Volunteer Work

[jlr247]

I volunteered at the shop called Ten Thousand Villages for two months in the summer. It is run by the mennonite central commitee and sells fair trade stuff to generate income for people in less fortunate circumstances. I had a good time there. However, in one small area of the store, they sell some UNICEF greeting cards. This is the only UNICEF stuff they sell, so I told the manager that I would volunteer only if I didn’t have anything to do with the cards : I wouldn’t sell them, touch them, merchandise them or anything. I thought that it would be okay that way.

Well, I was thinking of helping out for a day or two over the Christmas break from university. However, now I’m wondering if it’s okay to help out there. I like everything they stand for, I’m just not a big fan of UNICEF (obviously, after reading about them on here).

What do you think my best course of action is? I asked this on the AAA forum, but I didn’t get an answer.

Thanks!

 

[jlr247]

Nobody? Shucks. I think maybe this is the wrong section for this…does anybody know where I should be asking this question?

 

[TC2]

Not Catholic, but I hope you don’t mind my opinion/advice.

Could you volunteer under the same arrangements as before?
Or is there something else you could do in this store while avoiding the UNICEF cards? Perhaps you could do something
with this group away from the store, or is there another volunteer position elsewhere in your community?
Perhaps a food bank, or community kitchen?
Storytelling at the library, community center, retirement home?
Hospital, rehab work? Meals on wheels driver/delivery?

I live in a small town (10,000), and the volunteer opportunites are limited, and the local free kitchen recently closed, so I understand if your situation is the same. Try looking into the local churches, hospitals, community centers, library for more ideas and opportunites. They’ve got to be out there.

Hmmmm, a thought, perhaps you could get up with your church or other close group and start some volunteer service, even if nothing more than to campaign/write opinions/editorials for the above or similar?
Every little effort counts, you know. Hope this has helped, and that you find something that helps both others and yourself!

 

[Kathrin]

I missed that post about UNICEF not being good… I thought they saved a lot of children’s lives.

Kathrin

 

[Bennie_P]

I missed that post about UNICEF not being good… I thought they saved a lot of children’s lives.

Kathrin

If you consider promoting abortion as lifesaving efforts for children, then …

c-fam.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=213&Itemid=102
Under the previous UNICEF Executive Director, Carol Bellamy, UNICEF increasingly got involved in radical feminism including the promotion of abortion. Because of this,** the Vatican removed its annual contribution to UNICEF and though under great pressure to resume, never has.** At her introductory press conference in May 2005, new Executive Director Ann Veneman, recommended by US President George Bush, promised that under her direction UNICEF would get away from intervention in such social issues as abortion and focus instead on the traditional UNICEF mission of child survival. Veneman said, “I don’t come with any agenda with regard to those or any other social issues. I come with an agenda of helping children, particularly in the areas of education and health and to address the issues of hunger and malnutrition. I don’t believe that these issues are relevant to the missions of UNICEF.”

**When **the Vatican starts supporting UNICEF again then maybe …

c-fam.org/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_view&gid=10&Itemid