"Volunteers do not necessarily have the time. They just have the heart."
-Elizabeth Andrew, writer
I never thought that I would find new friends in this new world (volunteer's world) that I have entered few months ago.
The very first time that I tried being a volunteer was way back last March. I took all the courage to be there alone on a Saturday morning. Upon reaching the meeting place, I was nervous even though there has no reasons to. It was only Ms. Nina whom I talked to. She's one of the core members of 2KK org and is assigned in the recruitment of new volunteers.
To tell you honestly, I'm a bit shy upon meeting new people and some may even misinterpret me. They would think that I am snob and hard to approach.
I just tend to be silent. I prefer to just have a sole moment with my mp3 player rather than talking with this new people at my front. During the activity which was storytelling and art making with the kids in Payatas, it was just with AA- the kid I am handling I was talking to. I enjoyed exchanging stories with her and I found a new friend with this ten year old girl.
The second time I entered this "world", I made sure that I would be with a friend. So here comes Cecil, my former college classmate. Together we joined Project Pearls Org on a Sunday morning. She's more talkative than I. She used to talk with the other volunteers while I chose to be silent and it was only her whom I was talking to.
I found JOY on being a volunteer so I made sure that I would do this again whenever I have the opportunity. So the following week, I came back again in Tondo, Manila even though Cecil couldn't make it this time. I will be alone this time but I don't care anymore because it was the kids that I am thinking and wanting to see. I want to be with them again, I want to teach them again, I want to hear their life stories again. There's a strong urge inside of me saying that these less fortunate kids of Helping Land Tondo, Manila need someone like me. Someone that they can depend on and learn something new. Regardless of being a slight introvert person, I still joined Project Pearls all by myself just with this thought.
Then eventually, it just became a weekly habbit for me. Wether to go there with or without friends, I don't care anymore. My Sunday mornings are to be with these kids.
Just recently, those volunteers like me who tend to go back almost succeedingly every Sundays, we became close. We add each other on facebook and instagram then used to have small chit chats, having lunch together after the activities, then I may say now that I already gained new friends with my the same passion! And that passion is none other than volunteerism.
People come and go on our lives. It's a hard reality and we can't do anything about it but just to accept that fact. All we could do is just to cherish every moment that we are with them and make the best memories out of it.
I'm so thankful of this "new world" that I entered and I just do hope that I will gain more new friends. Every week, I am now more excited to attend this org because at the back of my mind there's always a thought that I shouldn't be afraid of meeting new people that I can eventually befriended with. And it was really fun knowing people who wanted to help and share their time and effort with the kids just like me. They may come and go but still a big thanks to them because they let me be a part of their lives.
A big thanks to these people and a bigger thanks to those who will stay longer. Be one of us because personally, I found an unexplainable joy on being a volunteer. Gaining new friends was only a bonus. :) Let's serve our God through helping those in need.
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