Living as a Volunteer: Born to Work beyond Money

Living as a Volunteer: Born to Work beyond Money
By Annisa Dewi Nugrahani

“Your life and mine should be valued, not by what we take but by what we give” – Edgar Allen.

Permata Dewi Andanti, on her graduation day

It is such an amazement when hearing Permata Dewi Andanti’s story, a fresh-graduate from University of Indonesia, who help others without being paid. The idea ‘volunteering is cool’ brought her to the first voluntary work in college 3 years ago.

“I volunteered for UI Peduli, an activity of helping flood survivor in North Jakarta. It was my first timeand I enjoyed it,” said the 22 years old girl.

Danti believes that it is very awesome to spend the times, not just the leisure times, for life of others. She thinks that it is worth to try and actually is a must.

“At first, Ifelt embarrassed of myself who didn’t use the time really well. I usually spent them for something meaningless,” she admitted. “Until I inspired by my generous friends who gave a lot of their time to help those in need.So, yeah, I think it was nice to join voluntary work.”

After realizing that times have to be spend for something useful, the incapability of government in seeing problems and solutions also motivate her to do more voluntary work.

“The incapability of government to see the problem and the most effective solution is for people to work hand by hand in this collective action also make me more excited to be a volunteer. I figured that the people have more power than representatives,” she added to imply that the best way is not just mocking or criticizing the government but contribute ourselves into an action.

It is never about money since she never gets material for being a volunteer. It is the sense of being useful to people even has to sacrifice her happiness. Moreover, she gets to meet a lot of new people. In addition, she gains many positive values of being a volunteer.

“Meet new amazing people and learn much about stuffs I didn’t know before is another benefits of volunteering. It is beyond money,” she added.

Now, this girl with Psychology Bachelor Degree is one of the volunteers for Safe House, a secret house to helpwomen who become victims of trafficking, sexual abuse, domestic violence, and also gender base assault.

“Let’s go back into our society. Old saying said we need a town to raise a child but we often forget who raise a town. It’s us. Stop taking it as a granted. Why I mention about society because volunteer work is aimed to help society, to enrich a community and society. And that’s the history.”