International Volunteers Day: Recognising the Efforts of Serving & Saving Lives

International Volunteers Day 2017: Recognising the Efforts of Serving & Saving Lives
Volunteerism is a powerful value for humanity to make desirable change for least advantaged and vulnerable people in everywhere. Volunteers are found everywhere in the world to offer work to save and promote lives. Many organisations offer services with no cost, volunteerism, while others have volunteers programme; these include UN Volunteers, ICRC, UNAs, Doctors without border, African Union Youth Volunteer Corps, and many others. Volunteerism can be a cause of Peace, Humanitarian assistance, and Development through public participation in many places in the world by taking risks to end human sufferings; therefore, According to the UN, International Volunteers Day (IVD) was mandated by UN General Assembly to hold every year on 5 December to recognise, promote, and support the values of volunteerism and their work to communities. Fortunately, I took part the celebration of International Volunteers Day 2017 at Nakivubo Primary school in Kampala in sprit IVD 2017’s theme #VolunteersActFirst. Here. Everywhere.

Many volunteer organisation gathered the celebration event at Nakivubo Primary school such as UN Volunteers Uganda, United Nations Association of Uganda, AISEC Uganda, Uganda Red Cross, challenge World Wide and others. IVD 2017’s celebrations were full activities and inspirations demonstrated by volunteers, students, community members and leaders; fire and safety demonstration by Uganda Police Force, first aid demonstration by Uganda Red Cross, blood donation and tree planting by all participants of the event. The  Minister of State for Relief and Disaster Preparedness,Hon. Ecweru Musa Francis was the keynote speaker of the event who hailed The United Nations Volunteers Uganda, Uganda Red Cross and others for their committed work to help people. Two of Nakivubo Primary school students were presented heart rocking speeches during the event; Joshua A. and Sabrina Ahmed. “My names is Sabrina Ahmed, a refugee from the Federal Republic Somalia. I thank the government of Uganda for showing us love and treating us as one of their own. We learn and share resources with other children. God bless Uganda.” and Joshua A. insisted “It’s our responsibility to spread the spirit of volunteering to serve and save lives. Let’s put our hands together to appreciate the immeasurable, and in most cases, risky services offered by volunteers all over the world”. Finally, H.E Rosa Malango, The Resident Coordinator of UN Uganda, donated some materials, First Aid Kit, Dustbins, Fire extinguishers, footballs, netballs and other to Nakivubo Primary school management and also awarded to Sabrina and Joshua.

In conclusion, volunteerism has a significant impact on societies, and it is humane value for social progress and cohesion; therefore, a community without or fewer volunteers will long live with human sufferings. I have a remarkable history of and volunteerism. I have been volunteering since my primary school up to now in tertiary education. Currently, I am a volunteer at United Nations Association of Uganda and Kampala International University Student’s Body. However, Let us at least volunteer, inspire volunteers and believe in volunteerism.