by Dr. Charles Kisamba

16 September 2008

Sector East, Côte d'Ivoire: I am working as medical doctor and HIV counsellor, and I look after the health of staff of the United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI) in the Sector East.

I carry out vaccinations and health education and I make field visits regularly. I also perform voluntary confidential counselling and testing and HIV awareness.

One day, we went on a mission with my driver on the road to Ferké-Bouna in the far north of Côte d'Ivoire, where in the national park of Comoé we got stuck in the mud. The problem was the absence of villagers to help us because everyone had left for the fields, and worse still there was no telephone network or radio link with the base.

We could not get out the vehicle for fear of wild beasts. So we hung around until the return of the first villagers who helped us get out of the quagmire. It was an unforgettable day for all of us involved.

Being a volunteer means for me to show others that there is more happiness in giving than receiving. There is more joy to serve than to be served. It means to help those who can't do anything for you in return, to create a better world where money is not a priority.