Rarely a fresh-graduate gets an opportunity to be trained and learn without paying. But this is what happened to me, when I started my voluntary work at JREDS on October 2003 till June 2004.

During my voluntary work period at JREDS, I was exposed to different activities which enabled me to gain an appropriate background for the development world. I found the place where access to learn about management is available; each knows what the other team member is doing. I felt that I'm one of the team because I was given a chance to take responsibility of many activities.

There also I got the chance to learn about different cultures and mentalities. JREDS gave me the opportunity to be the team leader of the Jordanian group who attended the seminar of "Environment as a Heritage Aspect" in Italy. There I learned a lot about environment and I found true friendship.

Finally, I would like to thank the Executive Director of JREDS Mr. Fadi Sharaiha for all the doors that he opened wide for me. This learning experience encouraged me to introduce my sister to become another volunteer for JREDS. Tala my sister is working as an accountant officer there.

I cannot say enough about the lovely feeling you can get through volunteering and helping our society and I will never forget what I learned at JREDS. I would like to encourage everyone to do the same as I did.

Atheer Aranki