National Volunteer Week is an opportunity to recognize the impact of volunteer service and the power of volunteers to tackle society’s greatest challenges, to build stronger communities and be a force that transforms the world.” That’s how the organization Points of Light describes this important week, and it perfectly explains the reality that World Pediatric Project experiences every day – the power of volunteers to build and transform.
Volunteers have come alongside World Pediatric Project from the beginning to carry out what we envision with our partners for transformed global pediatric health care delivery. The surgeon who provides surgery, the physician who consults and trains, the nurse who carefully inventories medical supplies, the student who serves as a friend and support to a patient coming to the U.S., the board member who provides guidance and oversight, the community member who helps organize a busy clinic day for a traveling team, the supporter who helps run an event and champion fundraising efforts… all the many different types of volunteers are the collective force for World Pediatric Project’s mission. They are the doers, the collaborators, the ambassadors. We are always amazed by the transformations they make possible.

And while COVID-19 has changed aspects of our volunteers’ participation, it has not dampened the passion for and commitment to the work. Volunteers have been the uplifters to World Pediatric Project, providing the encouragement to keep going through this continuously difficult time.

So thank you, volunteers – for what you’ve done in the past, for what you are doing right now, and for the hope of the future that you’re envisioning with us. Whatever country you live in, however you serve, you are truly appreciated for being World Pediatric Project’s critical network for children.