Street Report: What do young people think about volunteering?

It is often said that the youth of today are the future. We went out on the streets around the P.C. Hoofthuis of the UvA and asked young people: “What is your perception of volunteering?”, “Have you ever done any volunteering?”, if not: “Have you ever considered it?”
This is what they said.

“Isn’t giving money better?”

<– Thijs, 21.“By doing volunteer work, you show your social commitment. It’s more about giving than taking. I am involved in the Student Disability Platform. I enjoy doing that, but a good compensation can be offered in return.”–> Mylène, 22.“I have never done volunteer work before. The image I have of it is that you put yourself aside a bit by thinking of others. Helping people like the elderly, children, and people with disabilities; without getting paid for it. I would like to do something in elderly care, because of the loneliness that prevails there.”

“It can help you get in touch with a company that you find interesting!”

<– Ylva, 27.“My impression is very positive! Volunteer work is much more diverse than most people think. For example, I have been an assistant teacher at a language school for refugees. It can also help you get in touch with a company that you find interesting.”Julia, 21.“I think volunteering is something very positive. It’s great that so many people do this. I used to regularly do shifts at the bar in the football canteen. It was fun to do, but it also takes time. In the end, I switched to paid work.”

–> Daniel, 23.“Volunteering to me is: helping society. Sacrificing some of your time for others. This is what I have also done; I have helped out and led at the scouting.”Sophie, 21.“I think of my sister in that case. She has done volunteer work, including building a doghouse. She was positive about the work, but I feel like sometimes we benefit more from it than the people being helped. Wouldn’t giving money be better when it comes to volunteering abroad?”

“Children cried because of my face painting skills”

Ronja, 23.“What comes to mind when I think of volunteering? Elderly people in nursing homes. Reading to children. And cleaning: removing plastic from the water. I myself have spent three months in Kenya, where I worked in a shelter for abandoned children. I found that experience cool, but I do wonder if I did the right thing because the connection was lost when I left. I did learn a lot from the culture there.”

<– Nora, 20.“No, never considered it. It’s cool if others do. I think there are many possibilities: going around and delivering food, helping people integrate, becoming a companion for the elderly or for refugees.”Sarah, 21.“Elderly people helping; that is the stereotype that comes to mind. I have helped out at a petting zoo myself. I didn’t enjoy it because the children cried over my face painting skills. I have also collected donations for the World Wide Fund for Nature. I did enjoy that.”
–> Charlotte, 21.“I think a lot about charity. Commitment. Doing something good for the world. I’m not necessarily thinking about the elderly, but about daily activities. Good causes. People who are a bit outside of society. Elderly, refugees, the sick. It really seems like something for me. For example, to do something with refugees. But I never pursued it.”Text and photos: Anjali Mahabier and Kiki Dusebout

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