Some people might find that volunteering is done in free time and does not generate any value. It is by virtue of the fact that the volunteer does not earn anything as well. Some might reason this: "Wouldn't it be more beneficial for one to earn the money and donate it to the needy?" This is especially the case if our rendered volunteered service is of 'less economic value' than what we can earn in our specialized area of work. Besides, we were trained for work, not volunteering. So why not just pay the social workers who can provide more to the recipients of the volunteers' charity?

Also, it does seem, more often than not, that much emphasis is placed on the act of giving when it comes of volunteering. When people volunteer, we think of benefits flowing in one direction: the giver gives to the receiver. The recipient benefits and the volunteer merely performs an act of charity. Perhaps in exchange for giving the benefit, the volunteer feels a sense of fulfillment.

I think if we reduce the human-ness of volunteering to mere economic value, it degrades the human dignity of the recipient of such charity. And if we view volunteering as a one-sided affair in terms of giving and receiving, we have a narrow view of a concept of 'volunteerism' itself.

The value of volunteering is intangible. The act of giving of a volunteer is more than physical or monetary aid but an emotional one as well. It builds a sense of community and gives Man his humanity. When people speak of volunteering, there is no sense of 'money'. We help because we want to and not we need to.

The value of volunteering does not limit to the recipient but the giver as well. The help that is render is gratitude received; the love that is given is love received. The giver gives of his time but gets a multitude of benefits - a deeper understanding of the needs of others, development of moral character, the ability to establish better relationships and a whole lot more of intangible values that cannot be bought. These can only be learnt through experience.

Volunteering has a value but it stretches beyond the boundaries of money.

Learn more about this author, Paul Immanuel.
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