Why Every Professional Should Consider Humanitarian Work

Sometimes it can be endless for the call to action with volunteering. For me, it started with volunteering for my condominium corporation, as board treasurer. Then, it was for my professional accounting association in the role as government liaison on my local board. That was fun to be involved in lobbying efforts with the  government. With two sons, I became a certified hockey coach for ten years and then with football. Oh, how I miss “game day”. This was setting me up for much greater opportunities to come.

Mexico was now on the horizon

I was asked by my divorce lawyer back in September 2012 to attend a Rotary International project in Nogales, Mexico. My Rotarian lawyer, his wife and my parents were at my house for dinner, when this idea came up. No pressure I was told, but an opportunity to help make a difference for those economically challenged. "This will be a life-changer for you", he said. Thinking any time you’re asked to help make a difference anywhere, it’s a huge honor.

After a few weeks, I decided to research the project and to learn more about Nogales, Sonora, Mexico. The images, history, culture, language and most importantly the people I would ultimately meet made this too irresistible to walk away from. In November, I was in.

Never having participated in an international project before, I really didn’t know what to expect. This was a special opportunity to take my numerous life skills that I had gained over time and apply them where needed. My attitude was perfect. I was going to Mexico to learn.

It was now January 2013. The journey down I-19 from Tucson came with much anticipation, as I was now going to meet my Mexican hosts in Nogales, Arizona over lunch. The next four days in Mexico was an experience that I would never forget. Three countries of Rotarians from Mexico, the United States and Canada would bond together to prepare hundreds of age appropriate shoeboxes for boys and girls from infants to teenagers. Tables were set up for clothing, toys, school supplies, toiletries and treats to fill those shoeboxes. It looked like a logistics warehouse. The state of Sonora would donate blankets. Local businesses and the city of Nogales would denote food baskets.

Once the workday was done, we were treated to savoury cooked meals at the Rotary clubhouse, entertained by local musicians and dancers and of course cerveza and tequila para la fiesta de la noche. The friendships that I was now starting to make on this first trip, was priceless. This would be the start of a project that would become part of my soul.

Late Saturday morning brings most of the team into various areas of Nogales to distribute tickets to the most economically challenged to claim their shoebox gift, food basket or blanket. This is very well organized. Newbies, as I once was, would be teamed with an experienced Rotarian being chaperoned by a Mexican Rotarian or volunteer for Spanish dialogue with ticket recipients. As soon, as we would arrive to our designated posts, the APB would go off soon to be surrounded by children with their parents. The community knew how this worked. It was the fifteenth year for this project. The children and adults would have their hand stamped, given a ticket and instruction for redemption.

When we arrived at the clubhouse on Sunday, which was Three Kings Day (on January 6th), there was already a line-up for all those who had a ticket to redeem with others in hope that there would be something for them. We were told that people would start to line up at three in the morning. Some children would actually prefer having a blanket than a shoebox. The basics we take for granted.

The sure pleasure of giving a gift to a child or to a family making them so very happy was heart warming. It is so little in the end, but it means so much for them. Never having known of people so poor, it was truly an eye opener for me. You instantly feel empathy, but knowing that the cause promotes you to do everything you can in those four precious days is very satisfying.

Life lessons are experienced when our eyes are open

After the distribution of shoeboxes, lunch and closing ceremonies, it was time to depart back to Tucson. The greatest gift for me was being asked, “will you be coming back again”. There was no doubt in my reply. It was truly an honor to go to Mexico to learn and to be given responsibilities by demonstrating my efforts and respect for their way of life. Our attitudes play a big part, in the way we are seen by others.

Now, I return every year for this event. Having made outstanding friendships in Nogales is a validation of the work we do together. This has given me many opportunities in making me whole as a person by starting the road to learning Spanish, coming to Mexico outside of the project and developing life long relationships. Learning the world using our five senses, humility and kindness makes a huge impact to realize life as it is in reality.

It has afforded me in participating with two new projects in Nogales. A newly soon to be constructed fire station with a ribbon cutting ceremony on November 25th will make the city safer. Just perfect timing, to commemorate the 100th year anniversary of the Nogales Fire Department. This project is very special for me, as my father is a retired fire captain.

The second, is the feasibility of a purified water depot within the Nogales Rotary club building for the local community. The Nogales Rotary Club, Tucson’s Pantano Rotary Club and Canada’s Kitchener-Waterloo, Guelph and Mississauga West Rotary Club’s are working together on Rotary’s ultimate mission for community sustainability. This water program will be a key deliverable with this Rotary initiative in a non-profit effort.

What can I do and what can I contribute to a project?

As professionals, there are always reasons to say no. Using time constraints in one’s busy life is not a good answer. However, there are just too many benefits not to say yes. You never know what your skills, ideas and teamwork contributions will be until they are utilized. Yes, everyone has something to offer. The world is one big classroom, lab or whatever you want to call it to keep us learning. We meet other professionals in circumstances through strife or life’s challenges to discover tangible solutions in helping others. The teamwork with this project in Nogales is exciting and sometimes can be challenging. In the end, it simply gets better every year.

Every community needs volunteers. The number of professionals that I have met in Nogales and Tucson that post their volunteering successes through social media with the impact that are making in their respective communities is commendable. Knowing these great people has inspired me to join them every year. I'll be there for the 20th anniversary edition in January 2018.

Never ignore the call to action when and where you’re needed, you just may be the difference.

Mexico has become my Hotel California. As The Eagles once sang, "You can check out anytime you like, but you can never leave!"

?Muchas gracias mi amigos en Nogales y Tucson! ?Dios te bendiga!

2016 - 18th Edition Shoebox Photos

John Smyk is an active humanitarian who volunteers through Rotary International to assist with civic causes in Nogales, Sonora, Mexico. Spending many years in community volunteering personally and professionally to make a difference.