Doing Good Feels Good
The awareness of being lucky and of living in a privileged situation encourages many people to want to give back to the people who, for various reasons and often not by choice, live in underprivileged conditions. This was the case for Michael Vecchi, Bocconi student, who returned from an international exchange experience in Boston where "I was lucky to meet great people who were able to volunteer while studying or working," he says. So he decided to stop thinking he didn't have enough time and to go to the Volunteer Desk that Bocconi has opened in the Campus Life area (One-Stop-Service Center, Piazza Sraffa 11), Tuesdays from 11:30am to 3:30pm.
It's the place where CIESSEVI Milano operators and Bocconi students who are part of the association Students for Humanity lend their time. They advise anyone who would like to become a volunteer regarding their choice of association (there are 1,600) or non-profit (700) in Milan, to find the best fit where they can therefore offer their commitment.
"I went to the Bocconi Volunteer Desk," says Michael, "and they proposed various projects and associations that were in line with my capabilities. I decided to dedicate my time to the Unità Mobile project at the Isacchi-Samaja Onlus foundation. We go to people in the homeless community in a camper and provide them with the basic necessities: food, drinks, blankets, etc. But we also aim to establish a compassionate relationship with them, even if it's only for a few minutes."
It's an important, educational and very gratifying experience "because you often receive more joy when giving than when receiving," concludes Michael. He encourages his classmates to take on this experience and visit the Desk to find their own opportunities for personal development.
After the Easter break, the Desk will open again on 14 April and be available on Tuesdays until 12 May. For information, contact Campus Life, +39 02.5836.3035; sociale@unibocconi.it. To make an appointment, please write to deskvolontariato@unibocconi.it