Cristian Mazzei, UNV Civil Affairs Officer in Fort Liberté, Haiti with local children. (UNV Haiti)

In my mind the face of a child
its eyes lost to the horizon
a life without future.
A woman with no way of feeding
her child that she holds close to her
but without hope.
The hands of a man asking for bread
and the pain of a hunger that gives no
rest.
I feel the misery, the suffering
and the cry for help
which perturbs my nights and gives
me no peace
Peace, the world still needs Peace.
I feel the indifference of people,
who have abandoned these people.
The desolation of this land
that my steps now walk on.
How can one still remain passive
before this outcry?
How can one close his eyes
before so much pain?
I have chosen
I have chosen not to ignore
I have chosen to be a Volunteer
to put my life to the service of others.
To leave my own land, to leave everything,
To go where there is more need for
me
Living to help others, to give joy or
even only a smile
to help others, It is the most beautiful
thing in the world,
there is no doubt
It does not cost anything, you cannot
sell it, you cannot buy it
It is free, you can give it without expecting
to be rewarded
This is the essence of a Volunteer
But what pushes me to do all this?
The smile of a child who plays
thoughtlessly
The joy of a mother who can nurse
her little one
The happiness of a father who can
work and still believe in a future.
Happiness, thanks to my action
This is the reward that one can have
I am happy and proud
I have chosen to face reality,
although uncomfortable, and to react
I am proud to be a Volunteer.