Volunteers are an essential part of Asia Society Texas' team! Assisting with everything from registration to arts and crafts to receptions, volunteers provide vital support for more than 125 public programs each year and contribute to our mission of advancing cultural exchange.

We'd like to shine a spotlight on one of our volunteers, Abimbola Farinde, whose avid love for films led her to volunteer with Asia Society Texas!

Quick Facts

Name: Abimbola Farinde
Asia Society Texas volunteer since: November 2019
Interests: When I am not volunteering at the Asia Society, I enjoy working out traveling both domestically and internationally. I took a trip to Costa Rica a few years ago and hope to return one day. I have always had a passion for traveling around the world and it is my desire to see more of what the world has to offer.
Favorite volunteer role: My favorite volunteer role is serving as a film assistant. I am an avid film watcher and I appreciate that I can offer my volunteer services and at the same time be exposed to many exceptional films in the process.
Favorite program you've volunteered for: My favorite program that I volunteered for was the Film Screening: One Small Visit and Discussion With Director Jo Chim. The film was truly moving and it was eye-opening to learn about a piece of history that I was not familiar with. Additionally, the audience was able to ask questions from the Abraham family which was an experience I will never forget.

Reflection

For as long as I can remember, I have always enjoyed the act of volunteering. I welcome the ability to give my time, knowledge, and expertise in any capacity, so when I am allowed to give back to the community around me, I make it a point to excel in a task that I am assigned. As a member of the Junior League of Houston (JLH), I am aware of the importance of volunteerism, and the principles that I learned from JLH were reflected in my decision to become a volunteer with Asia Society Texas. Not only did I want to learn more about what AST has to offer, but I wanted to contribute as much as I could to help promote the mission of the organization.

The most memorable moments that I can recall from volunteering with AST would be watching the reactions of audience members to various films, performances, or business and policy programs. The level of fascination that shone through was amazing to witness, motivating me to continue to come back to AST to give my time as a volunteer.

For any person who is considering volunteering with AST, I would highly recommend doing so because you will gain so much knowledge and have many worthwhile experiences that will definitely last a lifetime. You will be giving your time to a valuable cause that has made a mark in Houston and across the world.

About Asia Society Texas

Asia Society Texas believes in the strength and beauty of diverse perspectives and people. As an educational institution, we advance cultural exchange by celebrating the vibrant diversity of Asia, inspiring empathy, and fostering a better understanding of our interconnected world. Spanning the fields of arts, business, culture, education, and policy, our programming is rooted in the educational and cultural development of our community — trusting in the power of art, dialogue, and ideas to combat bias and build a more inclusive society.