Meet Teresa, a volunteer at EdConnect (Australia), sharing their journey as part of our ‘Share Your Story’ series.
Finding New Purpose in Volunteering
“Like every person affected in the universe in early 2020, so was I. However, I am so pleased to herald to that same world that the pandemic and its aftermath initiated my new journey in life! The cosmos certainly changed and so did its populace – instead of being more tolerant and respectful in uncertain times, I found it to be to the contrary and, in my line of employment, the situation was the worst it had ever been in my close to five decades of employment – both from the employer and the employee perspective. My health commenced to decline somewhat and after careful consideration, I resolved to resign from the company with whom I had held a position for over twenty years.”
The Search for a New Path
“I thought that, being only a few years short of formal retirement age, I would be able to enjoy leisurely days relishing in my abandoned hobbies, writing a book to my grandchildren on my life in the 1960s versus theirs as it currently is, and just tinkering around. Three months into being at home, I was feeling quite unmotivated, downhearted, and deflated with each passing day appearing endless. My daughter suggested looking into volunteering in the aged care sector and this I did do, but on reading the ‘fine print,’ the butterflies in my persona were fluttering me further away from the idea as I did not sense that this was the domain that suited me.”
Discovering EdConnect
“One evening whilst casually searching online, I happened to view a volunteering advertisement placed by EdConnect (Australia) which literally woke me to the core. The organisation was seeking a Classroom Learning Support Volunteer and after reading over it several times, with enduring doubts and a sprinting heart, I responded to the same and forwarded a short overview of my work experience to the organisation. In due course, I was contacted by EdConnect (Australia) Local Liaison Officer, Rhonda Velkovski, and thereafter partook in a Zoom interview. Even at this point, I felt that if my application was successful, I had finally found my passion, albeit in my ‘third age.'”
A Passion for Teaching
“Reflecting profoundly on what Emily Dickinson quoted, ‘We turn not older with years, but newer every day,’ I intuited and acknowledged within that I still had patience, resilience, and endurance to offer these traits to the world at large and this I was intent on doing! I need to state at this point in time and for the records, that during my secondary school education through teenagehood, my career choice was in fact to study Teaching; regrettably, due to family circumstances, this did not eventuate.”
Enriched by Volunteering
“2024 is the third year that I have endowed my time within the same primary school, my life totally enriched with the sheer joy that evokes in my being when I walk into the classroom with the twenty or so children warmly greeting me. They illuminate my volunteering days with their laughter, vitality, and mind strength, some of them accustomed to arduous and long-term challenging circumstances which I had no idea existed. We often hear the words ‘less fortunate than ourselves’ but palpability is most unquestionably the eye-opener.”
Making a Difference
“Whenever I see a child reciprocate my smile, well… the sensation in my being is totally exhilarating! I know albeit it is not a vast amount of time I do afford to each child to support them and further, notwithstanding that it is small-scale, I strongly believe that it will still give these young people a relevant stance of opportunity that they may not ever have otherwise. I have personally seen individual growth in some of the children’s desire to learn as often they do not have the continual support at home for various reasons and even if overcome, strive to achieve further, hence a total sense of unreserved satisfaction overwhelms me to the extreme knowing that I have aided them along with faith, hope and encouragement to ensure they achieve their envisioned success. Yes, my old bones creak and ache but I still dance in the classroom when it’s time to do so and, more importantly, my heart and mind experience rejuvenation being surrounded by youth in its prime.”
Encouragement to Future Volunteers
“I urge anyone who has qualms about their ability (which I most certainly had), to remove them completely. EdConnect (Australia) is an organisation which truly cares about its volunteers, students, and schools – it is the bridge that connects by supporting, engaging, and reassuring relationships with young people. For those wishing to join the organisation, know that you will be supported with a learning induction program, relevant topic learning sessions as well as informal face-to-face catch-ups where volunteers can meet and chat – a most wonderful opportunity to acquaint and glean information from like-minded people, simultaneously broadening your overall knowledge.”
A Call to Action
“Allow YOURSELF to be the transformation in the education of a child or young person’s life as they are our FUTURE! EdConnect (Australia) and our hereafter generation need and want YOU to help them achieve and succeed! My life is so significantly enhanced these days and this I owe to EdConnect (Australia), with immeasurable gratitude.”
Photo Description: This is me standing outside the school where I volunteer my time.
