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Call me Laizah. I’m a newcomer here in Canada. Having reached, full of passion and eagerness to serve and reach out in my new community as I settle in, I ventured out on a volunteering journey. I was referred to Toronto People With AIDS Foundation (PWA) from Fife House, another sister AIDS service organization. I did not hesitate, in June, 2023 I came calling in at PWA.
I was well received and registered. I arranged with the volunteer coordinator regarding the times I’d be available and started straight away. At PWA, I’m pretty much everywhere; you could find me at the front office/reception or doing intakes or making bookings for the therapeutic clinic or organizing functions like Starry Nights. It’s basically anywhere I’m required to be as the needs of the organization may necessitate from time to time.
Volunteering at PWA to me has been life changing; it has given me not just a somewhat Canadian experience as required in a typical Canadian work place but also has helped shape my perspective about working in Canada and the kind of employee I’d have to be in any organization.
The multinational set up at PWA has opened my eyes to the diverseness of the people and their endearing cultures. I’ve learnt to work with and appreciate the differentness of people and I’ve seen how beautiful it is when many cultures unite for a single cause. In this, I’ve found not just inspiration but also confidence to deal and transact even outside PWA where I have to face people from all walks of life with different cultures and languages.
Volunteering at PWA has been such a blessing that I could never have had in any other better way and in that I have found fulfillment and great satisfaction for people to come seeking help and find me stationed and available to just be that.
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