you will volunteer in is the most important.

    First, you must evaluate yourself and consider the skills you can offer the institution in which you want to collaborate. In case you like organizations that help children, consider whether you want to be in the recreational area or as a caregiver, for which tact, understanding, fun, and projection of happiness with children are extremely important. They were born in difficult and different conditions, but that does not mean their future should be determined by that, and it is the responsibility of everyone around them to let them know they are not alone.

    On the other hand, if you prefer organizations that help the elderly, you must have well-developed patience and tolerance. Many elderly people may be sick, need medicine and company. Volunteering is based on giving them a unique experience. Without forgetting that sometimes, the elderly may have had a bad day and not be in a good mood, but that should not affect the volunteer, but motivate him to treat them better and be patient with them.

    Finally, during the choice of the organization you should also study and get to know it: check its legitimacy, learn about its programs, its past achievements, its failures, how you could help, what they are missing. In this way, you will not only have a personal purpose, but you will also join a group of people who are looking for the same thing: to help those who need it, and you will be much more motivated to work as a team.

2. Be prepared before you go

    When you get to know about the organization, it is very important the culture, the number of people you will help, what activities you will do, and be prepared for them. If you will help in the stock area, make sure you have organizational tools, where to write, keep accounts, etc. If you are more interested in direct contact with the people in the organization, prepare recreational activities according to their age and situation, and always make sure you have the resources on hand.

3. Inspire confidence in what you do

    These types of institutions usually have small budgets and staff, so volunteers are helpful. However, it is also very delicate for them to include strangers that will have direct contact with the sector of the population they support.

    For this reason, it is very important, especially at the beginning, but also throughout the volunteering, to be transparent and very committed to all assigned activities. After taking on a responsibility, we recommend that you always try to fulfill it or let the staff know in advance if you have any inconvenience and cannot perform it. Always remember that, by being a volunteer, this institution is giving you an important part of them, and they count on that to continue functioning and helping others.

4. Be respectful in every situation

    We know that, in all kinds of situations, dealing with strangers or giving instructions to others can be a hard task. There may be times when you feel offended, have a different point of view on how certain tasks should be done, see that much remains to be done, or feel frustrated because you don't see progress.

    This is completely normal and if you are a person who can convey your ideas while maintaining respect and a respectful attitude, your observations will be welcome everywhere. We recommend that you always keep in mind the reason you started. No one said that volunteering would be easy, but we can assure you that it is completely worth it.

5. Always have a plan B

    Improvising is a fundamental part of volunteering. There will be times when things don't go as planned. You must remember that perfectionism is good until a certain limit and that sometimes are not up to you, so you cannot control them. An aid organization has many ups and downs, sometimes you will receive many donations, organize events, and admit more people to help. But you also must be ready for the times when this is not the case.

    For example, these types of institutions took an enormous shock during 2020, because of the COVID-19 pandemic. What kept them afloat were the volunteers, many of them doctors, who took the risk of going out and help those most in need, usually the elderly, even if it meant that they became infected. This is a rare situation, and it is no one's fault, so you should always stay calm and cool-headed, know how you can help, and have the intentions to do so.

    As mentioned before, being a volunteer will give you many challenges, but it is a social activity that will make you grow as a person and, besides benefiting you on a personal level, it will also make a positive impact on those around you. Always remember what the writer and philosopher Eduardo Galeano said: "Many small people, in small places, doing small things, can change the world".

    We invite you to know about our volunteer programs. We assure you will have an extremely enriching experience, but above all that you will generate a change in our society.