In Brazil, thousands of people live in situations of social vulnerability, facing challenges such as homelessness, food insecurity and difficulties in accessing education and healthcare.
Although there are more than 800,000 Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Brazil, including NGOs, foundations and non-profit associations, most of them depend on public funds and donations to exist.
Given this scenario, volunteering plays a fundamental role in the work carried out by these organizations, driving significant changes both in the lives of those they serve and in those of the volunteers themselves.
But the transformation generated by volunteering goes beyond immediate support. Many people served by these organizations find new perspectives on life, breaking cycles of poverty and exclusion.
How many stories have we told here of beneficiaries who, after taking charge of their lives, returned to the NGOs as volunteers? The intention is to give back what they received at another time: love, knowledge, willingness to help and acceptance.
At SOMAR (Solidariedade em Marcha) in São Paulo, the presence of volunteers in all the organization's projects is a fundamental element in the success story built up over the years with the residents of Jardim Felicidade. And for the volunteers, this experience is also enriching.
In addition, there are concrete benefits, such as the development of leadership, teamwork and communication skills. And volunteers don't always work directly with the people they help. Like Miguel Sieh, who has been donating his knowledge for years to help build a strategically structured SOMAR.
The positive impact of volunteer work is undeniable. Whether through teaching, welcoming or the simple act of listening, every volunteer makes a difference. And as more people join this cause, the social work of NGOs and CSOs grows stronger, creating a wave of solidarity and transformation.
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