“You must give some time to your fellow men. Even if it’s a little thing, do something for others—something for which you get no pay but the privilege of doing it.”
Albert Schweitzer
Volunteers have always played a significant role in the life of Szatyor Association.
As an organization that both sends and hosts volunteers, we take this special day as an opportunity to celebrate and, hopefully, promote the spirit of volunteering.
Why is today a special day?
Today, December 5, is International Volunteer Day!
This day has been celebrated since 1985, when it was introduced by the United Nations to acknowledge the work of volunteers and encourage community participation worldwide. According to 2024 surveys, approximately one billion people around the world engage in volunteer work.
What does volunteering mean?
Volunteering involves activities that can be done individually or in groups. While it offers no monetary compensation, it provides the immense satisfaction of helping others. Volunteering can be a response to a call—a desire to support a community, solve social issues, or strengthen solidarity.
Why volunteer?
Volunteering not only supports the immediate beneficiaries but also contributes to the development of the entire community. Through teamwork, we meet new people, form friendships, and strengthen our sense of social cohesion. Moreover, volunteering allows us to acquire new skills, gain valuable experience, and even explore entirely new roles for ourselves.
Who benefits from volunteering, and how?
- For young people: It offers opportunities to meet others, gain experience, build a career, and even travel!
- For adults: It serves as a community-building and leisure activity.
- For seniors: It keeps them active, both physically and mentally, and gives them a chance to share their life experiences.
“We also need to mean something to others as human beings. So we must step outside of ourselves, our professions, and our environments if we seek to make ourselves useful in a truly human way.”
Albert Schweitzer
The simplest way to volunteer is by acting locally. Rest assured, you don’t need to go far to find a place where your help is welcome. We wholeheartedly encourage everyone who wants to support a cause close to their heart to first look around their local community and see how and where they can get involved!
If you are interested in participating in short- or long-term volunteer programs, whether in Hungary or abroad, you can find more information about applications here:
Finally, we want to express our heartfelt gratitude to all the volunteers who have supported our association and our Hungarian partners. Your dedication and work have made a significant contribution to environmental sustainability. Thank you!