Opinion

Unpaid work, but invaluable

August 24, 2017
Unpaid work, but invaluable

Rasheed Muhammad Al-Rasheed

Makkah newspaper

I worked in a foreign country for three years. The great disparities in social aspects and work between the West and the Arab nation attracted my attention. Westerners in general do not have better mental or physical abilities than what we have, but the differences lie in the fields of interest and priorities.

I will not go into the details of the disparities between us. But there is a key issue that they differ from us. Among the priorities of the Western society, where I lived for some time, is their keen interest in volunteerism. All of those who I worked with allocate at least 100 hours per year for voluntary work. This volunteerism is supported and encouraged by the society, companies and media. It is included in the education system. It is of no importance in what fields you volunteer or what cause you are serving, but what is important is to allocate time for volunteerism. Among the encouraging factors is that the universities in general prefer to admit students who are volunteers in some field to others than those who are not.

In some companies, including the one I was working in, the employee’s performance in volunteerism — in quantity and quality — is among the criteria for evaluation of the employee’s work performance. It is a culture that is instilled in the students and workers. This has resulted in advancement and discipline.

Among the merits of volunteerism is that it purifies the soul from selfishness. Volunteerism is giving without any financial returns. It is giving for the sake of giving. In volunteerism, a person frees himself from his real situation, work and comfortable surroundings. He diverts his attention to a world that is unfamiliar to him, a world that he has heard about but not experienced. He volunteers so as to realize and appreciate the bounties that Allah has granted him.

Furthermore, volunteerism broadens one’s knowledge and mental perception, polishes one’s skills, opens new vistas and builds new relations. With volunteerism, a person builds his nation and contributes to changing this world and making it a better and more beautiful place.

Perhaps I cannot list all the advantages of volunteerism, as I am not among those who have devoted their lives or part of their lives to this noble work. However, I mentioned some of what I have heard from those who were blessed in practicing volunteerism to the extent that it has become part of their lives.

Here, I recall a teacher who a year ago I had requested to join me in carrying out a certain project. He expressed his readiness to work with me anytime, except Sundays from 3.00 p.m. until the call for Maghrib prayer. He stressed that this period has been set aside for voluntary work.

Volunteerism here does not mean religious call (Da’wa). Thanks to Allah, this field has many volunteers from this country who are carrying out Da’wa perfectly. What is intended is fieldwork. This man (teacher) allocates this period for teaching a group of orphans life skills and accompanies them during these three hours. He stressed that he has not felt such satisfaction and continuous vitality except after allocating time for this voluntary work.

Among the beautiful examples of volunteerism in my country is the group of volunteers who set up the “Riyadh Afforestation Campaign” on Twitter through their personal efforts. Tens of thousands interacted with their campaign and 3,000 volunteers registered to join this campaign. It confirms the keenness and capability in our society to volunteer. However, this needs better organization. Perhaps our universities can help in this.

I recall going through a graduation project at King Saud University on an e-gate for volunteerism several years ago. Through the e-gate, a person interested in volunteering enters his free time, skills and the city where he is living so that the organization or institution that needs volunteers will contact those interested. How I wish that such projects are not confined to our universities, but are implemented for the benefit of the country and society in general. May be these projects can become the seed for instilling the culture of volunteerism in our generous society.

Conclusion: A volunteer once said: “Volunteerism is unpaid work, not because it has no value, but because it is invaluable.”


August 24, 2017
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