The Role of Voluntary Work and Charity in Modern People’s Life

Life in the 21st century is impossible without voluntary actions which have always played an important role in our society. It is thought to be true because all of us benefit from charitable activity: those who receive help as well as those who give support. Hypothesis

My aim is to define the role of volunteering in modern society. The tasks:  to clarify the meaning of the terms “volunteer”, "volunteering", "charity" and “altruism";  to identify the characteristics of a true volunteer;  to find celebrities in Russia and abroad whose life is an example of charity and volunteering;  to determine the role of volunteer and charitable activities for the two population groups: those who provide care, and those who accept it. Aim and Tasks

Volunteering is an altruistic activity, intended to improve human quality of life. People also volunteer for their own skill development, to meet others, to make contacts or to have fun. Charity means money or help given because of kindness and generosity towards people who are poor, sick or in difficulties. So, I can conclude that both concepts are based on the altruistic human qualities but the difference is that while charity implies material assistance, volunteer work includes all types of help. Difference between charity and volunteering

Altruistic human activities pierce all spheres of our life where voluntary work is highly demanded  Help to the lonely and the disabled  Help to nature  Emergency disasters  Education  Health care  Show business Spheres of life where voluntary work is required

 Responsible  Responsive  Communicative  Courteous  Organized  Hardy Portrait of an ideal volunteer

What do Volunteers Give to Others  Time – your extra time can brighten the life of a person in need.  Experience - you could share your skills with other people.  Wisdom - life knowledge is a wonderful gift to bring to volunteering.  Patience – it can greatly enhance the quality of life for someone who is isolated or ill.

The British Royal family : Queen Elizabeth the II donated money from her personal funds to help victims of cyclones. Princess Diana during her lifetime was President or Patron of over 100 charities. Prince William and Kate Middleton visited the hospital Marsden, which has long been under the patronage of William Help From Celebrities

Michael Jackson The King of Pop more than 20 years helped to hospitals and orphanages. Angelina Jolie Since 2001, Jolie has been on field missions around the world and met with refugees and internally displaced persons in more than 20 countries Bill Clinton set up a foundation to provide people with help for a number of humanitarian causes. Help From Celebrities

The leading countries by the number of volunteers are:  New Zealand  The United States of America  Australia  EU countries Russia takes the 138th place by the number of volunteer activities. The population that participates in voluntary actions:  France - 19% of volunteers  Germany - 34% of volunteers  Japanese - 26% of volunteers  Ireland - 33% of volunteers Statistics

Russian Celebrities Give a Helping Hand Andrey Arshavin In May 2005, Arshavin visited the SOS Children's Village near St. Petersburg and delighted the children by bringing along souvenirs, signing autographs, visiting a family house and playing a match of football with them.

Russian Celebrities Give a Helping Hand Chulpan Khamatova organizer of foundation “Gift Of Life”. Her example of voluntary help is one of the brightest in Russia. The organization raised over £15 million children received support during 2010.

Russian Celebrities Give a Helping Hand The Russian actress Dina Korzun is also a cofounder of the foundation “Gift Of Life”.

Volunteer assistance plays an important role for the needy:  They get a chance to live a normal life  Their life becomes easier  They can feel relief  They find a stimulus to further life Conclusion

Volunteers can:  Enhance or develop their skills  Find new talents  Meet new people and establish new contacts  Learn something  Discover more about themselves Conclusion

«Who's happier? The uniters or the dividers? The builders or the breakers? The givers or the takers? I think you know the answer» Bill Clinton