Hello guys!
Since I am on my GAP year, of course, I want to work and make an earning. However, I also want to fill it up with new experiences and do things I wouldn't have had the time to do since I always dedicated my time to education.
One of these things was in fact volunteering! I always liked the idea of it, dedicating your free time and energy to help someone or someplace - sounds awfully nice doesn't it! Plus I figured it would look incredible on my CV as a reference for when I look for a permanent job after college. So since I knew that I wasn't going to start my work until a weeks time I decided to pop into the Jack and Jill foundation shop that's in my local area. Jim the manager was more than welcoming and let me jump on board for the week. I went in from 2(ish) until 4.30 in the evening and worked with Jim and Ben & Harry who are in their fourth year of secondary school. Now despite my initial excitement to start the following day I was a bit nervous, would I settle in alright there? Would it be odd since I was the only female? How would I get on with two younger guys?
However from the moment I stepped into the shops 'office', I felt at ease. Jim was more than welcoming and so were Ben and Harry. The four of us formed quite the peculiar tight clique and meshed so well despite our age differences. Soon I learned that as Jim said, the key to enjoying the work was to have fun- and that's exactly what we done. The office soon became our main hub in the tiny shop. There we rummaged through the stuff that we were given and sorted it out. The boys were always up for modelling a few of the 'interesting' pieces and we giggled away. Jim was such a joy to be around and work with. He's the dream manager that anyone could want- fun and has such a contagious laugh yet cares very much about his job. Alongside the office shenanigans, I sorted out the floor by reorganizing the clothes racks and re-decorating the dainty display since that wasn't really the boys forte. We all brought something different to the table and that's why we were never bored and always amused as we went about doing our tasks.
The five days the 3 of us volunteered for, flew. When it came to the last day we were all sad to leave, however the boys luckily were intending on going once a week for their Gaisce! I on the other hand loved it so much that I decided I'd go in when I'm free- which would (hopefully) be once weekly.
So not only did I leave with the pleasure of having helped the foundation, but I also had the greater pleasure of making new friends aswell as new memories. Now we're all still friends, I even pop in to say hello before or after my work shift as I wait for the bus.
I couldn't be more happier to have volunteered for a foundation, let alone there with such amazing individuals. I certainly intend on continuing in the future when I can.
Habiba x
