7 Reasons Why Volunteering with Children is The Most Rewarding Job on The Planet

There’s never been a better time to sign up for an exciting adventure in the world of being an international volunteer! Whether you like the idea of working in Africa with babies or being an orphanage volunteer, Kenya definitely a favourite for many people to realise their dream.  

But what about if this is your first time embarking on a trip like this? What makes working with children so rewarding? We don’t want to put ideas in your head, but we can certainly help you with putting together a clearer picture from our own experiences. Take a look at some of the reasons we can think of that make volunteering with children is such an amazing thing to do.  

1.     You’re responsible for the joy of so many others

When you volunteer with children, you don’t have to make constant grand gestures to show that you’re trying to help. You can do the simplest things and they will make all the difference. Singing nursery rhymes, teaching some new words, even simply devoting some time and attention to children who often lack it can make the biggest difference!  

Remember, it’s you that gives these kids a smile every day when they otherwise wouldn’t, and that really is a huge thing in life! 

2.     You get to be integral in their development

Whether you’re picking up a child when they’ve fallen over and then taught them do approach a situation differently next time, or you’ve shown them how to use a utensil or play a sport, you witness their growth. These are key parts of a child’s development and you’re helping them to become a better, more knowledgeable person. 

3.     Seeing the smiles!

Getting to see the beaming smiles when the children you are volunteering with are happy and simply feeling like they’re in a better place is absolutely incredible – not just for you, but for them too! Knowing that you get to play a role in this pure, joyful part of their lives is something you can cherish for the rest of your life. 

4.     You get to rejoice in the little things each day

As with any volunteering experience, every day brings with it a new excitement. For the children, what will they learn today? What part of their imagination can you reach out to? The list of possibilities is endless, but you are integral to it all. You are, in essence, their very own sidekick, filtering through the building blocks of life. Whether it’s a life lesson or fact they learn in the classroom, you get to rejoice in these little moments, and what’s more, each moment brings light to everyone’s life. 

5.     You’re a crucial part of each child’s development

As the adult in the situation, it will be you who is on hand to teach the children right from wrong. What’s more, you’ll be able to educate them on the importance of how to share, how to learn the meaning of taking turns, and also what the relevance of being kind and considerate at all times is all about. You may not even see it happening, but you’re helping to develop these children with every day that you spend with them. You can shape them into wonderful people for their future selves. 

6.     You are a character builder

By now, you might be starting to grasp just how pivotal your role as a volunteer with children can be, and that’s such a fun and exciting prospect! You will not merely be helping these little ones to develop on an academical level, but also a social one as well as being the one to encourage their personalities and unique traits to shine through. 

7.     You are literally saving lives each and every single day

From stopping them climbing a tree too high and falling, eating food in a way that might harm them to learning how to act around traffic, you’re inadvertently the saviour and preventer of potentially life-changing events. Thank goodness you are there to help! 

Have we missed any that you think we should have included? Let us know in the comments on our social media.