Ekaterina Tverdokhlebova

5 December is Volunteer Day in Russia. The date was established by the decree of the President of the Russian Federation of 27 November, 2017.

This date has also been declared International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development in accordance with the UN General Assembly resolution of 17 December 1985.

The Volunteer Club has been operating at SPbGASU since 2015. We spoke with its leader, third-year bachelor's student of the Faculty of Civil Engineering Ekaterina Tverdokhlebova.

– When and why did you decide to start volunteering?

– I have been volunteering since school, since the seventh grade. It attracted me because you understand the realities of the world, see the positive and negative sides, do not keep silent about social problems, but try to help solve them. Volunteering is very developing in this regard.

This is a multifaceted activity: you can work with adults, children, animals, you can participate in organizing events. All this improves communication skills, critical thinking, imagination. During my work, I understand what problems I can face in this or that area, in my professional activity. Volunteering opens my eyes to many things. It is not just "free labor". This is work that is built on sincerity and humanity. Sometimes this is what people lack so much - a sense of community, selflessness and understanding. After all, we can all find ourselves in completely different situations, and volunteering teaches us to always remain human.

– What does the SPbGASU Volunteer Club do?

– The volunteer club helps organize events at the university and city level. We also go to animal shelters, plant trees, hang birdhouses, and hold our own events for students.

– Please share your plans.

– In the future, we plan to focus on working with students and city events.

– How to become a volunteer?

– Any student of our university can join the Volunteer Club. Just contact the VK community SPbGASU Volunteer Club and sign up. Then come to events and just be active!