|
 Volunteer stories
|
Emily Haddow
|
Volunteering with Ucan2 for three months
|
|  | Tell us a little bit about yourself.
|
| I’m 23 years old and have been living in Australia for 12 months, having moved here from England. I am a massive foodie and currently manage a café in the city, which is great because I get wonderful free food and spend time amongst the buzz of the CBD. I am also a keen runner and have so far completed two Half Marathons and the last Melbourne Full Marathon.
|
| In what way do you volunteer?
|
| I help out at an English Language School, supporting and mentoring young refugees. As just one of a team of volunteers, often my role requires no more than a friendly chat and a smile but the kids really appreciate us being there. Our aim is to ease the transition into Australian life by acting as role models, and sharing our experiences of juggling the demands of school, work and a healthy social life!
|
|
|
|
|
What do you get out of volunteering?
|
| Volunteering with the young refugees has really challenged my personal perceptions and has widened my world knowledge. It’s great to be around so many different cultures and to learn different approaches to life. I was also surprised and deeply moved by the enjoyment and positivity each of the students brings to class….it’s certainly taught me to be a little more grateful in life!
|
| What’s the biggest challenge you face when volunteering?
|
| Despite the obvious language barriers, I would say the biggest challenge was overcoming my own stereotypes. It’s easy to carry preconceptions with you when working in an area like asylum, but being faced by the human tales behind the media stories was both revealing and rewarding!
|
| Why should other people volunteer?
|
| Volunteering is an emotional rewarding and personally enriching experience. Not only does it provide help to those most in need, it also enables you to put your own life into perspective and helps you to see the bigger picture.
|
|
|
|
back to top
|
|
|
David Chan
|
Volunteering with Thomastown Primary School's homework club for ten months
|
| | Tell us a little bit about yourself.
|
| Hi! I am currently studying to become a Primary School teacher and learning to teach kids is so much fun! I can speak five different languages, love playing my acoustic guitar and enjoy watching Japanese animations.
|
| Tell us about the homework club and about your involvement as a volunteer.
|
| My homework club session is held once a week, where primary school students from grades 5 and 6 gather to seek assistance in their homework tasks, complete projects or unfinished class activities. My involvement as a volunteer includes helping the students with their homework, their English literacy focussing on reading and writing and also Mathematics.
|
|
|
|
|
What do you get out of volunteering?
|
| Volunteering has given me the opportunity to meet people that do the same thing that I do, build friendships and experiences and the BEST thing about volunteering is the 'feel good' feeling . It is that feeling that motivates me to help out in the school every week. The appreciation and a sense of gratitude from the people that I have helped really put an impact in my life.
|
| What’s the biggest challenge you face when volunteering?
|
| The biggest challenge is not having enough volunteers to help everyone. The homework club has around 15 students each week and an average of five volunteers every time. Given the nature of homework assistance a one-to-one basis approach, there are insufficient teachers or helpers to help every kid in class. Students who felt like they are not given the proper educational guidance can easily lose their interest to study, which is something that we are all trying to avoid.
|
| Can you tell us about your most rewarding moment?
|
| I remember that one of my students giving me a ‘thank you’ card at the end of the semester. It was the most rewarding moment, to be given the recognition of my effort in the simplest of all forms.
|
| What tips would you give to a new volunteer tutor just starting out?
|
| My tip is to look at volunteering as something fun to do. And when you are having fun, you can never stop doing it!
|
| Why should other people volunteer?
|
| I am sure that there are times when we selfishly ask ourselves why we need to volunteer. "What’s in it for me?" or "Why am I doing this for free?" The things that we do, the help that we give, the burden that we ease are so much more valuable to others...and 'that' is what money cannot buy.
|
|
|
|
back to top
|
|
|
Rosemary Chappel
|
Volunteering as an Independent Person with YRIPP since 2007
|
| | Tell us a little bit about yourself.
|
| I am a school counsellor and legal studies teacher. I live in the inner-east, and used to volunteer with CareRing and Vision Australia.
|
| Why did you become involved with YRIPP?
|
| It was a perfect fit for my work life; has flexible hours; its the most enjoyable volunteer work I have done.
|
| What do you get out of volunteering?
|
| Each young person is different, and there's always the chance that you might be the link that gets the young person back on track and out of the justice system. It's nice when the young person appreciates the support you provide.
|
|
|
|
|
What’s the biggest challenge you face when volunteering?
|
| Mid-winter, 3am, leaving my cozy bed for a freezing car, or maybe facing getting to the city along with 70,000 footy fans on their way to the MCG.
|
| Describe your most difficult callout.
|
| I felt so sad after one callout, helping a young person of non-English speaking background. Nothing seemed to be going in favour of the young person - poverty, lack of home, lack of supports, difficulty in education, traumatic background. I could see how this young person had fallen into a gang where there was support and encouragement, and a feeling of belonging. The young person accepted a referral to education, but I suspect this was more out of politeness than a genuine desire - for despite all the young person had been through, there was nothing by politeness and courtesy towards me.
|
| Why should other people volunteer?
|
| YRIPP is a unique and fascinating program, in which you can learn a lot as well as help others.
|
| | Apart from world peace... what about guaranteed funding for YRIPP!
|
|
|
|
back to top
|
