Being a translator for Syrian refugees in Canada

In 2015, The Canadian Government decided to receive more than 20,000 refugees to move to Canada and settle down, find a job and raise their children in a safe place. at the time, the demand for a translator who speaks Arabic and English was higher than ever. many of the non-profit organizations were posting an announcement in social media to look for volunteers who will be able to help. Lifeline Syria is one of many organizations who was looking for a volunteer.

I was lucky to work with such good organization that helps people in need 

Helping Foodshare Toronto

Well, after having a great volunteer experience with Scott mission, I have decided to make volunteering as my new hobby that I enjoy. It seems a funny little bit, but really I really enjoy spending my free time volunteering, running and cooking because all of them are what I am passionate about.

in this blog, I will share my volunteering experience at  Foodshare Toronto with you  Toady.  while I was studying at the University of Toronto  In English as a Second Language program, the university has  many clubs for students to join, such as music club, drama club, sports club and volunteering club, where an international student can join any club and use the facilities and socialize with other and improve their language. I was not lucky enough to know what club should I join. However, thanks to my favorite teacher who guide me to the right choice, which is volunteering club. Without her advice, was I be passionate about this new opportunity of volunteering. I remember this as it had happened yesterday. when I enter the club, I saw many students who were competing to get the chance of volunteering. the head of volunteering announced that FoodShare Toronto organization wanted 5 students to help them on that day. I was praying to be one of the 5 students because I want to help them. thankfully, I have selected to be part of the 5  members.

I waked up early on that day. The temperature was -15 degree, I wear my jacket and boots, grab some warm coffee from Tim Horten's, and then went to the FoodShare Toronto building. The staff is the friendliest people I have seen in my life. they introduce themselves to us and give a brief information about Foodshare Toronto such as what they do, who get the benefits, and how they get the donations from the donors. Then, the employee divided the task between us and what should we do. So, we had to prepare food shipment to send it to George brown college. 

My First Volunteer experience in Canada

This was my first step on the #volunteering world. In 2014, I have been to Canada 🇨🇦 to study English as a second language. I was shy and my English language level was intermediate. I asked my teacher about how can I master speaking English in short period of time .. she told me to go and participate in the volunteering club. Today, I am very thankful for her advice because she guided me to the right place where I do the thing that satisfies me. Scott mission is a nonprofit organization that provides help to those who is in need. I participated in sorting and bagging food and clothing for the food bank, also since I loving #cooking I prepared and served meals for homeless in #toronto. For me it was a great experience and definitely, I have learned a lot.

Scott Mission building 

We had to come early on that morning in order to prepare breakfast for the homeless people.
  

We began working in the kitchen first. My group and I were responsible for sorting and packaging fruits, and then before the homeless people leave the building we have to hand one bag to each of them.

After that, we had to move to the donation warehouse to sort the given donations. People are so generous. they gave baby and adult clothing, stationeries, and body care products. I am so proud to have this volunteering opportunity, and  I had learned many things on that day.  Volunteering is not just a task you perform and go, but it is an experience where you will meet people from different culture, background, and interest came together in order to help those who is in need. helping people does not mean that you have to give money only. in fact, there are many ways to help needy. At the end, I felt so satisfied because I knew that I had done that brought a peace of mind to my soul.