Dr & Mrs gonzi - MaltaRightNow.com

| ISSUES |Don’t hold back...you will not regretit... get involved inwhat you REALLYbelieve in!!JPI believe thatvolunteering isthe commitmentto giving time andquality work in anarea which requiresit but cannotafford due to socialcircumstances.PAMHave your views of what volunteering is and involves, changedover time?Pam: To a certain extent I would say yes. Moreagencies are aware that certain jobs need to be doneby professionals and therefore the volunteers thatthey choose need not only have the commitment ormotivation to do voluntary work, but also the skillsrequired to do it.JP: Yes, definitely. The demands, the scene, andthe dynamics of the way it is done, are constantlychanging, and it is all a learning process!How would you define volunteering today?Pam: I believe that volunteering is the commitment togiving time and quality work in an area which requiresit but cannot afford due to social circumstances.JP: Giving time to a cause, working with otherstowards the attainment of a common goal!How do you juggle between your personal and familycommitments and voluntary work?Pam: All I can think of when I see this question iswhere there is a will there is a way. I know that itis not easy to try and cope with everything in lifeand sometimes it feels impossible. However, thesatisfaction I get out of making the children happyeven for that little time in the week makes me find theenergy to carry on.JP: Getting my partner involved definitely did help,even though sometimes it may not be such a good abalance!! But it keeps things going.Are your family and friends supportive of your volunteeringengagements?Pam: Yes very.JP: Yes, very! I definitely wouldn’t be able to do itotherwise!The myth goes that you get more than you give in voluntarywork. How true is this in your case?Pam: The concept of receiving anything in return forvoluntary work is paradoxical as this would defeat theconcept. Having said that I believe that it is very hardnot to get a sense of satisfaction out of the realisationthat you can make a positive and tangible influence insomeone’s life.JP: Yes, absolutelyRecently, the notion of charity has been widely challenged,moving towards one of empowerment. Please discussPam: Coming from a psychological background,means that empowerment is a priority in all my work.I believe that rather than challenging charity as aconcept, it would be more purposeful to challengecertain types of charity in particular situations. I feelthat my work as a teacher provides the children witha healthier self concept, which they can then apply toother areas in their life.JP: I agree totally with this philosophy, but havingsaid that one does not necessarily have to replace theother, since charity work done in the right way canlead to empowerment. It is all about the role you seeyourself taking!Is power involved in relationship with clients?Pam: I believe that it is not a question of power buthow power is distributed and how it is exercised. Inmy position as a teacher a certain amount of expert orreferent power is present but my professionalism helpsme use that power in a healthy way such as to keepdiscipline in class.JP: Sometimes yes, but it all depends on the waypower is managed, to ultimately benefit the client group.Does the fact that money is not involved, limit what a person isready to do?Pam: If a person is affected by the issue of moneythen that person is not ready to volunteer.JP: What he is ready to do, absolutely NO. But moneydoes matter sometimes, in terms of what he/she isable to do, since projects do involve money.Do you feel that youth today are increasingly apathetic and lessinterested in volunteering?Pam: I do not believe that such a generic statementcan be made as in my line of work I have a lot ofcontact with youths who are ready to give up their timeand energy to commit to a cause.JP: Maybe sometimes yes, but you really cannotgeneralise. Many young people like myself areengaged in voluntary work.A dead end well paying job or a rewarding voluntary workexperience?Pam: If I won the lottery I would definitely choosea rewarding voluntary work experience, but till thathappens, I guess it has to remain a mix of both Iguess!JP: A rewarding voluntary work experience any time…if only I could make a living off it...Any tips for those thinking about volunteering?Pam: The only thing I can say is to keep MotherTheresa as a role model and to say it in her words, “Itis not the magnitude of our actions but the amount oflove that is put into them that matters.”JP: Don’t hold back... you will not regret it... getinvolved in what you REALLY believe in!! L&s | DECEMBER ’07 7