Why do you volunteer? I am convinced that with the will I can impact the life of others and mine, and I know that there is nothing more gratifying than seeing the people that we work with smile. I volunteer with the Youth Movement Against Violence in El Salvador
What have you learned as a volunteer? I have learned three fundamental values: love, humility, and service. I have also learned that my words become actions that impact and benefit others. Volunteering results in a transformation of lives, lives of countries, and countries of the world.
How do you think your work as a volunteer helps your community? It is important to mention that it doesn’t matter how big or small your volunteering contributions are, nor does the size of our efforts. Each one of us adds value to make our cause successful, for which I am certain that each thing we do to better our community will impact the life of many generations. The work we do as volunteers has a waterfall effect. The benefits of our working for causes directly transforms hearts, lives, and communities, making communities safer and without violence and, Sucesivamente, leads to countries with better opportunities.
What impact do you think the Youth Against Violence Movements or Outreach Centers have had in your work as a volunteer? The impact is reciprocal. The Movement has given me the opportunity to reach my dreams, and elevate my spirit and heart to believe in a cause. El Movimiento no sólo me ha posibilitado y dado herramientas para mi trabajo como voluntario, pero también me ha dado la oportunidad de seguir alcanzando mis sueños, sabiendo que todo es posible si somos apasionados en nuestras creencias. Gracias a todos estos beneficios., now I also can teach and replicate my lessons learned through the motivation that I now possess. Esta motivación es contagiosa a otros en la lucha contra la violencia y por el amor y la prevención de la violencia.. El Movimiento me ha dado la oportunidad de apoyar la apertura del capítulo del Movimiento Juvenil Contra la Violencia Nicaragua y trabajar para crear una política pública de prevención de la violencia a nivel nacional y regional.. We dream that all of our hard work can extend outside of our borders, benefiting all youth of any country in the region.
Aleyda Mendez is a volunteer in the Youth Movement Against Violence in El Salvador.