This article was written by Gianella, Customer Support at 24Slides Peru, as part of 24Slides’ #StorytellerProgram.
Asking for help can be hard. Sometimes, it seems more acceptable to say no than to take a moment to support someone—support that could profoundly impact their life.
24Slides isn’t just a presentation design agency—we’re a B Corp driven by a commitment to social and environmental impact. Today, I would like to share my experience volunteering during the wildfire crisis in Peru.
Wildfire Crisis in Peru
During August and September 2024, devastating wildfires swept through 22 regions of Peru, leaving communities and wildlife struggling to recover. The destruction was overwhelming, with entire areas affected and countless lives lost.
Many of the authorities seemed not to care enough. People’s voices were louder than the political leaders’, even when the scale of the disaster was devastating.
In this situation, civilian, medical, and veterinary volunteers, along with firefighters, emerged as true heroes. Despite challenging conditions and limited resources, they risked their lives to fight the flames and protect others.
This crisis was a powerful reminder of how fragile life can be and how much we rely on each other to start rebuilding, even at our worst.
My experience in the Collection Center
In September, various organizations established aid collection points throughout the country. We joined efforts at the Collection Center of the Municipality of Lima, which focused on providing donations to firefighters going to the critical wildfire zones.
Two 24Sliders and I had the chance to volunteer together that very same day, collecting and sorting donations. We also encouraged pedestrians and visitors to donate, providing information on what donations would be most helpful—such as water, non-perishable food, and medicine. Some others passed by without understanding our purpose, so we took a more engaging and fun approach.
Coming from a creative background at 24Slides, we grabbed a megaphone, created some catchy phrases, and sang a few silly songs. We wanted to capture people’s attention and encourage them to donate, hoping our energy would draw them in.
It was incredible to see how people responded! After this initiative, even more people stopped by the collection center, asking questions. While some couldn’t donate then, they learned more about the situation and promised to return in the coming days with some donations.
While volunteering, we also met workers who had dedicated their lives to helping others. Hearing their stories was both inspiring and heartbreaking, as they seemed to have lost faith in humanity’s goodness. Frustrated and discouraged, we did our best to lift their spirits.
At the end of the day, our goal was to make even the smallest difference—like a single drop in the ocean helping create a bigger wave.
It’s easy to believe that our individual actions have little impact. But, in fact, during this experience I saw first-hand how one small effort could spark others to act, creating a ripple effect that makes a real difference for those in need.
#24Volunteer: A space for giving back to our community
Eight 24Sliders from our Lima office volunteered in the Collection Center, sorting and organizing donations at different support points. This effort was part of the 24Volunteer program, which allows us to volunteer during workdays and receive an extra vacation day if we volunteer on weekends.
Being part of the 24Volunteer program has been an incredibly rewarding experience for me, as it was my first time volunteering with the company. It allowed me to give back to my community and brought me closer to my colleagues while working together for a common cause.
This experience not only made me feel more connected to the world around me, but it also helped me become more engaged and inspired to continue making an impact. It reminded me that companies like 24Slides can truly make a difference and make the world a better place.
