Inspired by my Mom!
Volunteer Story by Ana Sequeira
Since I was a child I was inspired by my mother to give. My mother experienced many obstacles in her life, however; she never stopped believing neither in a better day nor in humanity. She taught me to remain strong without the bitterness of problems, to care, to grow in faith and most important of all to exercise charity as the biggest form of love towards others.
That’s why I give the best of my time to volunteer activities, not my free time. This engagement is worth every minute, therefore I make it part of my routine and dedicate time as much as it is needed, because it gives my life a true meaning.
My biggest motivation as a volunteer is exactly to be able to help other people. It is the fuel to personal growth, and the opportunity to assure others that the next day will be better than the last, and help them thrive! Showing them that someone still cares.
It is priceless when you have to literally choke in your own tears, when a child looks into your eyes and tells you, he wants to be like you when he grows up, so he would be able to give back to the community the same care he was receiving that day. Feeling that I’m getting into every heart with my actions, and with that, I am able to heal a small portion of the world. Most important of all, the emotion in your heart and the tears of joy rolling down your cheeks when you write about what motivates you to help others.
The first time I volunteered with the Legion of Good Will was on January 27 of 2012. I found out about them through one of my dearest friends on social media (very much helpful Facebook!) I helped them prepare warm meals for their Charity Round program, that brings food relief to homeless, and low-income families. I had a lot of mixed sentiments. I knew all kind of poverty existed, but at the same time distant from my own reality. At that time, I felt fragile and heartbroken by what I saw that day on the streets. However, deep in my heart was that sense “I was born to charity and justice.” I would take matters into my own hands, and do what I could possible do to ease troubles, put all fears aside, fight and stand for a better world.
One of the most touching experiences, I have lived and that I remembered until today, was on my second Charity Round, when one of the benefited gentleman walked up to me, and asked not only for something as simple and powerful as a prayer in honor of his beloved wife, but also for an empty cup in order to share the last soup with someone else who was left without one. There were quite a few lessons learned that cold night, such as: simplicity, faith, charity, and selfishness.
We are given the gift of being able to give with all of our good will.