The Motivational Power of Boroume# 16

Fern Deliyannis recently joined the volunteering team of Boroume. From the first moment, she inspires you with her inherent courtesy and her willingness to learn and offer. For Mrs. Deliyiannis, volunteerism has no beginning, start or middle. Neither age. For her volunteerism is a constant effort to change the world and make it a better place.

Some words about you: My name is Fern Deliyannis and I recently joined the volunteering team of Boroume. I have been living in Greece over the last 40 years. For 38 years I have been working as an English teacher at PIERCE - The American College of Greece. I am a mother of two children and a grandmother of two grandchildren. In the past I was also a volunteer at the award giving ceremonies at the Athens Olympic Games in 2004. It was a unique experience that I will never forget. 

Why did you decide to become a volunteer: After my retirement, I had already decided to become a volunteer once again.  I just didn’t know where and how. During last summer I saw a TV interview involving Boroume and immediately the organization attracted my interest. Food waste was always of big concern to me. The idea that I could also contribute to no single food portion being lost in my country was very appealing. During my first meetings with the team, I felt immediately a great warmth. Indescribable I would say. 

What reactions do you get: Positive. There is no person who does not applaud any attempt to offer to the society. Some, of course, are quite impressed in the sense that they would expect for me to follow a different path after my retirement. On the other hand, there are also my English and American friends who live in Greece, who consider my decision natural, because volunteering is strong in their culture.

How easy / difficult is it to talk to someone about volunteering: Talking about volunteering is not easy for me, because I have the impression that volunteering is not very common as an attitude, as a way of life. It's not in our culture yet I would say. However, when I get the chance, I am very happy to share my experiences. Other people always learn something from them. 

How easy it is not to throw away food: Not throwing away food is not always easy, but when we realize how much need there is in the world, it becomes easier and so we set it as a goal in our home with our family. 

How would you describe the Boroume team in three words: In three words, I would describe it as dedicated, organized, gentle.

Share with us an incident from your participation in Boroume that impressed you: On the very first day in the office, after my first food networking, Barbara from Boroume team told me: "You just saved 100 portions of food!".  As you can see, I felt great. And then I said: That was it! I'm where I should be.