by Leticia Mattei

28 August 2009

Torit and Yei, Sudan: I have always been motivated by the desire to give back to the community what my parents and society taught and raised me to be.

I define myself as an active example of willingness to cooperate and help others and, when deemed necessary, to change the world to make it a better place to live in.

Now, as a UNV volunteer with the United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) I have been given a great opportunity to be part of a team. My duties in Facility Management General Service (Camp Management) involve a lot of fieldwork, which includes supervising the cleaning of offices, accommodation and ablutions; maintenance of the UNMIS grounds (planting of trees, flowers etc.); handling of mail and cargo; taking care of bookings and documentation; sending monthly general service reports and so on.

On a daily basis I engage individual contractors to perform the above work. With proper supervision, the contractors are required to perform to the best of their ability. Hard work and punctuality are the criteria through which I believe good work can be done.

Having a grounding in inventory activities, it is my pleasure to properly take records of the activities above, such as the bookings. Planning is very important – I have to know where I am going in order to get there. I listen and talk but I have to be simple and clear. Motivation and respect are both highly required.

As the second born in my family of eleven children, I am proud of how I was raised up by loving and caring parents. All my siblings were able to go to school and build careers thereafter.

The motto of my parent's leadership in raising us was to put God first by conducting family prayers and attending mass gatherings for praise. Likewise, my parents believed and practiced doing small things with great love and dedication, leading to positive impacts on the lives of others.

As a parent and a mother to two children myself, it is a legacy which I wish to pass on to my own children and to all people with whom opportunity allows me to meet. For example, where I conduct my current job as a UNV volunteer today, still that spirit of motherhood always prevails and drives me to acknowledge other people's efforts and contributions.

Empathy, a genuine liking for people who put active efforts into promoting human welfare, a persistent cheerful and positive attitude towards life,  as well as  a willingness and commitment to learn, in my current assignment all these things help me to listen and understand with an open mind. Consequently, I share what I have gained from my previous experiences as well.

Thus the rules and regulations guiding the core competency values in my job skills, attributes and behaviour always command results in every activity I perform.

So, whether you are retired or just have some extra time you would like to give back to the world community, a UNV volunteer assignment means it can be done.

Therefore, my message to all the UNV volunteers I work with, and particularly the General Service Section, is that for us all to learn, gain strength and courage, and build confidence through every single experience – even though sometimes we all feel hesitant although we know that we’re right thing. Let’s take this chance to evolve and help our brothers and sisters around the globe.

Lastly, I give thanks to my colleagues who have volunteered around the world, that God may bless you all for the love, care, and affection that you have given and continue to give to the entire world so as to make it a better place to dwell in for you and me and the generations to come.