Joining a non-government organization, just like any other organization, is not an easy decision to make. It may require us sacrifice, it may give us headaches, but at the end of the day, the feeling that we have - to reach out to those that are in need — when we help the poor undermines the hardships we need to face.
 
John Gabriel Valera, a volunteer who dedicated his time to teach the unfortunate children and actively advocates for equity. “I have been volunteering for almost a decade and it makes me glad that people in our age [generation Z] are now recognizing the importance of what we do,” Valera said when asked regarding his opinion about the appreciation toward volunteerism today. 
 
Valera shared his guides and advice to people who are interested and to those who are uncertain with the idea and action of volunteerism: 
 
Give enough 
 
“Giving is a part of Filipino culture. Filipinos’ strength and weakness is empathy — a characteristic that can be seen in any situation. Mas mainam na handa kang magbigay sa NGO na more than yourself and body lang. Kapag mahal mo ang ginagawa mo, ang craft mo, kailangan mong ilaan ang resources mo dito. May it be your energy, time, or most importantly, financial capacity.” 
 
[Giving is a part of Filipino culture. Filipinos’ strength and weakness is empathy — a characteristic that can be seen in any situation. It would be better if you can give more than yourself and your body in an organization. If you do not love what you do, you must give your resources. May it be your energy, time, or most importantly, financial capacity.]
 
 
Joining an NGO is not a one-way ticket to fame. We are servant leaders. 
 
“Kaya sa pagsama sa isang org [organization] na ang focus ay mga tao, mahihirapan kang pagtakpan ang ‘malasakit’ mo sa iba. Mararamdaman at mararamdaman talaga kung genuine ka sa iyong gusto, makikita yan, at hindi mo maitatago if you vested interest for your own sake. Kaya be humble at isapuso talaga lagi na ‘serving is not all about us’, but all about them [the people].”
 
[Joining organizations which focus on people, you will have a difficulty to coat your “concern” to others. It will be felt if you are genuine with what you do, it will be seen, and not hidden if you vested interest for your own sake. With that, be humble and take it to the heart that ‘serving is not all about us’, but all about the people.]
 
Grab it while it is there.
 
“Joining an organization is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Hindi mo na maibabalik ang panahong maaring nagamit mo sa makabuluhang bagay, katulad ng pagsama sa organization. There are people who I met and became a professional — through his tenacity in volunteering, nakilala niya ang mga nagpa-aral sa kaniya.” 
 
[Joining an organization is a once in a lifetime opportunity.  You cannot take back the time wherein you use your time for meaningful deeds, like joining an organization. There are people who I met and became a professional — through his tenacity in volunteering, he met an individual who sponsored his academics.] 
 
It pushes us to our boundaries and limits to build us, not to punish us.
 
“Nandito ang mga organisasyon to hone your skills. Hindi sapat ang apat na sulok ng klase. Kailangan din natin ng training para mas maging mahusay tayo sa mga gagawin natin sa ating paligid. Joining an organization improves our way of thinking and it builds our character.” 
 
[Organizations are here to hone your skills. The four sides of the classroom are not fully sufficient. There is a need for training to enhance the people with their actions along the surroundings because joining an organization improves our way of thinking and it builds our character.]
 
Joining organizations will push us to meet people who inadvertently become a part of our lives permanently. 
 
“Mas gugustuhin nating may makakasama tayo in times of hardships. Mas magandang habang maaga pa lang e malawak na ang connections natin. We will never know when we will need those. Lifelong ang friendships in between orgmates.” 
 
[We prefer to be with someone in times of hardships. It would be better to build broader and wider connections natin. We will never know when we will need those. Lifelong ang friendships in between orgmates.” 
 
In the end, the responsibility is to think less of oneself and more of other people. Volunteers are here not to serve ourselves, but to serve them — the people, of whom we care so deeply. Now, once you connect yourself with these advices and guides, you are more than ready to pour your heart out for others.