My Target for This Experience

Volunteering is not a tourist activity, it often begins with something that calls to us - a situation, a story, or a cause that we can’t stay indifferent to. This reflection invites you to look at what moves you to act, why it matters to you, and how it connects to your values. By understanding what drives you, you strengthen your sense of purpose and solidarity in this project and beyond.

Instructions:

1. Take a sheet of paper and draw three circles, one inside another, like a target (see example below).

2. In each circle write the answers to the following questions:
   Inner circle - What issue or topic feels important to me?
   Write one or two causes, issues, or situations that deeply move or matter to you.
   Middle circle - “Why do I feel connected to it?”
   Add short words, memories, or emotions that explain why this cause resonates with you.
   Outer circle - “How does it connect to my values?”
   Identify the personal values behind your cause - what it represents or stands for in your life. You can choose values from the examples around the circle.

3. Look at the whole target now:

• What do you notice when you look at your whole picture of the target?
• What does it tell you about what’s meaningful to you right now - before going to the volunteering project?

Values are not always easy to name, here are some examples.

Guidance for mentors/facilitators:

• Emphasize that there are no right or wrong answers; everyone connects differently to causes and values.
• Encourage a slower pace - give time for silence and thought.
• Facilitate sharing - remind everyone to listen without interrupting or interpreting. Encourage volunteers to share what they feel comfortable sharing - the map can stay partly private.
• Link the reflection to values of solidarity, empathy, and purpose. This helps participants see volunteering as part of who they are.