Courage is a virtue that enables us to speak out and stand up for what we believe is right, even when we face opposition. Samuel Johnson, an English writer, once said that, “Courage is the greatest of all virtues because if you haven't courage, you may not have an opportunity to use any of the others”. On October 21, Sunshine Family Volunteers (SFV) Learning Circle took place. It brought together 15 SFV coordinators to learn about the importance of courage as a virtue they need to uphold in their community service work.
Noting that many believe that courage is the absence of fear, Mrs. Younshim Park, the SFV mentor, expounded that courage also meant that the participants needed to push through anxiety and self-doubts to accomplish their goals. She noted that overcoming internal emotional barriers was a way in which they could master and exhibit courage in their daily lives.
“We all need courage in the face of our life change challenges, whether it's trying new things, standing up for what's right, risking failure, sharing ourselves, admitting when we are wrong, or even asking for help,” she said.
She cited the multiple benefits that equipping children with the value of courage could bring forth, including increasing resilience, perseverance and making them more confident. Courage broadens the experiences of children as it enables them to seize opportunities and can fortify children to live and honor their deepest values.
Family service was pointed out as one way of instilling and inspiring the value of courage in children. Families not only provide basic needs for children but also emotional needs, and the influence they have can last for a lifetime. Children learn values such as courage when other family members demonstrate it through action.
The participants were also encouraged to use storytelling as a way of teaching values to children in addition to coaching them to do the right thing. Mrs. Park applauded the SFV coordinators for their courage in tackling some of the world’s most significant challenges with their families, beginning from their communities.
“You bravely strive to help other families grow and develop in your communities,” she said.
The participants listened to stories of courage from SFV coordinators Kameli Zphania Wambali from Uganda and Susan Tamang from Nepal. They also learned how to manage their volunteers to maximize the impact of their service projects.
“Effective volunteer management ensures that our volunteers are not just engaged but also inspired to continue their commitment,” said Shanti, the SFV program assistant.
She shared some tips to help the SFV coordinators manage and strengthen their volunteer networks among them:
1. Providing proper orientation
2. Maintaining regular communication
3. Giving the volunteers a sense of belonging
4. Listening to and empathizing with the volunteers
5. Delegating tasks reasonably to avoid burnout
6. Celebrating accomplishments to boost morale
Do you wish to become an SFV coordinator in your country? Learn more about the SFV program.