Cross cultural understanding: a handbook to understand others’ cultures

D.
 
Volunteerism 
Volunteering is generally considered an altruistic activity, 
and is intended to promote good or improve human quality of 
life, which in return produces a feeling of self-worth and 
respect, but no financial gain. Volunteering is also famous for 

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16 | Cross Cultural Understanding 
skill development, socialization and fun. It is also intended to 
make contacts for possible employment or for a variety of 
other reasons. 
Volunteers are highly motivated people, workers who 
organize themselves and others to solve a particular 
community problem or meet an immediate social need, rather 
then waiting for someone else – usually the govt- to do it. The 
willingness to participate in such groups is so widespread that 
six out of ten Americans are members of a volunteer 
organization. Volunteerism reflects Americans‘ optimistic 
pride in their ability to work out practical solutions 
themselves. Americans like to form associations of different 
kind . Many volunteers are specifically trained in the areas 
they work, such as medicine, education, or emergency rescue. 
Others serve on an as-needed basis, such as in response to a 
natural disaster.