A world without volunteers would be a sad world
Every day, millions of individuals across the planet engage in development initiatives through volunteer actions – both large and small – in order to improve conditions for others and for themselves, their families and communities.
Personally I gain a lot from working for free
Amongst other things, volunteering makes me feel more connected to others, and I become less absorbed in the normal stresses of daily life.
For me the advantages of volunteering are obvious, but what about the organizations I have worked for, e.g. like KIFAD?
Volunteers allow organizations to cover their specific staff needs
KIFAD - Kiyita Family Alliance for Development is an organization based in Wakiso, supporting people infected and affected by HIV/AIDS. Since 2008 they are regularly hosting international volunteers.
Volunteers had a huge impact on the work of KIFAD in the past. They have brought valuable skills, enhanced capacities in all kinds of areas, delivered basic services, made their expertise available to members of the team and helped to collect donations and funds.
Without volunteers, KIFAD probably would not be where they are today and program manager Bob is well aware of this fact.
But not for all team members the benefits of having a volunteer within the organization are so obvious.
Therefore we organized a workshop on volunteering during my deployment, together with Uganda Pioneers Association and EU Aid Volunteer Hanna (Adice).
In a three hour session we discussed different aspects of volunteering and clarified:
- what it means to be a volunteer,
- why it is important to volunteer and to receive volunteers and
- how everyone can make the most out of it?
At the end of the day, KIFADs' staff had a much clearer picture on volunteering, its benefits and potentials.
We certainly have created a few more volunteering ambassadors
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| Sam and me, ready to go! |
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| Sam is giving the definition of a volunteer |
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| Little game in between: making sculping emotions |
