“Giving is limitless. I’d love to see every NGO working hand- in-hand with the government and the private sector, as everyone helps each other towards one goal. No one gets left behind. I believe every Filipino has a role in fulfilling this dream. “ – Jasmine Salem of iVolunteer
Meet Jasmine Salem: Auditor, Finance Associate Director, Everyday Hero.
As iVolunteer’s Associate Director of Finance, Jasmine Salem or “Jas” handles fundraising activities as well as the financial books of the organization. She is also the team’s Executive Secretary, and is in charge of iVolunteer’s legal requirements and documentations. As a state auditor, Jasmine loves how her day job coincides with her responsibilities in managing the organization. It makes her understand more about how the government and NGOs can work better together in nation-building.
For Jasmine, volunteering allows her to connect with her community and offers opportunities for her to make it a better place. She wants to see a world where serving others is a top priority.
The first chapter
Her first volunteer experience with iVolunteer was through Brigada Eskwela, an annual activity conducted to help prepare public schools for the upcoming school year. She was thankful for her this activity as it got her very interested in volunteering, and led her to look for more opportunities. One particular eye-opening experience for Jasmine was during a volunteer session with Edicute Incorporated, where she was able to facilitate the distribution of school supplies to the children in the community alongside some unforeseen challenges. It made her see the hope in those children, who still wanted to go to school despite their everyday struggles. Since then, she had countless moments of giving back to communities through different non-government organizations, and later on became an advocate of volunteerism through her commitment to iVolunteer Philippines.
The story unfolds
Jasmine also mentioned that volunteering has made her feel less stressed, more motivated and more inspired to learn new things, and develop new perspectives at any given situation. Truly, sometimes your journeys can lead you to something you never even thought you can attain, or help you discover passions you were unaware of. “There is so much more to be done, and volunteering is one way of sharing what God has given me,” she shares.
Bolder dreams
iVolunteer has made Jasmine realize that she can do more, give more time, and share more of her skills. According to her, “Giving is limitless. I’d love to see every NGO working hand- in-hand with the government and the private sector, as everyone helps each other towards one goal. No one gets left behind. I believe every Filipino has a role in fulfilling this dream.“
Greater heights
As an active member of iVolunteer, she dreams that the organization will always be present in every step towards creating a better Philippines. iVolunteer shall fuel every move forward, and serve as a mediator to connect every sector of society in mobilizing the key steps towards inclusive development. Ultimately, Jasmine sees iVolunteer as a key driver in cultivating a culture and norm of service and accountability to others and the country: “I hope someday, when we say “iVolunteer”, we mean sharing a part of ourselves to others.”
Visit https://ivolunteer.com.ph/events for other volunteer opportunities!
By Guinanie Marcelo and Jen Redublo
iVolunteer Philippines 