Even if you have never consciously engaged in charity, you were most likely still a part of some charity project anyway. In today’s world — at least in its prosperous parts — it is almost impossible to stay away from charity. Most often it is, of course, donations. It doesn’t matter if you donate regularly or ad hoc, giving in to emotions, responding to some unfavorable event, an article read or a documentary watched. You have donated to charity at least once. Donating to charity regularly for many of us is already part of the culture.

Despite the fact that the importance of regular donations cannot be overestimated — because, for the most part, it is this money that gives life to charitable projects — of course, volunteer work is valued much higher in the eyes of the public. At least because it requires you to give your most important resource: time, as well as emotional involvement.

My volunteer work was a rather spontaneous decision — and I learned my lessons from it too — and it happened almost ten years ago. I am sure that during this time there have been significant changes in many charitable structures. Still, I think it is important to share the experience that I have gained. I will be glad to know that what surprised me negatively gradually changes (and it is so), and to express a little personal opinion about that year which I spent on volunteer work.

So what is the main lesson I learned from this annual experience? I learned about myself that despite my initial doubts, my experience and knowledge can be useful and change someone’s life. And the most important thing I have learned about charity: the more time, effort, and training organizations invest in their volunteers, the better the system works. My personal vision of this problem is that now it seems to me that charity is the area where the number of paid jobs should grow for the system to bring better results.

Read the full article about volunteering by Dr. Maria Stern at Medium.