Hi Children,
The letters you children are writing to this team are truly inspiring to us. We feel so much closer to all of you because of the time you take to describe things that are important to you. When you describe some of the things you are experiencing in your home and school, it helps us to understand your life, and we feel closer to you that way, too. We sure hope our letters are helping you to know all of us as well.
When you wrote to us about your involvement in volunteering, I felt so proud of all of you. You are such special children to want to help others. This letter caused each of us on the writing team to reflect on our own reasons for volunteering. We decided you might like to know how each of us look at volunteering our time, and perhaps you will see some more common things between all of us.
I will start with myself.
From Patti:
I have been a volunteer for most of my life, even when I was young like most of you. I think I learned a lot about helping others through the example of my parents. They were always helping their neighbours and friends when problems or a crisis came up. I fully believe that being part of a community makes you responsible to share your gifts and strengths to make that community better. There is a saying: “many hands make light work”. I have experienced that in all my volunteer work. I have experienced that when volunteering for Hearts for Ethiopia. Even the biggest of tasks seem so much smaller when we band together and tackle the work together. When we work together, we make the world a better place. Sometimes we are the strong hands, and can lift up others. Sometimes we may be the ones who need to be lifted. We never know when our places may switch. I also believe that whenever you help others, your heart is filled with gratitude, and you are reminded of your own good fortune, no matter how big or small.
From Lisa:
When I was a young child, my parents, grandparents and teachers all taught me the importance of being a kind person, a fair person, and a person who cares about others. I have been fortunate throughout my life to not have to deal with serious problems like not having enough to eat or not having a safe, healthy home. I know that I have been lucky, and I believe that I have a responsibility to help when I can to make sure that others have better access to the things that they need to be safe and healthy, even if what I can do may be very small. Every little gift of time and money can make a difference.
I have volunteered in many different ways over the years. One of the most valuable things about volunteering is the opportunity to get to know people better and understand other people's lives and the challenges they face, and learning how I can use my talents and time in a positive way.
Volunteering is an opportunity for me to contribute to my community in a positive way. I can see the impacts that our shared efforts can have. I also really value the relationships that I have made by being involved in volunteer organizations. I have made some dear friends (including your Grandma Shelley) and have met so many people who are wonderful examples of kindness and generosity.
From Megan:
I believe so deeply in volunteering and the reason is simple. I think if you are lucky enough to have a good life, you should do what you can to help other people live good lives, too. Maybe that means sharing food with those who live on the streets, or donating clothing or money so people can stay warm and buy the supplies they need for their children. It also means fighting for what is right, even if it won’t directly impact me or change my life.
Everyone needs help in this world, we all just need different kinds of help. Acting like a community - a global village - where we support others just because we can makes us all stronger. I love volunteering for Hearts for Ethiopia because it helps me learn from amazing Ethiopians like all of you at Tesfa’s Shelter! Isn’t Tesfa such a wonderful example of giving to others?
Though volunteering is common for some people in Canada, others never take part in volunteering or donating. We have to work hard to make sure that is part of our culture, one of the building blocks of our communities. I am so proud of the example you are setting in Harar!! Thank you for your volunteering!
From Kim:
I am excited that you are all learning about volunteering! Volunteering is such a rewarding experience! I love volunteering because I know that the volunteer work that I do can brighten someone’s day and make them feel happy. Sometimes volunteering can be a really small gesture like showing kindness by sharing a book or sharing a snack with a friend who is hungry. Other times volunteering can be bigger like helping an older person to do a job for a few hours or visiting someone who is sick. Volunteering can make you feel kind of like a superhero! You can use your special superhero powers of kindness and your actions to make the world a better place for others.
Helping others can also make you feel great inside and teach you new things too. So, whenever you volunteer, you're not just helping someone else—you're also growing and learning how to make the world a wonderful place for everyone!
From Grandma Shelley:
I am so excited that you have completed your volunteer training and what I love most of all is that you have connected your life and what you are provided with the fact your dad, mother, grandmother and many, many volunteers in Canada are all volunteering to give you a better life.
Do you know something? We can all help to make our communities a better place to live by volunteering our time and our skills.
For me, volunteering has been a part of my life since I was a child. Your great grandma and great grandpa (my parents) set a very good example for me when I was growing up. My parents volunteered in many different ways and were very involved in the church as volunteers.
Tesfa, Kal, your grandma and all of our volunteers are now setting an excellent example for you.
When you start to volunteer as a child, volunteering becomes a part of who you are and how you live. Caring for other people and thinking of others can give you a strong purpose in life and help you to feel fulfillment and happiness. I know for me, the less I focus on myself and think of others, the happier I feel inside.
I try to help others in the same way I would want to be helped if I was in need.
Volunteering has blessed my life so richly that I often feel I get more out of giving to others than they receive from my volunteering. For example, I have a son and daughter-in-law that I would never have had if I was not volunteering for women and children in Ethiopia. I would not have all of you as my grandchildren. I have been very blessed, greatly blessed through my willingness to volunteer and help others. I know you will be blessed too!
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So, children, we are all learning from each other about how to live better lives and how to be happy. Helping others makes us feel happy. Helping others makes them feel happy. The reason we are together and getting to know each other is because of a longing each person on this writing team felt to want to help all of you feel loved, supported, and known. We represent all of the volunteers of Hearts for Ethiopia who care for you so much. I sure am grateful to be on this team, to be writing letters to all of you, and to receive your letters in return. It fills me with joy. I always finish my letter wondering if just one of you will smile or feel the love we have for all of you when you read what I have written.
We are grateful for you. And we are so, so proud of you.
Sincerely,
Patti of Friends Ink!