Volunteering is best described by Rabindranath Tagore, who said, “I slept, and I dreamed that life is all joy. I woke and I saw that life is all service. I served and I saw that service is joy.”

Volunteers have positively impacted the presence of Caritas India in India and complimented its mission of reaching the unreached. International Volunteering Day held great significance for Caritas India, as it is one of the organization’s four primary strategic pillars. We at Caritas India salute its Samaritans and every year acknowledge their contribution. IVD was adapted by Caritas India as “VOLUNESIA”. The significance of of International Volunteering Day which falls on December 5. 2023 is honouring and recognising the efforts of our Volunteers for their contribution to society through our developmental programme. This December, Caritas India observed International Volunteer Day with her Volunteers through our Cluster programme.

Under the Surokhit Shaishav programme support by BMZ observed the significance of this day on 16th Dec 2023 with the presence of Bishop of Bagdogra Most. Rev. BP Vincent Aind, Anugyalaya Darjeeling, Bal Suraksha Abhiyan and Seva Kendra Siligu. 30 volunteers from the programme Child Club and Mother’s Collective were facilitated for their contributions. The Volunteers spoke about their experience, what motivated them to join the programme and their learning from being a part of the programme. They shared that after getting associated with this programme they have become very confident and have learnt to talk about their rights in front of others. One of the unique features of this event was the session anchoredchor and moderated by a volunteer itself from Child Club Ms. Ishneha. The programme has also given a platform for their volunteers to enhance their growth and talent.

Adding on more from the eastern region, we have Gram Nirman programme supported by Caritas Australia observed IVD on December 15 and 16, 2023, at Maplewood Hotel in Ranchi, Jharkhand, and the Hotel Landmark in Raipur, Chhattisgarh. This was a very special day for all the volunteers who selflessly help to maintain the seamless operation of the Gram Nirman programme in 165 villages spread over 11 districts in both states. There have been 70 volunteers (both male and female) that take part in the event.

All these volunteers were chosen based on the parameters- Sharing of knowledge (traditions & programme), animation ability & dialogue with local duty bearers. In keeping with the global concept “if everyone did,” the team has rejuvenated and re-sensitized the active group of volunteers to carry on their altruistic work for the benefit of their own community, the state, and the country as a whole. Mr. Nikhil (Program Lead – Gram Nirman) set the context with the aim of fostering mutual learning. He cited the example and shared that over 12,000 people in our nation lose their lives every day from not being able to get blood during medical treatment because there is a deficiency of volunteers who can donate blood. “What volunteers do is a big work,” he continued. He urged each volunteer to maintain their positive attitude and to carry out their altruistic deeds without hesitation. Every volunteer expressed their goals for their village as well as their plans for achieving them. Everyone expressed a desire to support traditional agricultural knowledge, assist with anganwadi centres, encourage breastfeeding and pregnant women to receive regular immunisations, plant trees, improve village hygiene and sanitation, assist with facilitation programmes, etc. For their steadfast and unselfish assistance over the course of the last three years, Caritas India honoured each of the 70 volunteers a certificate of appreciation and traditional shawls as a token of gratitude and solidarity.

Heading to Northern region, we have Samvaad programme supported by Messio observed the importance of Voluneer day on 20th Dec in Bareilly Dioceses Suchetna with 33 volunteers & 21st Dec 2023 in Agra Dicesan od Social Services with 25 volunteers. An event dedidcated to express gratitude to the volunteers who have been instrumental in Caritas India’s programs while fostering a sense of togetherness, recognition, and celebration. The event emphasized on the essentials of Volunteering, why it is important and how one can volunteers. These 53 volunteers are engaged in disseminating peace and harmony message through skirt. The volunteers were facilitated with an momento for their contribution towards Samvaad programme along T shirt to enhance the visibility as CI Volunteer.

From Western regiona, we have Jeevan programme supported by Miseroer held Volunesia 2023 program on 20th Dec at Bosco Gramin Vikas Kendra Kedgaon, Ahmednagar where Fr. Goerge D’abreo, Director of BGVK gave the welcome key note. The event marked the role of a volunteer in social life, what are the qualities of a volunteer and reflected on the awe-inspiring acts of kindness and the miracle that happens when we work together towards a common purpose. The women shared their experiences of working as volunteers and how they are supported by their families. Today, they have created their own identity. How people respect them and how they have become a source of inspiration for others. 48 volunteers were facilitated with a certificate and 9 volunteers were facilitated with momento for their contribution to Jeevan programme-full involvement as volunteer, support in mobilising resources and visibility of the programme.

Every volunteer felt loved, accepted, appreciated and the day filled them with gratitude and the resolve to continue doing their best in their mission. Representatives from Centre for Social Action, Aurangabad Diocese Social Service, Poona Diocese Social Service and Janhit Trust Vasai jointly facilitated the event with Caritas India.

From Southern region, VOLUNESIA, the volunteers gathering programme, was organized on 18th Dec to celebrate and recognize the efforts of volunteers in Palghat. The major objectives of the event was to acknowledge the invaluable contributions of the volunteers, to showcase the solidarity strength of the volunteers for the social change, to get orientation and training on volunteering, how the volunteering makes social impacts, to form the group driven and need based future activities.

Approximately 150 volunteers gathered for the programme which aimed to raise awareness about the importance of saying no to cancer and drugs. The event started with a rally led by the volunteers, carrying placards with slogans on cancer and drug abuse. The programme was jointly facilitated with Palghat DSSS – Welcome address from Fr. Justine Kolamkannil, Executive Director of PSSS, and Presidential address from Rev. Fr. Jaison Kollannor, the Forane Vicar of Vadakkencherry Forane and inauguration of the event by Rev. Fr. Jacob Mavunkal, the Executive Director of KSSF.

In addition to the training programme, a Christmas celebration was also organized for the volunteers. The programme concluded with the cutting of the Christ cake and Santa’s carol, enhancing the festive and joyful atmosphere. It provided an opportunity for volunteers to bond and commemorate the spirit of Christmas together. As a gesture of appreciation, a meal of happiness was arranged for all the volunteers to further strengthen the sense of camaraderie and unity among them.

The VOLUNESIA programme successfully brought together a substantial number of volunteers from various backgrounds to celebrate the importance of volunteering work. VOLUNESIA was an outstanding event that not only recognized the contributions of volunteers but also emphasized the significance of addressing social issues. It showcased the power that volunteers possess in making a positive impact on their communities. The programme served as a reminder of the importance of volunteering and community building in creating a better and more inclusive world for everyone.