Somehow it so happened that a person is the main treasure of the world; it was important to express one's attitude towards people through action, to be useful. What is even more important - to work with your people, with those who share these values and keep those energy, experience, knowledge and deeds circulate. Purposefully looking for a charitable organization. I don’t remember at all why I didn’t immediately come to the Gomel Jewish Volunteer Center, but it met my expectations and I stayed. Our coordinator has assembled a great team of smart, unique, and very kind people. We learned from each other. Training, children, people, hiking, trips, assaults, a lot of food for the mind and soul - it has the power to teach a lesson. I realized that helping is always two-way, always an exchange: you help someone obviously, but it is he who gives you the opportunity to prove yourself, to do something necessary and good - this is also help on his part. I realized that the resource is much wider than "you give me, I give you", that there are a great many options. I understood what it is like to be on the other side of consumerism - to create, think broadly and have the strength to change something. Then there were cases, conflicts and their solutions, interesting discoveries, gratitude, and volunteering became a way of life. At a certain moment you just understand that "I'm ready", and it's impossible to go back.

My name is Irina, I have a wonderful son who has a disability. I know very well how sometimes additional moral and material help are needed to give the necessary attention to such kids. At some point, I realized that many people's life situations are more difficult than mine. Also, I have an experience that I want to share with others, especially with those who are in dire need of it. Every time I hear "Thank you", I realize that I haven't lived the day in vain. During my volunteering at the Gomel Jewish Volunteer Center, I realized that the team of volunteers is my big family! I never thought that people who have almost nothing in common could come together like this.

My volunteering journey began in September 2018 when I joined the community. To be honest, back then, I had no idea what volunteering was all about. I was introduced to it by Julia Volstein. I consider her my spiritual mentor because she was the one who showed what volunteers do and how to interact with different categories of people we provide help to. With Julia's help, the volunteer creative group "Rikuddim" was created, which is active to this day.

We established it quite quickly. Initially, we participated in various events, provided assistance to the community, and performed in charity concerts. The most important thing is my "volunteers," as I like to call them. They are my team, which, over the five years of our existence, has helped others many times without remaining indifferent to the problems of others. When we started, there were only six of us, but as we continued, more community members became interested in our activities. Today, the volunteer creative group consists of 15 members, as well as children of community members. I love helping others, seeing their smiles, especially when it comes to children or elderly people who just need some companionship. I love to see the little happiness in their eyes after the events, which then fills you from within, making you a completely different person.

I believe that what we gain from volunteering goes beyond material possessions. Participation in events helps us develop our qualities: responsibility, conflict resolution, communication skills, overcoming shyness, and more. Volunteering is an excellent way to make new friends.

As they say, "a person needs a person." In reality, offering assistance is not that difficult. I think many people have, at some point, selflessly helped others without expecting any reward. Charity is a very important part of our world. A person gives a piece of their warmth, their time, their emotions but gains much more in return.