There has been several natural disasters recently like the quake that hit Haiti and shortly thereafter the one in Chile. While our hearts go out to the many families affected by it, we often forget the communities in our own area, also in desperate need of assistance.

Bonita, myself, Ilva

On Friday, the Red Ribbon Johannesburg team had the privilege of getting our hands dirty in the garden of the Princess Alice Adoption Home in Westcliff. Apart from nappies, food and medicine which are an ongoing need, the garden was desperate for a good clean-up, since the caregivers spend lots of time with the little ones outside for play and stimulation.

Prior to the clean-up, we phoned around for a garden service in the area to assist us with the heavy-duty work such as mowing the lawn and trimming the edges. Bonita got hold of Leon from Reliable Garden Services who agreed to assist us pro-bono. On Friday, he arrived with six staff and his entire family to assist us with our project! Other volunteers from the Jo’burg Child Welfare and Parkview Golf Club also pitched to help with the enormous gardening task.

Leon and his family raking up the freshly cut grass.

Many times, these projects don’t require much money to execute - investing time and effort has so much more of an impact than a few Rands will ever have.

And although most of us recognise volunteering as an act of giving and even self-sacrifice, what we don’t usually expect are the feelings of fulfilment and abundant joy that we get in return. In my opinion, that last considerably longer than a freshly-mowed lawn.

And you have to ask yourself – who is really getting more out of the deal?