THE HEART OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT IS VOLUNTEERISM - HOW ARE YOU HELPING OTHERS AROUND NATIONAL VOLUNTEER DAY

 

The National Volunteer Day, is a day marked to encourage change makers and the citizens of Ghana to volunteer in making an impact in their communities and to serve as a platform for volunteers to network, learn skills and experiences.

                                               Volunteers in Accra painting a classroom block

The Ghana Think Foundation in 2013, chose Founders day September 21 now commemorated as Kwame Nkrumah Memorial day to mark the National Volunteers day, speaking to our reporter the Executive Director of Ghana Think Mr. Ato Ulzen-Appiah said "NVDay was inspired by the need for better leadership in Ghana. Our founders did something great for Ghana and we also mark September 21 by doing things for our citizens, communities and country".

                                               Volunteers at Accra providing IT support to people

On December 5, 2013, the Ghana Think Foundation implemented the Ghana Volunteer Program (GVP) as a platform to provide volunteers an opportunity to celebrate the National Volunteer Day by linking them to events near to them.

                                               Volunteers at Wa providing IT support to schools

An average of 80 activities have been held annually since 2013 and all across the 16 regions of Ghana with over thousands of volunteers and a huge number of people benefiting from these activities.

These activities are usually planned by NGOs, organizations such as Rotary, Rotaract, Lions and Leo clubs, groups of friends and different associations and individuals. The impact of this program on beneficiaries and volunteers has been applauded and affirmed on social media since it's inception.

                                          Volunteers at Bolgatanga Painting a classroom block

Speaking on the importance of volunteerism and why one need to be a volunteer the National Coordinator for Rotaract Ghana, Mr. Huda Ibrahim said "For me volunteerism is about making use of my skills and resources for positive community outcomes, while developing myself in the process. I give a part of myself to others and I gain something more in return - friendship, professional development and lots of fun".

The National Volunteer Day has has been celebrated annually, however, in 2020 due to the COVID Pandemic that the world has been fighting with, few volunteers participated physically in the celebration of the National Volunteer Day due to restrictions that were imposed and also for the health and safety of the volunteers.

Volunteering through #NVDay has enabled several people to gain leadership, teamwork and other skills, this is because they have been given the opportunity to learn on the job. There are several volunteering activities all year round for Ghanaians to partake in and learn as well as benefit from their act of volunteerism.

                                                                Volunteer Donating Blood

For this year 2021, the Ghana Volunteer Program is urging people to raise funds to support the needy and also partake in blood donations.

Head of Donor recruitment, Southern Zonal Blood Centre, Mr. David Dodzin Ahiadzro stated that "your selfless gift of blood on this National Volunteer Day will put a smile on that person you never get to know in your life but who will be eternally grateful to you".

This year's National Volunteer Day celebration comes with #NVDay21

You can share what you will be doing on the NVDay or what others are doing on the NVDay with the hashtag. 

You can engage and connect with the Ghana Think team via their website http://volunteeringh.org/ or connect with them via Facebook http://bit.ly/NVDay21Facebook 

                                                    #NVDay21    #GhanaThinkFoundation