Give and Receive

Before arriving, you probably imagined what this project would be like - the people, the place, your role. Now that you’re here, things feel more real: you see how it actually works and how you feel. This reflection helps you pause and recheck with yourself - now that you’re here, what do you want to give to this project, and what do you hope to receive from it? It’s a way to align your expectations with the reality in front of you and start your experience with clarity and intention.

What you will need:

  • A4 paper or printed handout (with two circles or baskets labelled Give and Receive if you like)
  • Pens or markers
  • Optional: coloured paper for group version

Instructions:

  1. Take a sheet of paper and divide it into two parts - it can be a line down the middle, two circles, or two baskets. Label one side Give and the other Receive.

  2. Reflect on “Give.”
    Think about what you want to contribute to this experience - your energy, ideas, skills, or attitudes. What do you bring that could make a difference for others or for the project?

  3. Reflect on “Receive.”
    Now consider what you hope to gain or experience. What do you want to learn, understand, or feel during your volunteering?

  4. Look for balance.
    Compare both sides and reflect:

    • Do they feel connected and balanced?

    • Is there something you’d like to adjust - maybe giving yourself more space to learn, or offering more of your strengths to others?

    • What has changed in what I want to give or receive since I arrived?

    • What feels easy to offer? What feels harder?

  5. Share with your buddy (Optional).
    If reflecting with others, share one thing that you want to give and one thing you hope to receive. Listen without comment - it’s about awareness, not comparison.

Guidance for mentors/facilitators:

  • Use this activity on the first or second day after arrival, when volunteers are settling in.
  • Keep the tone open and curious - this is not about goal-setting, but about awareness and connection. Encourage focus on attitudes and intentions, not just tasks or results.
  • Deepen the reflection with the following prompts:
    • How does what you give contribute to the common experience?
    • What can you receive from others that would help you understand their perspective?
    • How can giving and receiving strengthen trust and connection?
  • Revisit the exercise at the end of the project, asking: “What did I actually feel that I gave and received?” to close the reflection loop.