Presently the Russian Red Cross has about 100,000 volunteers. They help all kinds of people - elderly and children, refugees and displaced persons, people with serious illnesses and those affected by emergencies. Young men and women fr om all over the country are ready to get involved and support those in need on voluntary and pro bono basis. We decided to find out their reason for being involved.
Today we will tell you about the young people who came to Russia from Yemen and Azerbaijan, entered the university and became volunteers for the Russian Red Cross. They have in common something more than a profession - both are studying to become doctors, – it is a sincere desire to lend a helping hand to anyone who need it here and now.
Altruism as a way of life
Our first character is Iskander Al-Shadadir. He came to Russia from Yemen in 2016 to attend medical university. Now the young man is a six-grade student in the Kaluga Tsiolkovsky University, specializing in "Medical Business". Together with his studies, he works part-time at the local emergency medical service, volunteers with the Russian Red Cross and plays soccer for his university team.
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Iskander
"This is not the first year I've been volunteering, it's already firmly embedded in my life. In Yemen I was a blood group 4 donor, and my parents always supported my altruistic view of the world. I believe that if you come to a foreign country and stay on, you should not stand aside, it is your duty to help others. Today you live here, and that means it's your homeland, albeit temporary," says our interlocutor.
Aikhan Azizov is only 17. Like Iskander, he came to the Kaluga Region to become a doctor. The young people study at the same university, which is wh ere they met.
"What the Russian Red Cross does is a noble cause"
The young men did not become volunteers by chance. Iskander learned about the RRC from the head of another youth organization, and Aikhan joined, inspired by the example of his new acquaintance.
"I met Iskander, a volunteer from Yemen, who at that time was already part of the team of the regional branch of the Russian Red Cross in Kaluga. I was inspired by his example and joined the organization as well," said Aikhan.
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Aikhan
The young man admitted that in his homeland, Azerbaijan, the National Red Crescent Society is one of the most respected organizations that support people in different situations.
"I felt it my duty to join the ranks of volunteers of the Russian Red Cross to be able to help others - as they once helped my country and my people. My parents supported my decision because what the RRC does is a noble cause," he said.
In the Kaluga regional center, Iskander and Ayhan conduct first aid workshops and classes in recovery after COVID-19, distribute humanitarian aid to refugees and displaced persons and do social work.
Aikhan, who is the same age as high school and college students, enjoys teaching first aid: "The main thing here is to find a proper approach and get everyone interested, because that will determine how serious they will be about the work, master the material and, if necessary, be able to provide first aid. We are of the same age, and dealing with these boys and girls is an extra bonus for me”.
Both young men were active in helping those in need during the COVID-19 pandemic by delivering medicine, food, and providing basic goods.
"Once I had to bring medicine to a lonely elderly woman. She was so happy to get help that she forgot about any precautions and started hugging and thanking me. I was reassured once again
that I was doing something really important and necessary," Iskander said.
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Iskander
Now the young men help refugees and displaced persons. Aikhan not only distributes humanitarian aid, but also helps specialists assess the health of new arrivals: “For me, a future doctor, this is great practice”.
What gives you strength?
The guys confess that they get satisfaction from what they do and feel a sense of accomplishment. For Aikhan, "volunteering is not difficult." "On the contrary, it fills me with energy. For instance, despite difficult circumstances during the Ukrainian crisis, people keep on living - I see smiling children and positive attitude in the eyes of adults, which gives me a motive to do what I do," said Aikhan.
Iskander, like many others, wants to see the world a kinder place with more mutual help and support, and notes that it is important for volunteers themselves to be thanked by those they help.
"I don't help people for the sake of gratitude, but I am certainly pleased when people say 'thank you' for our support. And I am glad that I can save people's lives and at the same time share my knowledge through the Russian Red Cross," summed up the young man.
