CURRENTLY, the whole human community is in the tight grip of many types of calamities: natural disasters, economic crunch and epidemics. In this situation, all developed countries and even countries with small resources have come to the conclusion that volunteering is the only service that can save the human community in the toughest hours. The whole human community sees volunteering as a noble and heroic act, a meaningful achievement that gives one a deep sense of fulfillment. It is the most rewarding way to give something to someone in need, as it returns more than what is given.
The Holy Quran elaborates on this kind of altruism comprehensively. The Quran reads in many verses, “Most surely, those who do good to all the creatures on the earth are the best of humanity and they will be well blessed by Allah.” “Most surely, if a person has done an atom’s weight of good to their fellow beings, they shall see a reward that will never be cutoff. Allah is the Best of Judges.” Even in the direst circumstances of marooned people, if someone is not in a position to help monetarily, a few words of kindness or wiping away their tears is a better way to demonstrate love and care for them. It gives a sense of self-respect and self-worth. It is heartening that volunteering has managed to accomplish much through selfless acts, and many organizations are doing incredible services and contributions worldwide.
The USA, especially, is contributing at a very compact and high level. It sends eight thousand American volunteers to various parts of the world. The USA has founded an organization named the “Peace Corps,” which is also working in Pakistan with the help of local volunteers who enthusiastically collaborate with them. The USA is highly active in volunteering, particularly since 2005 when a very violent hurricane, Katrina, hit the Gulf Coast. It was one of the deadliest hurricanes to ever make landfall.
The coastal areas of states like Mississippi and Florida were in the grip of widespread flooding, and people had to be evacuated on a huge scale. A disaster volunteer service was immediately established. Although the Red Cross was also doing profound service (which is the oldest service in the USA), the Red Cross workers were providing food, clothing and shelter. However, many people needed to convey their sentiments of dismay and fear to other people, and the volunteers provided them with this service. They talked to them kindly and listened to them, even if the conversations of the marooned people were irrelevant or lengthy.
Now, when Pakistan has been hit by consecutive disasters such as flooding and epidemics, many volunteering organizations have come into being, even on an individual basis with very minor economic resources but a lot of heart. A few young students told me that they have organized themselves to provide all types of help to the unfortunate, destitute and handicapped people. They have decided to provide education to rag pickers and street children who have shown interest in getting an education.
We are all students and have decided to give all our leftover time to educate these children. We have come to realize that no child should be deprived of education due to discrimination based on class or ethnicity. We have decided to allocate each volunteer to one department. We will work in the following fields: (i) Education (ii) Drug Rehabilitation (iii) Disaster Management (iv) Dealing with Environmental Issues (v) Emergency Services in all the fields. We should all encourage and boost the morale and sacred sentiments of these youngsters who are truly determined to extend their love and energies to bring about a positive change in their motherland. May God bless them.
—The writer is senior journalist, based in Germany.
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