Volunteers of “Vaikų linija”: when you hear relief in a child’s voice — the day becomes meaningful

Volunteers of “Children’s Line”: when you hear relief in a child’s voice, the day becomes meaningful
The emotional support service “Children’s Line” is inviting people to volunteer — to listen to children going through difficulties by phone and online. New knowledge and skills useful in communication, children’s thanks and returned smiles, meeting like-minded people, and a more frequent sense of meaning — this is the reward for volunteering enjoyed by “Children’s Line” counselors already volunteering in Vilnius and Kaunas.
On September 8, “Children’s Line,” marking its 19th anniversary, is this year able to answer 1 out of 4 children’s calls (for comparison, in 2015 “Children’s Line” could answer 1 out of 9, and in 2014 — 1 out of 17 calls). The growing team of volunteer counselors in recent years makes it possible to listen to more children — at the moment, around 200 people of various ages and professions volunteer in Vilnius and Kaunas. By expanding its activities, “Children’s Line” aims to train and prepare even more volunteers for counseling, so they could answer every child or teenager seeking support.
“I came to ‘Children’s Line’ because I believed that it is important for a child, just like for an adult, to be heard and understood. Now I believe that even more. When, after a long phone conversation with an unfamiliar child, after long pauses and timid stories about what is so important to them at that moment, I hear relief in their voice, I feel that the day has been meaningful,” admits Laura, a volunteer at “Children’s Line.” Volunteer Egidijus agrees with her: “At ‘Children’s Line’ I experienced how a sincere conversation, listening to a child, and simply being with them gives the child new hope, a brighter mood, and greater self-confidence. I feel good when I can help someone else.”
Anyone who has reached adulthood and could dedicate about 20 hours a month to listening to children can become a volunteer at “Children’s Line.”
“What I remember most are the conversations that begin with tears, fear, and distrust of ‘Children’s Line,’ but with hope that maybe something good will happen. And when those conversations end with thanks, laughter, and a promise to call again, I understand that we managed to live up to the child’s hope and that something good did happen,” says Julija, a volunteer at “Children’s Line” and an Italian language student. “By volunteering, I realized that behind aggressive and swearing children there is enormous fear and a lack of self-confidence,” shares artist Andrius. Architect Kristina recalls a moving volunteering experience: “I could not hold back tears while reading a child’s thank-you for answering their earlier letter, which drove away thoughts of suicide and gave ideas on how to help oneself in a difficult time. In moments like these, I especially enjoy being part of ‘Children’s Line.’”
Those who want to volunteer at “Children’s Line” are invited to register for selection in Vilnius or Kaunas (registration is here: http://goo.gl/5kUNjf). After the group selection, during which the motivation of those wishing to volunteer and their ability to counsel children are assessed, the selected volunteers take part in courses lasting about 4 months. In these trainings, volunteers learn active listening, situation analysis and finding solutions, exploring feelings, and delve into the difficulties faced by children and teenagers.
“The most valuable thing I gained from the training and volunteering was how to listen to a person so that you truly hear them, how to get them talking so they want to open up. After the training, there were no ‘awkward’ topics left (for example, suicide, puberty, the loss of a loved one) that would be difficult to discuss. My perspective broadened greatly, and that process continues,” notes Kristina, a volunteer at “Children’s Line.” “Volunteering at ‘Children’s Line’ gave me opportunities to grow, new knowledge and skills that I successfully apply in my professional work,” says water sports master and coach Aušra. “Here, volunteering taught me to listen, not to rush, not to pressure anyone into making decisions, not to impose my own, and simply to stay with a person when they need it. It helps me everywhere: communicating with my teenage son, negotiating with demanding clients, or comforting a sad friend,” says Laura, a mother of two, delighted by the gifts of volunteering.
“Children’s Line” invites everyone looking for meaning and a friendly community to join the organization’s activities and experience the joy of volunteering themselves.
“At ‘Children’s Line’ I met people who change the world through their good deeds. Volunteering gives meaning to everyday life, reminds you each time how lucky you are, and allows you to look at yourself from a new angle,” says marketing specialist and mother Edita. “Children’s Line” allowed me to remember those ‘childish’ problems that often seem funny and that we grow out of. The feeling is indescribable when you know that you are helping a growing person for whom those problems are still very real,” admits Marat, who is studying medicine. Student Viktorija also values volunteering: “I am immensely grateful to ‘Children’s Line’ for priceless life lessons, the people I have met, the sense of meaning, and a completely different perception of the world — I hope this will remain my second home for many more years...”
About “Children’s Line”:
The activities of “Children’s Line” in Lithuania are organized by: Public Institution “Children’s Line” in Vilnius, Kaunas Children’s Welfare Center “Pastogė,” Kaunas Dainava Youth Center, and the Klaipėda Pedagogical Psychological Service. “Children’s Line,” providing help to children via the European number 116111, cooperates with specialists from the State Child Rights Protection and Adoption Service.
“Children’s Line” is a long-time member of the Lithuanian Association of Emotional Support Services, belongs to the international organization “Child Helpline International,” which unites 183 helplines for children in 142 countries around the world, is one of the organizations that founded the European Anti-Bullying Network and a member of this network, and belongs to the European network of national safer internet centers “Insafe.”
In 2016, the activities of “Children’s Line” are financially supported by: the NGO Program of the Financial Mechanism of the European Economic Area, “Teo,” “Western Union,” “Nordea” bank, the Ministry of Social Security and Labour, the European Commission’s Safer Internet Programme, Vilnius City Municipality, Kaunas City Municipality, “Blucast,” and private individuals who provide support through the Aukok.lt donation portal, at fundraising events, via direct transfers, or by allocating part of their income tax. The service is supported with goods and services by: Vilnius City Municipality, “Mediaskopas,” “Spinter tyrimai,” “Not Perfect,” “Drop audio,” the law firm “Bagdanskis iLAW,” hotel “Regina,” 15min.lt, “M-1,” LRT, “Žinių radijas,” “Power Hit Radio,” “Kelyje,” the “Kino pavasaris” festival, and “JCDecaux Lietuva.” Friends who motivate “Children’s Line” volunteers: cinema “Pasaka,” “Multikino,” the Lithuanian National Drama Theatre, Keistuoliai Theatre, Art Printing House, music club “Tamsta,” the Lithuanian State Symphony Orchestra, Kristupas Summer Festival, publishing house “Šviesa.”