Ivette Torres in the Salvador
In this new blog series, I’d like to ask four questions to people from different countries, backgrounds, professions, and genders who have all one thing in common: volunteering. I hope you’ll get inspired by their journeys and take the leap into volunteering.
Notice: The positions, views and information contained published here are those of the interviewee and do not necessarily represent my views or opinions.
Ivette Torres started her journey as a volunteer at 16 years old with projects in education in math and science in school. She was a tutor and realized how much she loved to teach. With the years and now being a professional, her commitment to contributing to society has grown. She is a volunteer teacher, passionate about participating actively in the community, specifically in a program for literacy in people with disabilities, including braille. She dedicates herself to developing practices to increase inclusion and reduce the stigma of people with disabilities. Balance in professional and personal life is essential for Ivette, specifically, giving back and positively impacting the community.
How did you begin to volunteer?
I was in school, and they had a program for tutoring in math and science, I realized that I really love teaching and finding that everyone learns in a different way. I remember that I tried to help people in things that were hard for me to learn and making it easier for them.
Why did you continue volunteering?
It opened a different perspective for me, I was living in a bubble ignoring how different the world was. I recall having conversations with my students that showed me how they interpreted the ideas and how insightful it was to understand or at least get to know them by the time we spent with them. Knowing that dedicating a couple of minutes to them made a difference in their lives. I started tutoring and then I was part of an organization that help families fight childhood cancer and also working in the local community with a literacy plan for people with disabilities.
How has volunteering helped you in your career?
It has helped me be more empathetic and have meaningful relationships with people. It has taught me that everyone is different, and we shouldn’t categorize people but accept them as they are, “the only thing we have in common is that we are different.”
I remember working in the classroom with people with disabilities, and at least in Latin America, we still fight the stigma that having a disability is something terrible. And I remember that I said hi to a boy and called him by his name. I was used to doing it, and his dad looked at me with awe and said: "THANK YOU!" I was baffled and said, "Uhm, you're welcome?" He said, no one remembers my son's name, and you did. You called him by his name. I always use this story to show how important it is to acknowledge people as individuals and treat them with respect. It is so essential and yet impactful.
I was learning braille, and the particularity of the methodology is that I had to learn blindfolded to experience for one hour and a half how to do life without my sight. I had no sense of space, walked in the hallways, and somehow, I always crashed against the wall. I learned how to do handcrafts, use scissors, identify people, textures, smells, and everything, but the most crucial part is that I learned how to guide blind people and make them feel safe. I remember that I used to take their hand and pull them, thinking I was guiding them, but no, everyone has their preferences. Some of them like to grab you by the shoulders, others by your arm or hand, and I realized that I never asked the other person how they would like me to help them. It was a life lesson. Now when I'm working with a new person, I always ask how I can help you and how you would like me to support you, and every time I receive a different answer and make everything easier.
Would you encourage other people to take up volunteering, and if so, why?
Yes, I always say that it is not easy to find your passion, but it is easier to find something that is upsetting to you. Take that and do something about it. Support existing organizations or create new ones but doing nothing is as well as being part of the problem.
