The Power of Volunteerism

South Africa is an incredible place of beauty, power, savageness, and yes, despair. It is hard to believe that such a beautiful place can also be a place where every Saturday in a remote village of 5000 people, there are an average of eight funerals.

The very real situation is that the AIDS pandemic is so severe that an entire generation will be eliminated in the next few years, leaving behind a legacy of 11,000,000 orphans. What is to become of these children of God? Who will ensure that they are fed and clothed, educated and loved?

While all this sounds very hopeless, the truth is there is a group that can make significant changes in the lives of these beautiful children…VOLUNTEERS.

Webster’s American English Dictionary describes a Volunteer who is a person who offers to help or work without expecting payment or reward – offer or give voluntarily. What no payment or reward? The opposite is true.

Every time we help others, we end up receiving as much in return as we give, and….we are blessed beyond measure in how the act of volunteering makes us feel inside. During our trip to South Africa, one of the many activities and events was the making of over 300 balloon hats and at least an equal number of balloon dogs! This little act brought so much happiness to the children of Molewane Village that it is impossible to describe. Our own children and grandchildren could have learned something from these children without parents who stood in line waiting patiently for their turn to have their head measured for a custom made balloon hat.

And volunteerism doesn’t end at the entrance to the village. Back here in the United States where we are all blessed beyond measure, volunteers in America, and especially in Arizona, work every day to the service of the children and families of South Africa. Whether it is on a committee working to raise funds (see our website articles on the Walk on the Wild Side Phoenix Zoo Walk, or the Music Under The Stars evening, with all proceeds benefiting Helping Hands in Africa), or writing and developing curriculum for educational programs back in South Africa, handling administrative affairs for the organization, or talking to other faith based organizations about getting involved in this important volunteer effort.

I often think, as I reflect on my own involvement how much difference one person, thousands of miles away, can make in the life of a child, and how precious that one life is to this world we all share.

Yours in Christ,
Jerry Houston