There is a "U" in Volunteer!

It will be a month since I last wrote...it has been hectic I have travelled to 5 countries and met people from all corners of the world. I had my beliefs challenged, and I was inspired...this is the first part of what I have been through these past few weeks.

UN Campus, Bonn Germany
Thanks to Steisianasari Mileiva

I went on a UNVolunteers Programme Officers training in Bonn, Germany. I had 10 days of 8-18:00, being taught all that needs to be taught about being a PO for the UNV. The best parts for me was meeting my fellow UNV POs, they were from all over the world working all over the world (if that makes sense). There were French, Canadian, Italian, Moldavian, Japanese, Filipino working in Haiti, Jordan/Swaziland, Laos, Indonesia, Philippines/Samoa, and Thailand (respectively) and these are just to name the few...there were people I loved and people that I didn't like. But it was just amazing to feel that I was part of this community of people, who know what I am going through, what it feels like to be in this schizophrenic assignment that and to know the pleasure of being a volunteer.


I got to meet the people in Headquarters, the people that sometimes feel so distant yet are our backup-are back bone...and us out there on the front lines, dealing with the volunteers, with other UN agencies...what a team. I meant my Portfolio Manager-and we found a language to speak that we both understood, that made communication that is going to be vital between us easier.


But the highlight for me was falling in love with Volunteerism. I have volunteered before, I chose to be part of the UNVs for a reason, but I think being part of the UN system sometimes makes you forget what a great thing being a volunteer is. At this time in my career I felt that the way that I could truly contribute to Development in general and more specifically for the development of the region that is my home, was for me to use the skills I have honed throughout these years as a volunteer.


Volunteering for me is an opportunity and an asset for development, it’s a resource that can address the many issues we face in the Arab region and Globally. It’s a way to engage with the local community, to listen to them, and to harness the power that lies in the grassroots. For me there is a beauty in volunteerism as it is an expression of people’s willingness and capacity to freely help others and improve their society. 


I believe that we all need to give a bit of ourselves to the societies we are in, it helps with our feeling of belonging, there is something pure about giving a bit of yourself without thinking to much about what you are going to get in return. Not thinking about it doesn't mean that we don't get something back,  Volunteerism helps to make this a more mutual and reciprocal world. 


I know I am sounding preachy and I don't mean to, but I think everyone should look into themselves and see in what ways they can work to bring love and justice to and in their communities. 


Good Day and Good Luck