Lived experiences of community volunteers: Exploring volunteerism during the pandemic

Abstract

This is a qualitative study using descriptive phenomenology on the lived experiences of community volunteers during the Covid-19 pandemic. Data were collected through interviews, using a semi-structured questionnaire and interview guide. The respondents of the study were 24 community volunteers who assisted in the relief operation when the city was placed under Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ). Results showed that the reasons for volunteering include social responsibility, ease of boredom, and establishing friendships. Despite the fear of contracting the virus, community volunteers assisted in the repacking of rice, canned goods, sugar, legumes, and food items. Other tasks include inventory of the packed goods, sorting and organizing food packs, unloading and loading relief goods to transport trucks, encoding the names of household heads, making reports, and monitoring statistics and distribution of relief goods. The values inherent in the community volunteers are compassion, optimism, and selflessness. The lived experiences of community volunteers shed insights into the importance of volunteerism and the need to support them in the volunteering process.