The Theme of Loneliness

It's been a while since I've posted about my volunteer work, but I've been doing it since August and I've had some interesting experiences. First of all, I go in the evenings, so some nights are quiet and then other nights I'm in survival mode. I assist women with computers or finding information, but what I mostly do is answer the helpline. Most women that call the helpline are regulars, seeking emotional support that they don't have elsewhere.

I have never met some of these women, but I have developed some kind of relationship with them. This may sound cheesy, but I do care for them and want them to be happy. My best nights are when callers say that our conversation was helpful to them; my worst are when some women are in such a state of despair that I worry about them doing bodily harm or when they start a verbal fight with me. Luckily, my encounter with the topic of suicide has been limited.

Most of these women have been abused by someone or by some system. A lot of these women are alone with little family, no friends, and no home. A constant theme I keep hearing is loneliness. One woman asked me if I knew what it was like to not be able to hug anyone or have any physical contact. Another woman told me that she has no family or friends to talk to and craves any type of relationship - even just to talk about her day.

I empathize with these women and ache for them, but I know I cannot truly understand their situation by the simple nature of my own experiences. I have grown up with love, I provide love, and am constantly receiving love by numerous friends and family. As one caller told me, "it's a privileged to have a friend and I don't have it."