For many their humanity has been reduced to statistics and numbers about migration, for me they are children. One year ago, when my family and friends congratulated me on my brave choice and asked me why I took the decision to spend one-year volunteering in a shelter for unaccompanied minors, I could not find an easy answer.
I am not brave. I am not better than others. I don’t have superpowers. I am fully aware that my actions will not create much change in the geopolitics of the world. People will continue to flee from war and suffer because of violation of human rights. Deciding to do this experience can bring a lot of joy and sadness at the same time. When the minors disclose something about their past and the violence they experienced, most of the time, I feel powerless and unable to help. Turning negative feelings into acceptance of situations that we cannot change and focusing on being positive is the key that can make the difference in keeping high motivation and commitment.
Today, after one year spent volunteering at Hope For Children, I understood that finding an answer to that question was easier than I thought. All the volunteers and employees that I met dedicate their time and energy to this cause as they believe that the life of every child (and of every human being) matters. We decide to do this simply because we are humans.