Volunteering - serving and gaining

There is a rapid change that is taking place with regard to the role of volunteers in delivery of different services.

At least 30000 volunteers were involved in the recently concluded London Olympics. A head of an international organization, who retired recently was a volunteer at the Olympics as a driver to transport athletes and participants. He was in training for six months to perform this job. He opted to volunteer to help in the conduct of the games and to learn further from using his skills about human behavior and relationships. For him, to be in touch with athletes thirty or more years younger to him was necessary to get in touch with the world in which they grow up.

As we grow older, we are getting out touch with younger people.The younger people are out of touch with older people normally. 

So, volunteering can be an opportunity for older people to be involved with young people to get a feel of their thoughts, needs, aspirations, conflicts and disappointments. We will become better parents, if we have wider experience with younger people. Choose to offer to be a volunteer for occasions where younger people need service. Similarly, if college students or young professionals can volunteer to care for senior citizens, single people who live alone, or be part of 'meal on wheel’ programme, etc. they will get better perspectives on the ways and attitudes of older people.

We need to promote the bridging of generations. I have a sense that younger people are chronically under the stifling control of older people. The older people are mortally anxious about the younger people for their impulsivity, unpredictability and forcefulness. 

This is apparent in many homes. We grow inwardly by being in touch with people who are from another generation.

M.C.Mathew (text and photo)