Gillian Anderson has rightly said, “Be of service. Whether you make yourself available to a friend or co-worker, or you make time every month to do volunteer work, there is nothing that harvests more of a feeling of empowerment than being of service to someone in need.”
There comes a time when we need a certain call. A call to remind ourselves about who we are and what we are. Rick was an introvert student in nature for which he feels that there is nothing wrong with that. But, it is certainly wrong when we don’t raise our voice against oppression. Being a survivor of racist comments and bullying, one thing that Rick firmly believes in is that it is very easy to give up but the real thrill is in fighting it out, fighting your own battle till the end! Being there for each other when needed the most is what true Volunteerism is all about.
It was on 29th of September, 2019, which was a turning point in Rick’s Volunteering life when he got selected as a V-Force Leader for UNV India. He always wanted to do something which would make him feel good about himself and be the best of himself. It was truly a dream come true opportunity for him after being selected through Internshala.
He recollects that “At first, it was really confusing for me as a Leader about how to engage in groundwork. The Online materials were easy to promote and create a broader understanding but it was equally important to engage with people and discuss the idea of Sustainable Development Goals hand to hand. But with the help of my friends, I was able to organize a workshop on SDGs in my college where friends actively participated and showcased full determination in being the change. I became better in communicating with absolute strangers and promoting the campaigns. With the help of my fellow V-Force Leader, Mohammad Siraj, we were able to organise a workshop on 5th of December, 2019 on International Volunteer’s Day thus creating the sense of fraternity among the volunteers. We were able to meet an amazing bunch of people who believed in our ideas and joined the cause. “
The very next day on the 6th of December, 2019, with the benevolent help of his college, a Candle march was organized to protest against the violence on women and to promote women empowerment.
On the eve of International Women’s Day, Siraj, Afreen and Rick organized a workshop on Women’s Day in creating a sense of belongingness and equality in all aspects of life through an interactive discussion. We did a Facebook live and shared our thoughts on Women’s Day and the future of our campaigns and SDGs.
For the last 6 months, working as a V-Force Leader has truly evolved him as a human being. He has understood the meaning of being privileged and how we can bring big changes just by the touch of a button in our communication devices.
I met so many wonderful people throughout this journey who are doing their best for others and are highly successful in bringing a social change which is much needed in our society. UNV India gave us an interactive platform to locate, showcase and spread the idea of SDGs to a wider group of people thus believing that we can certainly make a difference.”
It is very important that after all the sins we commit in our day to day lives, doing something good for others really feels the best. Rick believes that it is our moral obligation that we should help and care for others in order to bring the best out of us. Volunteering is not only about hosting and organizing but it is also about a moral debt and a promise to yourself about being the difference in one’s life. It is the self-realization that would ultimately bring the change in our society and would bring the success step in the completion of the Sustainable Development Goals for a brighter and better future for me and for you.
“Currently I am volunteering as a V-Force coordinator. I assist the UNV team in planning and executions of the assignments. I also support, in my capacity, the team in organizing various virtual events. I enjoy volunteering and it gives me self-satisfaction. It’s a place of happiness! From Strength to Strength!”
Let the V-Power be with you!