Here are some testimonial of youth volunteers in the community
Catherine-Maude Grenier-Tourigny, 16 years old,
Jacques-Rousseau high school
I got involved in many volunteering activities such as homework help, the guignolée, line dancing with intellectually disabled people, the Canadian Cancer Society, the Kids with Cancer Society, Amnesty International, the integration of the 8th graders at my school, just to name a few.
When I began the International Studies program, I got bitten by the volunteer bug. In that program, volunteering is required and we are encouraged to vary our activities over the years.
There are so many people around us that need help. Whether that person is close by or at the other end of the world, we can always find a way to help. We have to open our eyes and engage in tangible actions.
When we help, we can learn so much about ourselves! We develop some interests that we didn't have before. By volunteering, I get the feeling I can change the world.
Magalie Ménard,
Notre-Dame-de-Lourdes College, Longueuil
This year, I got involved in the Club 2/3 organization at my school; which is an international cooperation organization. I participated in many fair trade product sales to raise funds that will be sent to Haiti.
I also participated in the Colloque Jeunes Leaders of Club 2/3 which was an exceptional experience. I got involved in volunteering through the International Studies program at my school. My involvement was therefore easy and I was able to appreciate all of the organization's events. At the outset, I get involved to help society and those in need and to carry out numerous projects.
Consequently, getting involved benefits others and yourself and it allows us to actively participate in our community and to have faith in what we are doing.
Béatrice Gervais-Bergeron,
Notre-Dame-de-Lourdes College, Longueuil
My involvement
For me, getting involved defines in part my way of life and who I am. That's why I get involved as much with Amnesty International, francophone section, as I do with Greenpeace. Two years ago, I began my involvement in the Amnesty group at my school and I discovered the best way to improve global welfare: the respect of human rights. I believe in and always defend the philosophy of dignity and universal respect. Whether it's to develop ideas, create projects, protest or even do clerical work, I'm available. It's that kind of involvement that satisfies and teaches me the most. As I mentioned previously, getting involved becomes a way of life and a way of thinking.
Émile Boucher,
Notre-Dame de Lourdes College, Longueuil
My involvement for the community began in my parish district. I provided help to the pastoral team by preparing seating, reading materials and the church services. It was my way of transmitting my faith. I did this for several years while in elementary school and when I began 9th grade, I got involved with Amnesty International. It was a way to offer my help on a larger scale and I found that I shared fundamental values with this organization such as human dignity and the respect of human rights. This is what led me to do class tours, sign petitions and join forces with other activists to prepare youth training.
In my opinion, volunteering allows you to carry out some activities while being rewarded with the gratitude and happiness acquired in the process.
Roxanne Breton, 15 years old
Antoine-Brossard School
When everything is possible
I'm lucky. I sleep in a comfortable bed, I eat to my heart's content and I go to school. I'm lucky because even if we don't always see it, thousands of children don't have access to those things. They have to work long hours in unbearable conditions and because of my passion for justice, I want this to change.
First of all, I did some research to gather information which in turn led me to write articles for the student journal. I loved the experience of defending the interests of oppressed people. And this year, I joined the Club 2/3 at my school. We did a few fair trade sales but the emergency fund raising event to help the Haitian people was the most important. When the person in charge of the Club 2/3 at my school saw my interest in this cause, she nominated me as the representative.
Life is worth living to the fullest by everyone on earth. It's my desire to help that pushed me to do these small gestures.
