On the occasion of the International Women’s Day (8th of March), we have gathered some personal testimonies from female volunteers from across the globe. We will be posting these testimonies throughout the week. Read them and get inspired!
By Sanja Krcunovic, Serbian Red Cross Volunteer
When I was twelve, young Red Cross volunteers dressed in nice shirts came one day to my school. They were collecting books, notebooks, and
Sanja Krcunovic, Serbian Red Cross volunteer
clothes where we had more than we needed; anything that was usable and in fine condition to donate to children that did not have anything. They told us how we could help. What I remember very well is that they finished their talk with a sentence: “Someone`s `little’ can be a lot to somebody who doesn’t have even a little.”
I guess that was the first time that my young brain was seriously challenged. All the way home I was thinking about this. When I came home, I shared my thoughts with my mom and I thanked her and dad for giving me everything, for being there for me, for making me happy. My mother smiled with satisfaction, gave me a big hug and told me that it was a big moment. It was great I realized how lucky I am, but I should never forget that somewhere out there, there are girls and boys not as lucky as I am. So I decided to take action, I chose some nice things and brought them the next day to the indicated place. That’s how it all started and now I can say that it was the best day of my life! Not due the act itself, but because then I became member of Red Cross and I realized that everyone I met there were thinking exactly like me. Their proclamation at my school soon became my motto and guidance through life.
Volunteering for the Red Cross made me realize that I am part of the biggest humanitarian family in the whole world. From this moment on, every action, every camp, every seminar, every person I met and every minute I spent volunteering in the Red Cross became my spring of knowledge, unconditional giving, and love.
Many positive things came out of my Red Cross engagement. Volunteering for the Red Cross inspired me to become a doctor. I cannot imagine another profession with more purpose to human life than this. I also met my other half, who shares my passion for volunteering and humanitarian work. We have both been volunteers for many years and we plan to pass the spirit of volunteering to our children as one of the most valuable legacies a person can leave for his/her offspring.
