I volunteer because volunteering
has changed my life and my daughter's life.
My name is Selba-Gondoza Luka.
I am originally from Malawi in Central Africa.
Afri-Aus Care is a culturally appropriate mental health organisation
that was established by myself out of lived experiences of the African people.
When I started the organisation, I had depression and generalised anxiety.
When I started helping others, I saw that
healing was very quick, like it was a speedy recovery.
Now, I’m a public speaker. I go to conferences!
Volunteering has helped me to bond with my daughter,
bond with women who are in trouble and bonding with the community.
So they come here to volunteer their hours doing some gardening,
cooking so that we can eat.
There’s English classes where they improve their English, build resumes,
and then we find them jobs.
Sometimes you can tell someone, ‘Oh, come and volunteer’.
Immediately you mention the volunteer part, you turn off their mind.
They have to see.
Volunteer doesn't mean even physical work.
Picking up a phone,
finding out ‘How are you today?’
Volunteering has founded real Selba. Who I am.
I was meant to be a volunteer regardless of what.
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