Michela Galea is from St George’s Parish in Victoria and over the past few months she has been doing voluntary work at Dar Guzeppa Debono in Ghajnsielem as part of her ‘Systems of Knowledge’ project.

Michela has written of her experiences there for everyone to share – An act of enriching your values.

“Many people choose to be volunteers because of the benefits volunteering does on their character. Indeed, volunteers often declare that such experience enriched their personality. This is what actually happened to me.

“When the Systems of Knowledge teacher informed the whole class that each and every one of us was to choose a voluntary work in which we were to give a helping hand, at that moment my mind was a bit puzzled. What was I to choose? Instantly I said to myself: “Dar Guzeppa Debono.” When informing the teacher, the reply was in the positive. At home everyone encouraged me in this choice.

“On the first day I was a bit excited. But at the same time I was eagerly waiting to start this voluntary experience. Ms Maria Attard was waiting in the parlour for me. She gave me a warm welcome and work was to be started immediately. By the way, Dar Guzeppa Debono gives all the attention, love and warmth that every pregnant single mother needs at this delicate process, that is finding yourself pregnant without programming it. Ms Attard showed me round the place and the two of us chatted about the facts that single pregnant mothers go through in their life. Now it was time to start the activities.

“On Sunday 5 February, the first activity organised was to involve ourselves in the Pro-Life Day. In this day, I became well aware how much life ought to be respected from its conception. On that day, other volunteers and myself took part in a symbolic walk to Ta’ Pinu Sanctuary, where along this walk, reflections regarding the value of life were read. We stopped for nine times during this walk. Why was the number nine chosen? Number nine represented the nine stages of how the baby grows in its mother’s womb. It was really interesting. Later on, a Mass was held at Ta’ Pinu Shrine. Time flies quickly and not knowing how, two hours passed and this activity came to an end.

“Hardly had a day passed that I received an email that another activity was to come. This was specifically aimed for us youths. Inside Dar Guzeppa Debono, two speakers, Fr Richard N. Farrugia and Dr Margaret Spiteri, made reflections on the meaning of life from two different aspects.

“Other work included collecting the photos taken during several activities to be printed in a photo album. On another day we visited the residents living in Ghajnsielem. We explained to them the project about spiritual adoption which is being carried out by Dar Guzeppa Debono. At first all seemed strange to the residents. Patiently, we explained to them the meaning of spiritual adoption. It means that any person can pray for a baby who is at risk of abortion and also to pray for pregnant mothers who were expecting their baby. This was a very great initiative.

“I cannot continue writing without mentioning the act of solidarity that we showed to a friend that had lost her mother few months ago. Together we attended a Mass that was celebrated at Marsalforn, Gozo. This was followed by a barbecue at Ghar Qawqla. During this activity, a colleague that represented the whole group presented €303 to Maria Attard. The money were raised during a car wash that we organised in Victoria. It was surely a great satisfaction to see Maria Attard’s beaming face.

“On the feast day of Gesù Nazzarenu, in the village of Xaghra, we celebrated a Mass in which the priest, in his homily chose to talk about life. During the preacher’s talk we were made to realise how each and every one of us was in the mind of the Lord from conception. Moreover, we were also invited by the Xaghra parish priest to attend the Novena during the feast of Marija Bambina. This feast represents the Birth of Our Lady. During the Mass, time was allowed to emphasise on the importance of the value and the respect for life.

“One of the activities that we participated in was the meeting that was organised by Fr Joseph Farrugia. I was so much impressed with what he said. The theme that Fr Joseph spoke about was related to our voluntary work at Dar Guzeppa Debono. The happiness and the sense of pride that I felt were great. From such a meeting, I can declare that now I have become more aware on how voluntary work is essential and valuable in today’s life.

“Much more activities were organised. These included baby-sitting, a live-in organised in Malta and Christmas in August.

I cannot end this article without stating what a valuable experience I have gone through. I had never done voluntary work up till now. A question arises why so many people choose to do voluntary work. What comes to mind is that they feel a sense of pride. And this is just what happened to me!

“One of the obvious reasons why people choose to volunteer is simply because they feel better helping others and doing good. People who have themselves struggled with social issues usually have certain empathy for those in a similar situation and will often wish to help out.

“People who experienced hardships in their life, encourage other who are suffering to adopt a new look at life. Helping others is good and valuable. Many people who volunteer think that they are very lucky to live the way they do and want to give something back to society, as a way of balancing the scales.

How much sympathy and love was stored in my heart, doing such work! How full of knowledge and experience was I, when this voluntary experience came to an end! I was overjoyed and wished to shout happily to mankind how much you receive when giving! Not only this, but I experienced the values of life, like helping others, respecting everyone and showing solidarity with others.

“I can say that this experience has made me a better person. After doing this positive experience, my love to society grew. For sure, I will never stop doing good. The result is that voluntary work makes responsible citizens.

“Doing something without being paid for is a good act. Volunteering is not about money and it should not be measured that way! Volunteering is contagious. Volunteering is beneficial and last but not least, volunteering makes you a better person. Voluntary work is a sign of true love. It is the secret to live a happy life!

“Tears fell from my eyes when this experience came to an end!”

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