Hibr

Volunteers: The Modern Day Saints

Since the dawn of human interaction and society, relationships and trade have followed a ‘give and take’ pattern. People take what they need and give what they owe – and that is how it works in business and many other aspects of our lives. But there are a few people who do not follow this norm and who choose to follow a nobler path, the path of the volunteer. A volunteer gives of his time and effort freely, often doing jobs or offering a service that many wouldn’t even get paid to do.

In a world that asks “What’s in it for me?” volunteers are the modern day saints that put the needs of the many before the needs of the individual. They sacrifice their time, effort and, sometimes, even their lives to do the things that we are too cowardly to do, but would be in dire shape without. 

In celebration of International Volunteer Day on December 5, I decided to take a deeper look into the minds of these brave men and women. I spoke to two Red Cross volunteers, a veteran and a recent recruit, to learn more about the true meaning of being a volunteer. 

Naji Bechara has been a volunteer first aider with the Red Cross in the Keserwen area for four years.

Why did you choose to volunteer with the Red Cross?

My sister was a Red Cross volunteer when I was around 15. She used to tell me stories about her experiences as part of the Red Cross first aid teams. She was always full of enthusiasm and excited about everything to do with the Red Cross. So, she was the one who really persuaded me to join.

You encounter a lot of pain and violence through your volunteering. Does the constant exposure to such situations make you a colder person or less empathetic towards human suffering? 

These are two different things that people tend to mix up. My experience at the Red Cross has given me stronger nerves and a higher tolerance for graphic images of blood but it has not in any way affected my empathy. On the contrary, seeing people during their most difficult times has given me a deeper perspective and a humanitarian conscience.

Do you see yourself staying a member of the Red Cross for a long time to come? 

I will continue to be a member of the Red Cross for as long as I reside in Lebanon, and as long as my career is not drastically affected by it. In the end, every person who has ever been a volunteer in the first aid team will remain a part of my family for life.

What would you personally change in the Red Cross if you were given the chance? 

There have been huge changes in the Red Cross structure over the past four years. These changes have improved the organization on many levels. Personally, the only thing I would like to change is the number of people who join. The first aid teams always need more people to join and help out. That in my opinion is the only shortage we have.

What advice would you give young volunteers out there? 

Always remember the reason why you joined and the greater humanitarian cause. Because, when you love that cause, any obstacle will be easy to overcome. Good luck and welcome to the family!

Elham Abi Rached recently started the process to become a Red Cross paramedic.

Why the Red Cross? Was your decision affected by your loved ones at all? 

Well, I’ve always wanted to enter the Red Cross but, when I was eighteen years old, my father thought it was too soon. Then, this year, I went through many things that encouraged me to enter the Red Cross. One of them was reading The Street Lawyer by John Grisham. This decision to volunteer with the Red Cross wasn’t an easy one, and people around you cannot convince you to volunteer; it has to be something you really want to do or else you won’t make it. It would be very silly of people to think that I entered for reasons other than humanitarian ones.

Do you get some inner satisfaction from helping others? 

Helping people is something you realize you want to be able to do correctly, especially when you see someone you love in so much pain in front of you and you can’t do anything about it. I think it’s the most amazing thing ever to help someone, or even play a role in saving his life. Other than helping people out, you learn how to live with a group that contains many cultures and ways of thinking.

You are a student and an active member of society. Isn’t your life busy enough without volunteering? 

Everyone in the Red Cross has a life – they have work and university – but that isn’t a reason to quit. So far, these young men and women have managed to keep everything going even though all their lives are busy.

You have been volunteering with the Red Cross for just a short while. Tell us what you have learned so far. 

Well, right now, I’m completing 60 hours’ [volunteering]. When I’m done, I have to sit an exam and then I’ll finally enter [the Red Cross]. Honestly, I didn’t think I could learn so much in such a short period of time. I learned that I can help someone even when I’m alone, but it’s always better and more effective when you’re in a group. Things I totally misunderstood about how to behave in certain situations have become clearer.