Where is help needed?

Now that I quit school counselling I look to do pro bono counselling for children. So I started to research on welfare organisations that may require my service. As I intend to use sandplay therapy extensively, I also assess the organisations based on my perception of their readiness to embrace expressive therapy. I came up with a short priority list and decided to approach the first 2.  After my encounter with them I have this impression that the disadvantaged are often trapped in a cycle of their disadvantages.

In order that my readers do not form subjective opinion based on my experience, I shall omit the details of my encounter and will just call these 2 organisations Org A and Org B. I emailed both at around the same time attaching my resume. Both websites have welcomed volunteers and provide email addresses for those interested. Org A is top on my priority list because I feel the children there need my service more. I approached Org B because its management seems very open and forward looking.

Org A failed to respond. This despite my putting 'Volunteer Counsellor' as the subject matter of the email. After one week and fearing my email went to their junk mail, I called to enquire. I was told that due to limited resources they usually take 2 to 3 weeks to respond to such enquiries.They could at least build an auto acknowledgement reply.

Org B on the other hand responded in less than 24 hours. My email was routed to the head of the org who invited me for lunch. She was excited about sandplay therapy and immediately made an appointment for me to meet the person in charge. Without revealing too much details I just want to say that after my second visit and after a lengthy discussion with the ground staff, I conclude that this org does not rank high in my priority list based on needs. The children there received loads of attention and care from volunteers in various fields.

Meanwhile I have not given up on Org A; I am waiting patiently to talk to the person in charge when she comes back from her long leave. Who knows? Those who are slow to get help may need the most help.