Priceless stories: Nadežda Gavrić
This week, the story of volunteers in Bosnia and Herzegovina takes us to Nadežda Gavrić from Srbac. Nadežda is a first-year student at the Medical Faculty of the University of Banja Luka, but also a hard-working volunteer who has been awarded many times for her work.
She started volunteering mostly because, as she says, she wants to use her free time in the best and most meaningful way possible.
“I started volunteering when I graduated primary school, primarily because I had a lot of free time. I wanted to have a good time, but also to do something good for my community. I was active in school organizations and quite communicative, so working with other people is another factor that attracted me.”
For Nadežda, volunteering is a noble decision that gives multiple benefits to those who volunteer, but also a great way to, as she says, open many paths for the future and do something good right now.
“Volunteering is first and foremost doing good deeds and that is the essence and the greatest value of volunteering. Then comes a quality pastime, meeting other people, as well as the possibility of free travel and training. I have attended numerous trainings that have helped me gain confidence in public speaking, learn how to secure certain funds for projects, write project proposals and how to stand out as a young leader in my community. “
Nadežda’s first volunteer engagement was at a traditional summer concert in Srbac organized by the Association C.E.Z.A.R. Guided by the good experience she gained by volunteering at the concert, she soon joined the Association, and began volunteering at the Red Cross and the NGO Milenijum.
Due to her motivation, work and commitment to the well-being of the community, Nadežda was twice awarded the title of Volunteer of the Year by the Association C.E.Z.A.R. The major himself congratulated her, which further confirmed that the community appreciates her work.
Since then, several years have passed and today this young girl is proud of herself and everything she has gone through and learned by volunteering.
“I am always happy to emphasize and share through my own example how important volunteering is and what I have learned and what experiences I have gained thanks to volunteering. When you hear that famous phrase that our little help/act means a lot to someone, believe me it is really true. It’s amazing how much even seemingly small help can improve lives of people who need it.”
Nadežda plans to dedicate herself to her academic education in the near future, but she also wants to remain active, especially in volunteering.
For all of you reading this, especially for young people, this hard-working volunteer has an important message:
“The most important thing for young people is to be good people in the first place. For me, that would mean that, whenever they are able, they provide help to those who need help, but also to use every opportunity that is given to them. By accepting new opportunities, they will expand their horizons, learn something new and constantly improve“- concludes Nadežda, another motivated young person who invests efforts and time to support her local community and people who need support.
The series “Priceless Stories” is implemented in the spirit of promoting volunteering as an opportunity for individual and community development, and the support that volunteering gives to our society. The series is implemented by the Institute for Youth Development KULT and UN Volunteers in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
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