Routes to Roots: Risk Your Life. Save Another.
Sharing Volunteers’ Stories of Survival
Volunteering is a powerful way to make a difference in the world. Countless individuals travel across the globe, dedicating time and effort to support others, often without monetary compensation. Their impact is monumental.
One anonymous Vinspired volunteer understands this firsthand. As a refugee from Darfur, this volunteer was given a new lease on life when a team of international volunteers helped him relocate to London. This was not just a geographical shift but a chance to live in peace and build a promising future.
The Routes to Roots campaign is about highlighting such transformative stories of survival through volunteering. From escaping conflict to forging lifelong friendships, volunteering has been pivotal in creating lifelines.
Volunteers Risked Their Lives to Help Me
Arriving in London as a refugee from Darfur in 2007 at the age of 16, I was placed into care. My life changed forever when a group of British students, collaborating with the Red Cross, offered invaluable support in the refugee camp.
Their courage and dedication inspired my passion for volunteering. Encouraged by my social worker, I began my volunteering journey with Croydon Voluntary Action.
How I Helped My New Community
Since joining CVA, I’ve:
- Managed a pop-in center for elderly residents in Croydon.
- Served on the Croydon Youth Action Team to recruit other young volunteers.
- Led a Green Hope environmental campaign at my college, successfully securing funding and initiating a college-wide environmental policy.
What I Gained from Volunteering
Volunteering gave me the confidence and motivation to complete my school exams and earn a place at university. Five years ago, I could barely speak English. Volunteering not only improved my language skills but also helped me integrate into a new culture.
Most importantly, I learned to understand people better. Initially, the cultural differences were daunting, but volunteering allowed me to become part of a community.
Today, I continue to work with CVA and my university’s volunteering society, where I am also pursuing a degree in international relations, along with a part-time job. For me, volunteering is not about building skills or enhancing my CV; it’s about helping others.
When people ask why I volunteer, they’re often surprised. But I always say, “I wouldn’t be here if someone hadn’t helped me, so I want to help others too.” You cannot truly appreciate the value of helping someone until you try it.
Help Your Community Retrace Their Roots. Get involved with the Routes to Roots campaign.