1. Childhood: Where did you grow up? Describe your parent(s) and/or guardian(s). Who were other significant persons for you during this part of your life (i.e., brothers, sisters, friends, teachers)? How did you like your childhood? Were there any particularly wonderful or difficult moments during these years?
2. Adolescence: How did you like your "teen years?" Who were the significant people for you then? In what were you interested? What were the life issues that emerged from this time? In what ways does this period of your life impact you now?
3. Early Adulthood/Adult Life: What experiences led you to choose your present commitment? Who are the important people in your life? What motivated your decision to enter your current occupation/ministry/field of study? Describe some significant growth experiences you have had as an adult.
4. Additional Questions: Describe a time in your life when you experienced transition. What was helpful to you as you transitioned (friends, family, prayer, etc.)? What did you learn about yourself during this time? How do you anticipate you will approach this transition into life as a Mercy volunteer (new culture, structure of life, people)?
5. At many of our service placements, volunteers work alongside vulnerable populations often impacted by varying degrees of abuse, violence, trauma or neglect. Have you experienced any form of abuse, violence or trauma in your personal life or been exposed to it in any way? If so, how have you coped with it? In what ways has the experience affected and/or continued to affect your life?