It all began with an ad on Facebook

For Hanieh, the motivation to volunteer came from a simple but meaningful desire: 

"I wanted to be helpful to society without expecting anything in return. Helping others, even in small ways, makes me happy."

"I saw an ad on Facebook about volunteering with the Red Cross. When I reached out, they explained the different volunteer roles available, and I chose patient care because it felt like a meaningful way to help."

Impacting others' lives as motivation

Hanieh explains that her role is more than just delivering tea and coffee to the patients:

“It’s about caring for the patients' mental well-being. Nurses focus on their medical needs, but we are there to provide comfort and company.”

"Some patients don’t have family or friends visiting them, so our presence gives them someone to talk to and share their thoughts with. I feel like it makes them feel good to have someone who listens."

Hanieh’s volunteer shifts are flexible—she works 3 hours either once a week or once every two weeks. She explains that it can be physically tiring and there are no perks like free meals for volunteers – however, the work itself is rewarding, and the positive impact on patients makes it worthwhile.

Danish language proficiency as an added benefit

For Hanieh, volunteering has also been an opportunity to improve her Danish language skills:

She encourages other students to explore volunteering, even if they’re unsure where to start. 

"If you don’t speak Danish fluently, there are still options available. For example, mentoring programs for international students or helping newcomers settle in Denmark can be great ways to contribute while also gaining experience."