“It's enjoyable to help people”
On January 17, 2020, the ceremony of awarding letters of appreciation and insignia "For Contribution to the Development of Volunteering in St. Petersburg” took place in Smolny.
Awarding ceremony participants
The awards were presented by the Governor of St. Petersburg Alexander D. Beglov. Among the awarded students was a third-year student of the SPbGASU Faculty of Civil Engineering, graduate of the Opora School of Volunteers and head of the Association of St. Petersburg Museum Volunteers and of the SPbGASU Volunteer Headquarters Elizaveta Evstifeyeva.
We asked her to answer a few questions.
– SPbGASU volunteer headquarters has been operating since 2015. In May 2019, I took over the leadership of the headquarters. We have several areas of activities: environmental, cultural, events, sports, assistance to animal shelters in the city and the region. We have about fifty people as the core group at the headquarters but more than a thousand students participated in the Opora’s work at different times,” Elizaveta said.
– What events are planned in the near future?
- From February 18, we are going to start classes for volunteers interested in working at museums and other cultural institutions. We also have in plans seven theoretical classes to be conducted by experts from the Hermitage, St. Isaac's Cathedral, and the St. Petersburg State Library for the Blind and Visually Impaired. Experts will talk about the specifics of their work and what exactly we can help with. Our goal is to make the cultural environment as accessible as possible, including for people with disabilities. We will attend practical classes to see in practice how their work is structured. Upon completion of classes, we will receive volunteer books.The Governor of St. Petersburg A.D. Beglov presents the award to the student of SPbGASU E. Evstifeyeva
- Recently, the Student Council and the Volunteer Headquarters have been striving to combine their efforts. For example, we supported the Golden Faculty event. Personally, I single out Donor Days. We helped to organize field events at the Russian Research Institute of Hematology and Transfusiology. It is interesting to listen to stories - who, why, what for donates blood. There are whole donor dynasties, and few do it for the money.
– What does the volunteer movement give you?
- Experience, self-realization, communication with various people. It's enjoyable to help people, it is very important. I would like to express my gratitude for the support of the volunteer movement to the leadership of our university and the head of the SPbGASU Department of Social and Extracurricular Work with Students Irina V. Nuryeva.
- We wish you success in your endeavors!Text: Tatyana Petrova