Volunteering

।। Farhan Ishrak ।।

According to August Conte, the father of sociology, “When altruism is a social feeling of man, it is possible to free human society from the conflict of interest by practising and improving this feeling.” Today, when we are all busy with ourselves, ignoring the helpless man on the side of the road and running for our own future, some people against the current are picking him up from the road and giving him a beautiful life.

We often call our society a faded society, but how many people take the initiative to reform or change this society? Now the question may be how can I change the society alone? The answer is very simple. Come forward voluntarily today, many more will be inspired to see you tomorrow. Some of your small efforts today as a volunteer will one day lead to social development on a large scale.

What do we mean by volunteering? In fact, volunteering is the name of coming forward voluntarily for the welfare of the larger society without looking at one’s own interests. Volunteering does not mean the same thing to everyone. For some, volunteering is the absence of financial compensation, while for others it is a different kind of love, peace of mind and a small attempt to change society. There is so much to give to society as a social creature, just to broaden one’s own perspective. At present, in addition to volunteering on an individual basis, there are innumerable voluntary organizations in the country where millions of volunteers are working tirelessly to take the backward people forward. In this case, they often have to hear, why this madness to work for others without remuneration? But these lunatics are working to change the society without looking at anyone’s harsh words. Today, when everyone is busy with building their careers, running in the age of competition, some people are going against the flow and make hundreds of helpless people smile without pay, dreaming of a beautiful future for everyone. In fact, this is the beauty of volunteering.

Most of these indomitable volunteers are young. Some of them work for the education of street children, some for women’s rights, some for the rehabilitation of helpless people, some for prevention of environmental pollution and some for free blood donation service for distressed patients. In the Covid-19 situation, when the country faced a sudden challenge, the youth in volunteering showed a path of possibility. With the closure of educational institutions, young students have volunteered in their areas to make people aware of the virus, and have formed separate volunteer teams to spread the word about their awareness across the country.

Most of these young people may not even take more money from their fathers but they are reaching out to the able-bodied people to stand by the side of the marginalized people. Those who have never eaten a glass of water at home have also carried heavy relief packets on their shoulders. Sometimes climbing stairs with relief or sighing for relief in a crowded alley, yet these volunteers have found success in putting smiles on the faces of helpless people. Tired-ruined but strong in altruism, how can you measure these people! This spontaneous participation of young people in volunteerism signifies a promising future, a dream of an enlightened Bangladesh.

Volunteering plays a large role in social change. It is not always possible for the government or the administration of a country to help the people in remote areas in times of national calamity, accident or any crisis. Many times due to natural calamities, roads, communication systems, electrical connections are cut off, making it difficult to reach the affected areas on time. In this case, quick help can be provided to the affected people through local volunteers. Long before government relief reached various parts of Bangladesh, it was the volunteers who came forward to save the people through individual or organizational initiatives. The most vulnerable people in the society need this immediate help. In addition, free educational activities, distribution of new clothes among the children of the poor on Eid, Puja, New Year or festival, tree planting programme, voluntary activities like setting up a library in the area with their own funds play a special role in the development of the society. The inhabitants of a society know best what is needed for their betterment; so, if a certain part of them volunteers, that initiative can play a more effective role in bringing about positive change in the society. On the other hand, volunteering also works to develop personal skills. A volunteer has to go through the process of tolerance, teamwork, leadership or decision making through his work. Through this, these qualities are spread among the volunteers and help them to develop as good citizens.

It is disappointing but true that despite the large number of volunteers working under different voluntary organizations or on their own initiative across the country, it has not yet been possible to bring them under the same platform. Despite the overall expansion of volunteerism in Bangladesh, volunteerism has not yet become institutionalized in that sense. If this is done, it is possible to provide more efficient services to the people of the country. If an area-wise database can be created by enlisting volunteers from all over the country in government or private initiatives, then it will be possible to provide field level services through volunteers immediately at any emergency moment. At the same time, it is possible to use this huge volunteer force as a ‘quick response team’ to deal with national disasters by providing appropriate training. It will be possible to reduce the economic loss of the country as much as it will benefit the endangered people of the society.

A number of steps need to be taken to make volunteerism universal in the country. This includes, first of all, the proper evaluation of the work of the volunteers and their proper recognition. Many volunteers from all over the country face difficulties in participating in the work or do not get the necessary support at the local level. These complications need to be overcome if volunteerism is to spread everywhere. Awareness should be created among the people of the society, especially the students, by calling volunteerism as a civic responsibility. To this end, special courses on volunteerism, its role in society and its practical application can be added to educational institutions. Social work training can be given through a monthly or quarterly project to give students an idea about field volunteering.

As a result, the qualities of volunteerism will be spread among the students from the school level. Besides, the people of the society, especially the young people need to be included in the volunteer service through social organizations. Through all these works, it is possible to bring about the overall expansion of volunteerism across the country.

Every citizen needs to contribute for the overall development of a society, a nation, a country, the people of a country. In this case, volunteerism is a powerful means to contribute to the development of society. If the people of the country participate in social work on their own initiative, through volunteerism, it is possible to change the country very quickly. And that is why it is important to spread volunteerism to the marginal stage.

The writer is a student, Department of Banking and Insurance, University of Dhaka. Email: ishrakf1971@gmail.com