POWER 5 INTERVIEW

Peggy Amienyaru

What motivated you to become a volunteer in the Emerging Leaders Placement Project?

What motivated me to become a volunteer for the Emerging Leaders Placement Project was my desire to make social change. As a student senator on my school board and a volunteer for a multitude of non-profits, I’ve witnessed issues plaguing my community and desire to alleviate them, especially for underprivileged communities who lack the resources to do so themselves.

What do you consider to be the most rewarding aspect of being a volunteer?

The most rewarding aspect of being a volunteer is being able to see your efforts realize into tangible change. I’ve volunteered for, organized, and founded numerous projects for disadvantaged groups and being able to see what my actions, whether it’s through fundraising or programming for youth, help others, is incredibly satisfying.

Have there been any valuable lessons or insights you've gained through your volunteer journey? If so, could you share one or two that have had a significant impact on you?

A valuable lesson I’ve learned through my experiences in volunteering is that there is always a way to make an impact, even if it’s small. When I first founded my fundraiser for victims of domestic violence, I worried that the money I raised wouldn’t make a true impact in the lives of these victims. However, upon being relayed information from the charity Bethesda House about how much these funds helped survivors, it motivated me to continue volunteering and searching for ways to make an impact—even if the impact might seem minuscule.

How do you take care of your well-being while pursuing your goals or leadership roles?

I take care of my own well-being while pursuing my goals and leadership roles through ensuring that I keep my activities organized on my calendar to avoid feeling overwhelmed and to leave some time to myself as well.

What advice would you give to someone who is considering becoming a volunteer?

One piece of advice I would give to someone considering becoming a volunteer is: do it! It might seem overwhelming at first but getting involved, even in the smallest of ways, is part of everyone’s duty to make society a more welcoming and equal place for everybody!