There are a group of people at Bidi Bidi who have discovered their superpower – their unique contributions to the world, and what they can do to change it. They help to save lives each and every day. That group of people? Our volunteers.
Each morning, ARC volunteers get up before sunrise. They’re driven by car out to the far reaches of the settlement where they work. And they stay there all day long – sometimes even until midnight – making sure that new arrivals are registered and people are getting what they need. They give their time freely and with joy, realizing that to change one person’s life is to change everything.
Their contributions to ARC – and to the refugees living in Bidi Bidi – are immeasurable. And Paul, who manages these volunteers, takes every opportunity to thank them for what they do. So for Day 84, it was Paul’s idea to do something extra special to show our gratitude – throw them a party.
As part of the festivities, Paul wanted to honor a volunteer of the month – someone who embodies the volunteer spirit of the group. And this month, that volunteer is Festo. “He’s a person who never sleeps,” said Paul. Equipped with an eternally optimistic attitude, there’s no problem Festo can’t solve.
Now Paul plans to hold these parties on a monthly basis, honoring someone new each time. “This has really brought hope,” he said, “with this, we have reminded them that the little that we have, we can do so much.”
Sometimes, a kind word, a special moment, or special recognition can do wonders to lift someone’s spirits. To show that they’re valued. That their hard work is seen – and deeply felt. It’s simple, but these parties will go a long way in reminding our incredible volunteers that their superpowers are indeed special. That they have the power to change the world.
