Yesterday, as I read online news, I came across the following link:
http://news.aol.ca/article/quebec-mds-ask-for-pay-to-volunteer-in-haiti/775644/?icid=main|canada|dl1|link3|http%3A%2F%2Fnews.aol.ca%2Farticle%2Fquebec-mds-ask-for-pay-to-volunteer-in-haiti%2F775644%2F
After reading this, I wrote this in a reaction of outrage and disgust.
Volunteering is defined as an individual or group contributing their time, effort, and skills to helping specific projects succeed without any expectation of money in return.
Imagine the shock that transpired when, according to the AOL news site, there appeared an article about orthopedists on Quebec asking for pay to VOLUNTEER in Haiti.
If it is merely a joke, it’s a horrible one, and if it is indeed real, one must wonder what these medical professionals would do if their demand was refused. Would they pack up and run away from the chaos?
Everybody knows that an earthquake has devastated Haiti and they are now in need of every resource, including the help of others, that is available. Sure, there may be a money issue here and there, but that is why volunteerism exists. There currently is and will be a need for volunteers there for a long time yet.
When one volunteers, normally it’s out of the good of their heart, because they want to help make things easier for others. When these medical professionals first arrived in Haiti to help, their hearts and minds were dedicated to doing whatever they could to help the displaced and afflicted.
However, it may be right to assume that the conditions they came across made them wonder if it was really worth it to commence work without expecting some sort of pay for their efforts.
Why are they bringing this issue up now if it’s any other reason than being overwhelmed by the situation?
Well, it seems a bit crazy, but money isn’t the only thing that can help with being overwhelmed in doing one’s best in a strange situation. A little prayer never hurt anyone, especially medical professionals.
It’s better to rely on prayer and faith, as well as the loving service that is provided to those in desperation, to get through tough situations like the one faced by assisters in Haiti. Money is a nice thing, but, like every other man-made thing, it will eventually disappear and all that will be left are people to help each other.
In times like the current Haiti disaster, money can buy needed resources and transportation for assistance, but WHY are the volunteers asking for a salary ? What are they going to spend their salaries on in Haiti?
If you want a salary, STAY HOME and work at your job. If you want to volunteer, go forth with a heart full of love and a mind not set on making money, but to help those who are not in a position to help themselves.
There are plenty out there with jobs that pay. Volunteers are they that TRULY make a difference.
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