By Emilie Ng
NOT every child has the luxury of regular holidays, so St Vincent de Paul Society Gold Coast and Country Youth representative Emmaline Ayling brings the holidays to children.
Emmaline joined 25 volunteers for last month’s Vinnies Gold Coast and Country Kids Camps, which offers children from disadvantaged homes a chance to have a holiday or break from their normal schedule.
While it can be 72 hours of physically and emotionally challenging work, Emmaline said giving children a gift they might never receive was worth the struggle.
“We help create a lifelong memory for these kids, many of whom will never have the chance to take a holiday,” Emmaline said
“It’s phenomenal to go back to your life knowing that you’ve given a child 72 hours they’ll never forget.”
The 22-year-old started volunteering for Vinnies Kids Camps three years ago.
She said while it was “probably one of the hardest things we do as volunteers” the camps were “the most worthwhile”.
Being able to break through barriers with children, particularly those who find it hard to engage in conversation, is a highlight for Emmaline.
“Your sole purpose is to be engaged with the kids,” Emmaline said.
A touching moment happened when a “challenging cabin” would not fall sound asleep.
“Instead of fighting them, we just joined in, sat with them and spoke with them,” she said.
“It was really touching as they began asking meaningful questions about growing up, making friends.
“They responded to us because they felt respected for who they are as people.”
Emmaline said blaming parents for their children’s problems was “not fair” as many parents were already living difficult lives.
“Kids end up the way they do because that’s all they’ve known,” she said.
Anyone interested in volunteering with the St Vincent de Paul Society youth office can email youth@svdpqld.org.au.
