Today is International Volunteer Day, and the Hospitaller Order of Saint John of God is launching a short film to express our gratitude for their valuable work, featuring testimonials from people who collaborate with our institution, totaling 25,500 worldwide and more than 4,000 in Spain. With Juan Ciudad ONGD, approximately 50 people each participate in international volunteering in Africa, Latin America, and Asia.
They all donate their time to help other people who are ill or in vulnerable situations, performing a wide variety of tasks, including providing support, raising awareness, facilitating activities, and organizing activities. In total, they participate in nearly 70 San Juan de Dios social and healthcare centers across Spain, in various areas: hospital, social, disability, mental health, and senior care.
With the aim of highlighting this important work and expressing gratitude for their altruism and solidarity, the Hospitaller Order has created a video highlighting the transformative value of volunteering. Volunteers emphasize how their experience stems from a commitment to contributing to a better and more just world, transforming their lives and the lives of those they support, impacting their families and society as a whole. The 68% members of the San Juan de Dios Volunteer Program in our country are women, and the majority are between 44 and 65 years of age. The tasks provided by these volunteers are very diverse, including support (group and individual), free-time entertainment (talks, excursions, games), raising awareness among young people and students, support in rehabilitation workshops (music, dance, organic gardening), and support in event organization.
This video was created thanks to a grant from the Ministry of Health, Consumer Affairs, and Social Welfare for Other Purposes of Social Interest.
Fernando Rivilla, a pediatric surgeon who has worked for more than 10 years at OHSJD hospitals in Africa, shares his experience in the short film.
Saint John of God Volunteer Program (VSJD)
- Currently, the Hospitaller Order of Saint John of God (OHSJD) has 25,500 volunteers worldwide, of whom more than 4,000 are in Spain. They collaborate in nearly 70 centers in Spain and more than 10 countries in Africa, Latin America, and Asia, through its cooperative organization, Juan Ciudad ONGD.
- The San Juan de Dios Volunteer Program works in solidarity with various groups through the Hospitaller Order's social and healthcare centers in its various areas of activity: hospital, social, disability, mental health, and seniors.
- The Hospitaller Order of Saint John of God has relied on volunteer support since its inception nearly 500 years ago, making it a fundamental pillar of its mission to help people with illnesses and in vulnerable situations.
Hospitaller Order of Saint John of God (OHSJD)
- In Spain, the OHSJD serves nearly one and a half million people in its social and health centers, has 216 Brothers and 14,000 staff.
- The OHSJD is present on five continents worldwide through 400 centers in 52 countries, and has 1,048 Brothers and 62,000 workers.
- The OHSJD serves more than 30 million people worldwide each year in its hospitals and outpatient centers.
Source: Adriana Castro. Communications Manager, Juan Ciudad NGO.
