One is not the end of the world…
Everyone has something to give to others. Sharing knowledge, time and a helping hand. Changing the lives of orphaned children, who were deprived of many opportunities by fate from the very beginning. The measure of humanity is the extent of the care we offer to other people – says Aleksandra Bykowska, who created and coordinates employee volunteering at PwC, which consists of tutoring in an orphanage.
How to encourage colleagues to volunteer as employees?
Very easy, but it requires getting ahead of the curve and presenting a proposal for action. Shortly after I joined the company, I saw one of the thanks to PwC for their participation and involvement in the social campaign. At that time, we were called the Centre of Excellence, so I decided to persuade such wonderful people to do something good, share their knowledge and take on a completely different role than the one I play every day.
Are we talking about a new role for the teacher?
Tutor. I thought about English classes – this language is an everyday part of our company, so there is no shortage of candidates who could support. I started with myself, setting an example that you can act regularly by working for measurable results.
How to create such a team?
Initially, I was a bit hesitant about the subject and I was very surprised by the number of people who wanted to help with me. Our volunteers turned out to be very independent and systematic, their work does not require excessive coordination.
Who are you helping?
Children and young people from a local children’s home. For a number of reasons, this is a challenging environment that has raised some concerns among volunteers. It’s not like kids are going to “buy” everything. The most important thing is to avoid comparisons – to children and adolescents we know and to ourselves from our school years.
Why is it so important?
The lack of parents and everyday life in the orphanage make these children perceive the world in a slightly different way. From an early age, they are put to a great test, so our task is to skillfully adjust the bar and set rational expectations. The key to hearts is a kind of ease – it allows you to change the atmosphere, and children feel much more comfortable thanks to it. Believe me, then the effects are satisfactory for both parties, which is very important in charity work.
How did the children react to the idea of extra lessons?
I had the pleasure of getting to know most of our charges in various facilities and I can see that they welcomed the volunteers extremely well. A somewhat friendly relationship was born, but also a mentoring one. A volunteer has become an example of an adult who is completely different from an educator who requires order, or a person from the environment of the past. In fact, he becomes an older friend who inspires and at the same time can show that some things are really worth doing.
Tutoring that changes the world?
No exaggeration (laughs). Relationships that allow for development are the greatest reward for us tutors. An example is a boy who, inspired by his work with a volunteer, applied to high school, postponing the idea of a vocational school. The tutor turned out to be someone important to him, he felt that he had her support, he consulted with her on future decisions about the choice of a field of study.
Can your activity be described as a program?
Employee volunteering is first and foremost a willingness to help in itself. Each participant signs an individual contract with the children’s home. PwC supports us by granting us three hours of work per month, which we can devote to our children. It allows us to leave work early, thanks to which we can get to class on time, provides help in the form of stationery and materials needed for lessons. However, please keep in mind that material things are not the most important need here.
What is it?
Our attention, which we focus entirely on the people in our care. I’ve noticed that even if an adult demands and forces them to do extra work, students are happy about it, they even look forward to these classes. It’s amazing to see the joy at our sight! The greetings of a group of younger children are very energetic (laughs)!
Doesn’t the burden of responsibility oppress you?
None of us even try to take on the role of educator. We understand that we shape these children in the educational aspect, so we want to show them the possibilities and give them courage, convincing them that it is worth fighting for their dreams. From the beginning, we avoid close personal relationships, which could turn out to be harmful if one of us had to give up this job.
Is this the kind of distance you have to learn?
The volunteers working in the program care a lot about their students. However, it doesn’t go beyond the relationships we’ve agreed on. I often receive e-mails with information about crises, which usually turn into success after some time. Every one is a cause for concern. When the revision succeeds in a four, the student and the tutor grow with pride (laughs).
Only English?
From this year onwards, also mathematics. It turned out that support was urgently needed.
How many groups do you help?
About 25 students benefit from tutoring. The group of volunteers is always constant, with 15 people involved. We are very happy to ask how you can join us. A list of willing teachers has already been created for the next year, so the kids will receive strong support.
Have you adopted a fixed formula of meetings?
It all depends on your needs. It happens that a volunteer leads a group, as long as it is in the same group. There are individual classes.
Employee volunteering is already 2 years old, what are your plans for the future?
I think that our cooperation with the Gdańsk Integration Children’s Home is so durable and fruitful that both parties want to continue it. The facility has 4 branches in different locations where its pupils live. It is important that we focus on developing this cooperation. Of course, we are open to supporting other orphanages. I try to check if there are any additional needs.
Is there satisfaction?
The greatest satisfaction is when you see real progress – sometimes you notice it yourself, sometimes you find out about a passed exam or a higher grade at the end of the year. Also, when after the first year of the program, the facility expressed its willingness to continue working with us, I realized that we really did a great job. I was surprised, because I didn’t have a chance to look at the project from this point of view – I spent my time helping the kids, even three times a week, taking replacements in case of volunteers’ indisposition, so that our students would not lose valuable lessons. The expressions of gratitude that we received from the management and educators were very nice and encouraging, but the total surprise was the fact that the campaign was distinguished in the report of the Responsible Business Forum. Being an example of employee volunteering for companies is a great distinction and even greater motivation to act.
Interviewed by: Dagmara Rybicka, Communication Department, Olivia Business Centre
