Interview with Carmen, one of our volunteers

Carmen is one of our many volunteers. As a high school student, she has still found the time to dedicate herself to charity work.

She can often be seen on Sundays helping at the Missionaries of Charity soup kitchen or assisting at the Food Bank on Wednesdays, preparing food for those in need.

We asked Carmen why she does this work and what volunteering gives back to her.

How did you first get involved with the Order of Malta and charity work?

I am in the 11th grade at Tabasalu High School. At the upper secondary level, every class is required to complete a certain number of hours of volunteer work.

During a school seminar, we were introduced to websites where you can find volunteering opportunities. That is how I found my way to the Order of Malta and the Missionaries of Charity soup kitchen.

What have you gained personally from volunteering?

Volunteering makes me feel good. It also gives young people and students a chance to stand out from others and be noticed later in the job market.

In addition, I have to complete a major graduation project, essentially a form of practical work. I plan to do this together with Dagmar, the project manager of the Order of Malta in Estonia, by starting a knitting club.

The knitted items would be sold to raise funds for the Order’s charitable projects. So volunteering is useful not only for the job market, but also in my schoolwork.

Do you already know what you want to study and what kind of work you would like to do in the future?

I would like to study law, especially focusing on human rights.

I believe that charity work and helping those in need fits very well with this field.