My personal experience about volunteerism is connected with the organization “Smile of the child’’ which provides me the opportunity to go to the hospital and play with children.They are definitely the most essential hours of my week.
I started to go in the ‘’Ippokrateio’’ hospital a year ago. In the beginning, it was strange and amazing at the same time. Because, i didn’t know how to behave to children and I didn’t want to make them feel as they are sick. As the time passes I was learning things about how to handle every child and bring out their special abilities. We usually play board games, read books, listen music and draw. Because of the health situation some children aren’t able to be in contact with other kids, so I visit them in their room. They make me feel very pleasant when they trust me and narrate their personal stories. It is amazing how quickly kids feel comfortable with you, call you by your name, hug you and show their love.
In the hospital you can see so many categories of people. You can meet rich or poor, Greeks or people from foreign countries. You can also meet refugees. But children don’t know about all these labels, because they are just labels and nothing more. Children only want to be happy and play with other kids. They will not choose their friends from their money or from the country who came.
I suppose that everyone who wants to spend their spare time should try it. This experience changes the way I face life, I am trying to seize every moment and not to consider the things I have in my life are standards. Being with sick children makes me appreciate how lucky I am because I am healthy.
If we want a better world, we should realize that giving is more important than taking.
HOW VOLUNTEERISM CHANGED MY LIFE