Volunteering is an activity that the author enjoys and finds personally fulfilling. They have volunteered with organizations focused on environmental issues, vulnerable groups, and people with disabilities. Through volunteering, the author has gained creativity, awareness of social issues, empathy, and a sense of how to enact positive change. It has contributed to their personal and professional development by enhancing these qualities and teaching important life lessons.

1. SHOW US AN ACTIVITY YOU ENJOY DOING. TELL US HOW
YOU THINK IT CONTRIBUTES TO YOUR PERSONAL AND
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
By Alexandra Mar
I E A P P L I C A T I O N

2. Volunteering

3. Volunteering (or Social Service as referred to in Mexico) is an activity
that I'm very fond of ever since I first came across with it in elementary
school.
The first programs I participated in where related to ecology: recycling,
reforestation, water preservation, for example. These programs were
life‐changing because I got to experience on first‐hand some of the
current environmental issues, and more importantly, I learned that I
could make a difference.

4. As I grew older, I had the opportunity to participate in several programs
regarding different social and environmental issues that are a reality to
Mexican society. At this point I discovered my passion when it came to
volunteering was related to vulnerable groups that encountered some
sort of disadvantage or inequity.
Afterwards, I tried to participate in every program that I found that
involved said topic and got really involved in the CAS (Creativity,
Action, Service) department in my school.

5. I started participating with an association called "Colonias de
Vacaciones I.A.P." whose work is taking kids (between the ages of 6‐
14) with low economic possibilities on a vacation for a week.
That week is filled with activities designed to promote special abilities
on the kids to help them grow on a personal level.
A week might seem like little time, but trust me, it does wonders on the
kids and the community they come from (they are all from the same
school/town, etc.).
The preparation for every "Colonia" is over a month beforehand, and
two weeks afterwards for feedback.

6. Whenyoubecomeapartof
it,yougetassignedagroup
(designatedbyage) andyou
gettodoalltheactivities
withthem

7. Itisincrediblygratifyingthatafteraweekyoucanhavesuch
positiveimpactonotherpeople'slife,andalsoplantaseedof
inspirationincitingthattheytoocanpropagatesuchgrowthwith
otherpeopleclosetothem.

8. Afterwards,IstartedvolunteeringinKadimaA.C.whichisan
organistationthatpromotesacorrectdevelopment,and
increasedlifequalityofpeoplewithspecialneedsordisabilities.
Kadimaisnotlimitedbyage,gender,religion(evenifitisajewish
organization),culture,etc.
Icurrentlyparticipateinitssection"AdultLife" whichlooksoutfor
peopleover17yearsoldandhasseveralactivities,workshops,
aids,forthemtobeabletobeself-sufficientinspiteoftheirspecial
needs.Theseactivitiesaremostlyfocusedonthemfindingajob,
beingabletocommit,learnworkethics,andgeneratetheirown
income.

9. Ontheartworkshop,forexample,theycanselltheirartworkto
generateasourceofincome

10. Itisreallyniceparticipatinginseveralactivitiesofthisinsitution.
Itisamutualprocessoflearningwiththemandthroughthem.
Kadimaisopenonweekdaysanditsintegrantsgothereona
dailybasis,generatingaroutine,promotingstability.

11. Volunteering has helped me
grow in the following ways:

12. It has enhanced my creativity by trying to find
different activities/products to generate certain
outcome.
It has made me more aware of the current
situations that need to be fixed in my country,
and given me a perspective to address certain
situations; made me more critical.
It has showed me a different panorama that has
changed the way I think about quotidian events
that are presented in my life. It has widened my
vision and increased my sense of diversity.

13. It has made me more empathic. It has warmed my
heart in so many ways, in so many situations. It
has showed me a different sense of gratitude. It
has managed to amaze me when it comes to
mankind.
It has showed me that people can make a
positive change.
It gives me a sense of justice and equity. It
has made me a more committed person, and
also, a more organized person.

14. Thank
You!
Volunteering has helped shape the person I am
today. For all those lessons and people I've met, I'm
incredibly grateful.