Photo Credit: http://www.israelmint.com/?section=465&product=3474&lineItem=1587

The “reward” or “payment” for working is a check, bonus or promotion. For volunteering it is different since the motivation is not what you will get in return. A smile, flower or a look of joy in someone’s eyes is enough.

I would like to share with you something I received from a student in the university. She was working to support herself and had been diagnosed with learning difficulties but was told she would not be exempt from fulfilling the English requirements of the university. She met me with tears of disappointment and frustration in her eyes.

Later, after much hard work, she received passing marks on three tests and her eyes regained their sparkle and even her posture and walk changed. This is what she wrote:

(Translated from the Hebrew)

I want to say a small word

But a word that says a lot,

Wrapped in so much love,

A word that brings a smile to the face,

And makes one feel good for many years

A word of four letters

That is on my heart.

Toda.

For all that you did for me.

With love, “M”.

Noah Margalit is the coordinator of the professional English volunteer teachers who help mainly Ethiopian students. More volunteers are needed.