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By Daisydee Bautista
Through the years, I’ve had a number of conversations about volunteerism. “Why volunteer?” is a question that always seems to come up and, to be honest, I don’t know if I’ve actually gotten any more articulate on the topic. As time goes on, I am constantly learning and finding the volunteer experience more and more rewarding. It seems nearly impossible to describe.
I look back on my high school days, and even prior, and also on my days in university, and even now with my career path leading me to work in the non-profit sector. My experiences and learning through volunteerism have become so ingrained in me that I can’t imagine what it would be like had I not taken advantage of the opportunities volunteering has laid out before me.
It’s hard to believe that it has been 6 years since ANAK started and that we are in our sixth year of the ANAK Kapatid In-School Mentorship Program. I’ve witnessed the newcomer high school students I once mentored define what it means to be Filipino-Canadian for themselves. I’ve witnessed their growth as young adults following their life pursuits. I feel proud to have played a small part in that.
Giving or giving back is an easy answer to have, but the rewards I have also gained as a volunteer are things that I can’t quantify to a dollar amount. I have developed professionally; I have learned about myself personally; I have gained peers and built relationships. They are things I would never sell or give up for anything.
So why volunteer? Why not?!
Daisydee Bautista is the Director of ANAK. If you are interested in volunteering as a mentor, contact the author at
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
or visit www.anak.ca.
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