United Planet’s first virtual volunteer alumni and recipient of the United Planet Service Scholarship, Bridget Gleason, shares her experience.
Virtual volunteer, Bridget Gleason shares her experience on the work she has done to raise awareness for an organization in Mali, Africa. She virtually worked on this program for a month working alongside an organization for Education, Law, and Development of Women and Children.
She landed on this project through her preferences in marketing, social media and women’s issues along with some guidance our programs team for her placement. “I am interested in women’s issues and plan to study marketing. This internship allowed me to help an organization that aims to help women and children. I was able to gain marketing skills by making pages for the organization on social media and sharing the fundraising link,” she shared.
READ MORE: A Day in Life as a Virtual Volunteer and 4 Productivity Tips
As we know how important the Internet has become during this pandemic, to connect with others while staying at home. Bridget got to share her ideas and suggestions for steps to be taken to raise awareness of what’s happening in Mali. “I learned about the Mali culture and current situation by reading up on the internet about current events and the history of the country and culture. The organization had no internet presence and I suggested they start by making a Facebook and Instagram page to raise awareness. We were then able to link to a fundraising site. Now hopefully the word will spread and people will share the links. (Please “Like” and Follow the ADDEFEM pages on Facebook and Instagram!) They are in desperate need of funds because a fire burnt down a large camp for displaced women and children on April 28, 2020 and they are trying to raise money to help with food and shelter. There are pictures of the devastation on the social media pages along with a link to donate,” Bridget said.
We asked if she would recommend virtual volunteering and she mentioned, “It was a wonderful opportunity, especially since we had to stay home during quarantine. I suddenly had more time on my hands and I’m glad I could use that time in a positive way.”
For all virtual volunteers who wants to raise awareness or help any other organization, Bridget recommends,
Keep an open heart and mind and try to be creative in thinking of ways you can help others. – Bridget Gleason’s words of wisdom to future volunteers!
More About United Planet Service Scholarships
ABOUT UNITED PLANET
United Planet is a non-profit organization with a mission to create a global community, one relationship at a time. Established in 2001, United Planet offers volunteer abroad, virtual internships, internships abroad, gap year volunteering, and global virtual exchange in more than 40 countries.
