International Volunteer Day – Significance, Theme & Benefits of Volunteering

December 5 is celebrated across the world as International Volunteer Day, and as global citizens, it is our responsibility to do our bit, for a better future.

“Remember that the happiest people are not those getting more, but those giving more.” ― H. Jackson Brown Jr.

The United Nations has marked December 5 as International Volunteer Day in order to recognize and promote the tireless efforts and time provided by volunteers across the world.

Significance of International Volunteer Day:

To put it as the United Nations Volunteer Programs describe: “Every day, volunteers come together from different walks of life, offering their valuable resources to ensure the inclusion of the underprivileged ones who are often left behind, drive climate-change actions and advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).”

The act of volunteering is found in all cultures, languages, and religions. Each year, hundreds of millions of people volunteer their time and skills to help make the world a better place.

When they volunteer, they help to improve the lives of others. And when they volunteer, they also gain a greater sense of belonging to their communities.

International Volunteer Day Theme: Volunteer now for our common future.

It’s only when people across the globe are encouraged to be a part of solving problems, intense and alarming issues are sorted easily with solutions that are feasible & long-lasting.

Being a volunteer, one has the power to get associated with the communities, helping them to build a better future – for one and all. 

For our next generations, it is our responsibility to create a better world and volunteerism is an important way of asking people to come together and create a more equal as well as inclusive future.

Benefits of Volunteering:

“The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention.”  – Oscar Wilde.

The act of volunteering is incredible, offering benefits to both the giver and the receiver. Yeah, it’s like a double-sided coin providing a Win-Win situation for everyone involved. I’ve been lucky enough to have volunteered with little kids during my month-long journey in Kenya and absolutely loved my experience.

Here are the benefits of volunteering that you must know about:

1. Meet new people and create long-lasting bonds. 

Not only do you get to associate with the ones you’re helping, but being a part of a team of enthusiastic volunteers with a common goal, you get to form bonds with strangers that can be life-changing.

2. Fell the joy of serving unconditionally.

There’s an immense sense of satisfaction and joy in doing something for someone without expecting anything back in return. When you join a volunteering endeavor, you know there’s nothing you’d get back – but what you actually receive would be unconditional love and blessings.

3. Help you to gain a sense of purpose and become happier.

Volunteering for a social cause will not only enrich your life but it’ll also give you a broader purpose and boost your motivation levels. There will be a sense of sheer happiness to help others and that’ll eventually change the way you look at life.

4. Helps in developing emotional stability.

When you set out for something as big as volunteering, your stress levels would start reducing as your mind will always be busy finding solutions to the problems of others. It has been observed that people with PTSD (Post-traumatic stress disorder), OCD (Obsessive-compulsive disorder), depression and anger issues started feeling better once they engaged in themselves with volunteer services.

5. Gives you an opportunity to travel.

Of late, people across the world have been getting associated with international volunteer programs abroad – like turtle conservation in Costa Rica, education programs in African countries, marine conservation programs in Australia, etc. Hence, if you wish, you can just head off to your favorite destination and get engaged in some meaningful service there.

6. Helps in learning new skills.

Whether you are preparing meals at a food bank or building houses – chances are that your volunteer work will push you to learn new skills, and hone your existing ones. It’ll also enhance your time management skills as well as problem-solving capabilities.

7. Provides better job opportunities.

It has been seen that people who are more civic-minded and socially aware are more likely to become an asset in the workplace. Hence, if you have a volunteering experience, you might just stand out of the crowd!

8. Make a difference.

Last but not the least, volunteering can have a real and valuable positive effect on underprivileged people, backward communities, and underdeveloped societies in general.

Other than that, volunteers also have the power to contribute towards sustainable climate change but saving the environment from further degradation. 

Volunteering to offer your time, energy, and resources to people and causes around the world can create an incredible impact on a global scale.

It is mindblowing to think that one person’s efforts can change the life of someone else somewhere in the world.

If you’ve never volunteered before, now is the time to sign up for something that aligns with your interests and spend some time doing something worthy.

Trust me, you won’t regret 🙂