National Volunteer Month

December is National Volunteer Month. Indeed, the contributions of many volunteers to uplift the condition of our disadvantaged sectors deserve recognition. These are the people who do not count the cost, are moved by a strong spirit and motivation to help improve society and who believe they can, in their own small ways, make the world a better place to live in.

In the Philippines, organized volunteer service began with the creation of the Philippine National Volunteer Committee (PNVC) in December 1964 when the government realized that volunteerism is a potential tool to catalyze economic development. The spirit of volunteerism is found strongest among Filipinos, who as a race, is ingrained with the values of bayanihan and pagmamalasakit sa kapwa and the concept of kapamilya.

Thus in many parts of the world, Filipino volunteers make outstanding contributions. Since the country first joined the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) in 1972, it has constantly been one of the largest suppliers of volunteers. Filipinos also are recognized for having strong mobilization skills needed in meaningful and sustainable development work. Currently, about 300 Filipino International UNVs are deployed abroad, mainly to peacekeeping operations and other UN supported activities. Many work as field workers in rural areas helping in the promotion of self-reliance in the grassroots level. Volunteers came to be as they rise up to challenges that arise, thus we read of volunteers against crime and corruption, environment preservation, keeping health, safety and peace.

Among volunteer groups that caught my attention for the work they do is The Jesuit Volunteers Philippines (JVP) Foundation, Inc. It is one of the organized groups of volunteers which recruits college and university graduates and professionals to serve in poor rural schools, parishes and non-government organizations in areas like Samar, Mindoro, Bukidnon and other marginalized provinces in the country. At the same time, these volunteers live out the core values of spirituality, simplicity, service, solidarity and social justice. Another volunteer group, Habitat for Humanity (HFH) International mobilizes volunteers also from colleges and universities as well as from private companies doing CSR (corporate social responsibility) to help poor and needy families build their own homes. HFH has completed a total of 18,260 houses to date for more than 4,000 families. It also builds schools and community centers in cooperation with other organizations with the aim of transforming lives beyond shelter. 

With volunteers from abroad, the US Peace Corps Volunteers in the Philippines have also contributed significantly in the areas of education, youth development, environment and business. Key areas of education address emerging issues like reproductive health, HIV/AIDS awareness, information technology and skills training. Since 1961, more than 8,000 volunteers have served in our country. The volunteer group was begun by the late Senator John F. Kennedy when he challenged university students to serve their country in the cause of peace by living and working in developing countries. This way, they have promoted peace and friendship throughout the world. I hope to honor volunteers with these quotations:

“The human contribution is the essential ingredient. It is only in the giving of oneself to others that we truly live.” — Ethel Percy Andrus

“In order to motivate others, you must first become a source of motivation by yourself. It simply means that if you want to get anything done through others, you must first do it yourself.” — Hazrat Ilyas Attar Qadri

“A volunteer is a person whose charity is fidelity, who is faithful in an unfaithful world, grateful in an ungrateful world, giving when all about are grasping, listening when others need to tell about their fears and problems.” — from The Beacon, newsletter of Birthrite, South Africa

“When you volunteer it means you give yourself without any regression, without condition, but with full devotion...” — Faith Tomaquin

“Volunteers are seldom paid; not because they are worthless, but because they are PRICELESS!” — author unknown

“A volunteer is a person who remembers to do the thing to make other people happy, who takes the loneliness out of the alone by talking to them, who is concerned when others are unconcerned, who has the courage to be a prophet and to say the things that have to be said for the good of all.” — author unknown

“I don’t know who — or what — put the question. I don’t even remember answering. But as some moment I did answer YES to someone — or something — and from that hour I was certain that existence is meaningful and that, therefore, my life, in surrender, had a goal. — Dag Hammarskjold

“Unselfish and noble actions are the most radiant pages in the biography of souls.” — David Thomas

“Volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they just have the heart.” — Elizabeth Andrew

“I’ve seen and met angels wearing the disguise of ordinary people living ordinary lives.” —Tracy Chapman

“Those who can, do. Those who can do more, volunteer.” — author unknown

“You may not have saved a lot of money in your life, but if you have saved a lot of heartaches for other folks, you are a pretty rich person.” — Seth Parker

Many more organizations and individuals deserve recognition for their selflessness and invaluable contribution to needy people. Silently, they make the agonies of life less difficult and more bearable. They are like beacons of hope and make the world a brighter place to live in. May their tribe increase a thousand fold!