Amitabha volunteers find the role offers them many rewards
Although the Buddhist principles of compassion, kindness and integrity are the foundation of Amitabha’s work, volunteers and clients come from all different backgrounds and religions.
Amitabha Hospice Service has been training and supporting volunteers to provide companionship to those in need in the community since 1995.
Volunteers work all over Auckland, visiting people with chronic illnesses and those in the last stages of life. Although the Buddhist principles of compassion, kindness and integrity are the foundation of Amitabha’s work, volunteers and clients come from all different backgrounds and religions.
Volunteers find their roles rewarding in many ways, Lynette shares her experience of working with Amitabha Hospice:
‘‘I completed the Amitabha volunteer training course four years ago and to this day I am grateful to have had the opportunity to do so. It has brought me into contact with many people from all walks of life who I now consider my friends.
‘‘The first person I was teamed up with was a beautiful woman - Janifa – who I used to meet up with for a coffee, a walk or a movie. She wanted someone she could share the joy of living with before she died. We certainly did that!
‘‘For the past three years I have been visiting a remarkable woman who sustained a severe stroke over 20 years ago. Natalie is originally from Georgia and at the time of her stroke was living in Germany where her life was immersed in music and teaching. The rest of her family was living in New Zealand and they were able to bring her to New Zealand to care for her. She is housebound and mostly confined to a wheelchair although she does have a physiotherapist visit her and I so admire her determination to keep moving as much as she can.
‘‘She has also persisted with her music and taught herself to play Rachmaninov and Beethoven pieces with just one hand. In addition Natalie has learnt English since coming to New Zealand – not allowing her stroke to act as an impediment.
‘‘I visit Natalie every week to collect her and take her to one of the groups Amitabha runs at the Avondale premises. I remain with Natalie for the group session before taking her back home. This group is not only important to Natalie but to me as well. I have met some remarkable people here – a very cross cultural group including people from the Philippines, Brazil, Fiji, Switzerland and of course, Georgia. What started out as volunteering has grown into so much more – Natalie and her family have become friends. The group attendees have taught me so much about courage, perseverance and what it is to be human! So for me, volunteering is definitely a two-way street.
I highly recommend it!’’
Amitabha Hospice is a registered charity and relies on donations and funding grants to operate. On Tuesdays and Fridays clients and volunteers meet at the premises, 44 Powell Street, Avondale, for morning tea and social activities.
The next volunteer support companion training course starts on Wednesday March 1, running for six consecutive Wednesday evenings, until April 5. More information is available on the website: amitabhahospice. org.