“Everybody can be great. Because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and your verb agree to serve. You don’t have to know the second theory of thermodynamics in physics to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.”
Martin Luther King, Jr.
The above mentioned quote beautifully describes volunteering as an act driven by compassion rather than educational degrees. Research has highlighted that volunteering is not just a feel-good notion, but also possesses therapeutic benefits by strengthening the body, uplifting one’s mood, and reducing stress.
For students in school or college, volunteering promises to be an invaluable experience. It is a unique opportunity for them to cultivate and nurture essential life skills, broaden their horizons, and become positive contributors to their societies. Volunteering encourages interactions that go beyond the confines of their classrooms — it helps the youth foster a sense of community as they gain social awareness, which can contribute towards a more cohesive and inclusive society.
Several volunteers, interns and other citizen scientists choose to play an essential role in nature conservation and restoration activities. Not only are they additional workforce for organisations involved, they are also the driving force behind many significant initiatives. They offer essential support, whether through fieldwork, research, administrative tasks, or fundraising, and become crucial components of an NGO’s success.
Students, as volunteers and interns, also bring fresh perspectives and innovative ideas to the organisation. Their unique outlook on conservation challenges us to find new solutions and stay relevant in an ever-evolving field. Engaging students often also leads to long-term relationships between them and the organisation, providing stability and continuity to the organisation’s efforts.
But it doesn’t end here. Student volunteers, interns, and supporters help organisations like ours expand our reach and create networks within diverse communities. They serve as passionate ambassadors, spreading awareness and inspiring others to join the cause. Their involvement attracts more volunteers, donors, and supporters, ensuring our operations thrive.
At Wildlife SOS, we firmly believe in the transformative power of compassion, especially when it comes to improving the lives of animals in need and enriching the lives of our supporters. For nearly three decades, Wildlife SOS has been dedicated to wildlife conservation and welfare, thanks to our remarkable and growing set of volunteers, interns, and supporters. They are the backbone of our organisation, generously contributing their time, resources, and boundless energy to advocate for our cause. This commitment also extends to our younger volunteers, who join us through school or college initiatives. Together, their shared passion empowers us to further our conservation efforts, and leave a lasting impact on animals and those who stand with us.
Our volunteer and internship programmes form a vibrant community of like-minded individuals united by a common purpose: to make a positive and meaningful contribution to our environment. Through our education and outreach initiatives we’ve forged steady partnerships with numerous schools and colleges. These include esteemed institutions such as BMS College of Engineering, VIBGYOR High Golden Bee School, Christ University, St Joseph’s PU College, Stonehill International School, Sarla Birla Academy, Pes University, Ramaiah Institute of Technology, and Neev Academy to name a few.
Students and interns from these institutes actively participate in volunteering activities at our bear and elephant centres, assisting in daily operations, providing in-kind donations (like fruits and honey for meals), and even orchestrating innovative fundraising campaigns within their schools and colleges. Their dedication knows no bounds, as exemplified by Neev Academy’s in-kind donation for Bannerghatta Bear Rescue Centre and their successful fundraising endeavour for Manikdoh Leopard Rescue Centre. Fifth and sixth graders from Stonehill International School in Bengaluru also demonstrated their commitment by raising funds through a dedicated donation drive. These are just a few examples of notable contributions made by student volunteers who actively engaged in our initiatives.
In essence, volunteering and interning are catalysts for optimistic change, shaping a better world for both humans and animals. At Wildlife SOS, we invite you to join this journey of transformation, for which compassion drives our vision and mission.
If you are interested in volunteering with us, please send an email to volunteer@wildlifesos.org and get a chance to be involved with the incredible work we do. Join us in making a difference.
