Author: Rochelle C. Pangilinan

You’ve probably come across the inspirational quote “Be the change you wish to see in the world” in social media countless times. These famous words are widely attributed to Mahatma Gandhi though it’s said that it’s actually not. However, no matter who said it, the message is clear: you have the power to change the world, and it’s always best to start with yourself.

The message is aligned with the benefits of volunteering. If you believe strongly in a cause, you can’t sit idly by and watch others promote that cause. What you can do is join organizations or groups of like-minded individuals and make an effort to bring awareness to the cause.

December 5 is International Volunteer Day. The United Nations Volunteers founded International Volunteer Day in 1985 to celebrate the instruments for social change around the globe.

The first occurrence of volunteering dates back to medieval Europe, where religion and care for the sick went hand-in-hand. During this period, especially in England, plague was prevalent, and hundreds of hospitals run by churches received an influx of patients. Organized volunteering as we know it today began to take off in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, with groups like Red Cross, Lions Club, Rotary Club, and the Y.M.C.A. leading the way. They started collecting donations, mobilizing volunteers, and doing charity work and community service.

Today, volunteering is more important than ever. If you’re thinking of giving back to the community, read below for the benefits you can expect to reap.

Volunteering is a learning opportunity.

When you give back, you become more receptive to the world around you and what’s happening. Therefore, you become more open to things that are new to you or that you’re not wholly familiar with. And even if you volunteer for an organization dedicated to a mission that’s close to your heart, you still get to learn from the team leaders or your fellow volunteers.

Volunteering gives you purpose.

Working to receive a pay cheque every two weeks to get you the basic needs is OK. However, more often than not, it’s not fulfilling. When you do volunteer work like helping out in a community kitchen to feed the needy, you feel you’re helping out individuals directly and you’re doing something more meaningful than crunching numbers or meeting deadlines.

Volunteering makes good use of free time.

Binging on your fave TV shows on one weekend is a great activity to give yourself a break after working hard for a week. However, if this is something you find yourself doing every weekend, you might as well plant yourself on your couch. It’s OK to embrace a form of entertainment, but if you find yourself not doing anything else, it’s great to give volunteering a chance where your free time will definitely be well-spent.

Volunteering gives you an opportunity to socialize.

Even when you work full-time or are self-employed, there’s not a lot of opportunity to socialize because most everyone seems to be pre-occupied with getting their tasks done. With volunteering, you get to work outside of your normal work hours and though you still have tasks to do, you have more flexibility to chat with fellow volunteer. What’s even better is that you know they already believe in the same causes as you do and it’s easier to share volunteer experiences.

Volunteering gives your resume that much-needed extra.

Impressive education and extensive work experience are definitely qualities that get you attention from hiring managers. However, in some cases or depending on the industry that you are targeting to get into, these are not enough to separate you from the rest, since most would probably have the same degree from a prestigious university or the same stint at a world-class company. In this regard, volunteer experience can truly set you apart from the rest.

Sources 

https://www.worldvision.ca/stories/benefits-of-volunteering

https://nationaltoday.com/international-volunteer-day/

https://volunteer.ca/index.php?MenuItemID=327

By Rabia Khan

Dogs are innocent creatures that make any dull day bright. The high risk of rabies has cautioned the Canadian government. They are taking into account the health and well-being of all humans and animals involved. The recent ban on street dogs from over 100 countries is to reduce the risk of rabies getting into Canada after two dogs from Iran were found to be infected. Some veterinary organizations welcome the ban and say that it is better to be safe than sorry. The Canadian Veterinarian Medical Association also supports the ban. Support is based on the threat to human life and also to the lives of pets if all these devastating canine rabies was allowed to spread. It is regulated to protect all concerned.

Health is the primary concern. Even if a dog has to be adopted there needs to be information about its health. There are a lot of animal rescue organizations that have pets that match your needs. They have unique breeds or sizes or types of animals that may appeal to you. Canada has a lot of unwanted pets needing homes or shelters. Saving a dog may be like saving a life if you have the resources at your behest. Remember that they also need a proper health check by a certified vet.

The requirement for dogs coming into Canada for adoption is that they are vaccinated against rabies. So a rabies vaccination is a must.

Below is further information about pet adoption and bringing dogs into Canada:

When a dog enters Canadian territory, it undergoes an inspection. It costs $40 for the first pet entering Canada and an additional $7.00 for each additional pet. A plane ticket is also mandatory when a dog is flying which costs anywhere from $100 to $200 each way. One passenger per dog is permitted. Once a ticket has been purchased, the dog can be put in a carrier and placed under the seat in front of the owner.

Canada requires that you microchip your pet with a fifteen-digit ISO 11784-compliant pet microchip and register your contact information in case of an emergency or if you lose your pet.

Dogs that come from another country to be transferred to another person for sale or adoption, as well as show, exhibition, or research, will be classified as commercial.

For all dogs entering Canada, proof of age, health certificate, ownership, and also rabies vaccination certificate is mandatory. Not all pet owners seem to have this information about their dogs.

Assistance dogs that act as a guide or any other service are not subject to any restrictions, but only if the dog is accompanied by its owner.

By Rabia Khan

2022 was a hard-hitting year not just for me but all of us who survived the pandemic. Nevertheless, it has been a good year. There is so much to be thankful for despite all that has been going on worldwide, for instance, the war in Ukraine. A lot of things went down. Politically the world is still not a better place to be, but hope rises eternally in a despondent heart.

I can only be grateful to have a roof over my head, a warm bed and hot meals, clean drinking water, and a good bath whenever I feel like it. I still see people wearing masks but I can’t be bothered. There are times when I have become so comfortable with this new normal.

I still think people have not come to terms with what affected them over the past two years. They are still struggling and stumbling along the way. I guess that is the power of the human spirit. Obstacles do not have to hinder us.

People want to try harder and make it work. That’s the change I have seen in people over the past year. Personal growth is something that happens when you partake of other people’s anguish. It’s your experience as well and helps you put life in perspective.

But sadly, homelessness has increased. I see it everywhere, in big cities, and it’s a crying shame. It cannot be helped because sometimes I think people in these dire situations do not want to help themselves. Maybe along the way their willpower has taken a hit.

What I see and feel is a part of me. It affects me as a person and as a human being it tears me apart. I am minuscule in this sea of humanity and all I can ever do is look after myself. Keeping a smile and a little wisdom, and not acting impulsively, has taken me a long way from being this indecisive person to a person that feels no more scared of life and where it’s taking her.

Do the best you can under all circumstances irrespective of how uncomfortable you are. When I lay my head down to sleep I want to sleep peacefully with a good conscience. I wish the same for all people. The ways I have grown over the past two years has been immensely beneficial and rewarding. I think it pays to be patient. I hope that people all over the globe begin to think in this positive way. It may not get you exactly what you want, but it may alleviate your hurt and disappointment.