We were delighted to sit down with our February Volunteer of the Month, Gustavo, to chat more about his life and volunteering experiences!
He has travelled from Brazil to volunteer in Scotland and is currently a full-time volunteer at Bethany House in Edinburgh.
“I have always believed in helping others and making a positive impact. So, I want to experience something deeper, to grow personally and spiritually and to be part of something that truly matters. So, volunteering gave me this opportunity to grow personally, and I’m feeling so happy doing that.”
Was there something that particularly drew you to volunteering with Bethany?
“I truly believe in the Bethany values, they match so perfectly with my values in Brazil and who I am. Working at Bethany is the best place that I can help others and put [on] someone else’s shoes.”
So were you in Brazil when you heard about Bethany?
“Yes! It was amazing to talk with Laura and Matthew [at Bethany House] because it was my first experience talking in English with someone, so I had never tried it before. I was so excited and at the same time I was afraid to do something wrong or not express myself how I would like to, but yeah, it was so nice. I wish to say that I [am] funnier in Portuguese than in English. I have to think more than the others when I have to express myself in English, just to make sure that they can understand me but I think I’m doing a good job!”
What are practical skills or things you have learned since volunteering?
“I have learned how to work better as part of a team and how to be more empathic and patient. Also, how to handle practical tasks like organising spaces, preparing meals, and supporting people in different emotional states.
In Brazil, I used to work as a teacher, and I never had to go into a kitchen to prepare a meal before but one day myself and the residents had a Brazilian Day and I had the opportunity to bake a Brazilian carrot cake.
[In the house] they have also tried Guaraná. It’s a Brazilian fizzy drink that we all have in Brazil and a Brazilian Pão de Queijo.* I brought these to Bethany House, prepared the meal and shared a little of my culture with the residents.”
*a Brazilian snack made of yuca starch, cheese and eggs
“I am the first Brazilian that the residents have met, so I don’t know if they have some expectations about me, but they are so curious to understand the Portuguese language and to understand my culture, my food and even the music. I’m also teaching Portuguese to the residents once a week. I’m still learning English so we can exchange the language and they can teach me English and I can teach them Portuguese. So it’s like we are exchanging cultures between us. It’s really fun. I love it.”
Was there a particular skill or interest you have that makes you a good fit for when you volunteer?
“Oh, this is a good question and so difficult to answer, but, yes, I think my background as a teacher in Brazil because I have to be patient, understanding of needs and finding a comfortable position to help residents that doesn’t cross any boundaries and respects them as much as possible.”
Yeah, I think that’s right. Respect is really crucial because a lot of people come here for a million reasons.
“Yeah. And they have a lot of issues. And I’m not here to judge them. I’m here to help them as much as possible. So, this is that part of my work as a volunteer. Help them, not judge them or not be rude with them.”
Finally, how do you feel you’ve benefitted from volunteering?
“Volunteering has helped me to grow so much as a human being. I understand that my life is more and I can do more with my life and my skills. I can see life outside of Brazil and to understand that everyone has problems. I’m not the only one facing problems, troubles in Brazil and the Brazilian people. We are not the only one facing troubles. So I think it’s the most important thing for me to understand the other.”
“I’m growing so much as a human being and as a man, as a teacher, as a son. I can see myself in others positions. There’s a growing in my empathy.”