Meet Bella, Susie, and Zara - Operation Orphan's DofE volunteers!

Hi, our names are Bella, Susie, and Zara. We currently volunteer at Operation Orphan for our DofE volunteering section and we volunteer for 1 hour a week after school.

We first started our volunteer work because we are enrolled in a DoFE programme and needed something for our volunteering section. We found out about Operation Orphan from our school as it is our year group charity. As of right now, we have been doing eight weeks of volunteer work. Our activities vary from wrapping selection boxes at Christmas time and packaging blankets and other miscellaneous items in their warehouse, to even writing thank you letters to people who have donated and those who support the charity.

The staff here have been nothing short of amazing – so friendly. Interns at Operation Orphan (Nicole and Emma) have been supervising us during our stay here. Such angels! When we first came, we met Brad who told us about all of the amazing contributions that the charity have made to the places around them. They have branches in countries like Jamaica and Ukraine. Doing this has really opened our eyes to how the world really is and no matter how much injustice there is; there are always people who want to help.

Bella’s experience

When I signed up for Duke Of Edinburgh, I thought about my volunteering section and how I wanted to do something impactful. Then when our school elected our year group charity, I just knew I wanted to do that. Since I have come here, it has been an eye opening experience. The stories from Brad, to the amount of donations that come from people. It has been great volunteering here.

Zara’s experience

When Bella first told me about Operation Orphan, I just knew that I had to join in and make the world a better place. Operation Orphan have helped so many children all over the world and I am so thankful to be a part of this process. Just hearing the stories about how they have been around the world and helping people who have experienced environmental factors like natural disasters such as mudslides and floods. It is so inspiring!

Susie’s experience

When my friend Bella first told me that there is a space in Operation Orphan I thought that it was a perfect opportunity for me to join the local charity community and try to help people around the world even the tiniest bit, like packing blankets of various sizes, shapes and ship them to children in Ukraine. At the start, I had very little things to be proud of and desperately wanted something good to dedicate my time to. Starting this has really improved my mental state and made me have a more positive outlook on the world. I am so proud of being in such a large community that help so many people escape from their dark place that they are in!