Africa #5 - What motivates a volunteer

Motivation is an interesting topic to consider. What motivates anybody to do anything these days? There are the classic motivators like money, power, prestige, personal satisfaction, etc., but which one motivates people to volunteer? And when I am referring to volunteers, I am not necessarily talking about people in my position, who give a few hours a week or a few weeks in a summer. I am considering the people who invest their own personal savings, blood, sweat and tears to start and maintain a volunteer organization or live life as a volunteer.

As I think about why I chose to spend part of this summer volunteering instead of staying home or traveling for pleasure (or working!), I am not sure I can answer that question about myself. For me personally, there is definitely a spiritual aspect. I also feel the need to know more about myself in different situations so I can understand what my personal motivation in life is all about.

However, for the vast amount of volunteers that I have met here, religion/personal faith/spirituality/call it what you like is not a motivator of any sort. I do not believe it is money that's for sure, but perhaps something opposite of that. Many of the people who I have crossed paths with enjoy being able to get away from the rat race that is daily life and at the same time, be involved in projects that will change lives. I don't think that satisfaction at seeing something good come out of their work can be a motivator either, since so many of these projects take years and years to complete and even then, the results are mixed.

So I am left questioning what motivates people to give up life as they know it and volunteer their time, either locally, regionally or internationally? Is there a common thread amongst all of these people? There is some level of sacrifice involved in all cases, and if my experience is any indication, moments of frustration and feelings of failure, but also moments of joy and feelings of success.