What is Volunteering Services?

Volunteering services is an unpaid activity where someone gives their time to help a not-for-profit organisation or an individual who they are not related to or for community development. While volunteering the training and hands-on experience you gain helps you to learn new skills and build upon the skills you already have. For example, if you are a volunteer that advocates and raises awareness for a cause that interests you, you’ll gain valuable communication, public speaking and marketing skills. You may put these skills on your resume to enhance your skill set.

The Greek philosopher Aristotle once said that the essence of life is “to serve others and do good,” and it seems an increasing number of us are starting to wake up and see why volunteering is important. People are starting to understand how serving and helping each other and different communities benefits not just others but ourselves, too. Unpaid volunteers helps hold a community together by dedicating their time and some volunteering works can lead to job opportunities with the experiences you gain through volunteering. As a volunteer he or she must give their time and skills, without pay, for the benefit of others, the local community and very importantly yourself so as to build your career and area of interest.

Why you need to volunteer?: Volunteering can give you the skills and confidence you need to get into work, climb the career ladder or expand your circle of friends.

Who can be a volunteer?: Anyone that is willingness to get involved and help can be a volunteer.

Can expenses be paid while volunteering?: It is good practice for organisations to pay volunteers’ expenses to cover things like travel expenses and meal allowances. However not all organisations do, so it is worth checking before you start to volunteer

Importance of Volunteering

“Volunteering is important as it offers essential help to worthwhile causes, people in need, and the wider community.”

The Work of An NGOs

NGOs are non-governmental organizations set up purposely as a beneficial program for the less privileged and socially affected citizens of a country. It is a non-profit making organization which is organized on a local, national and international level. It is driven by people with a common interest to perform a variety of services and humanitarian functions. NGOs focus on numerous aspects that are indeed important to the citizens of a country. Such aspects include: human rights, legal support, promoting education, promoting vocational skills, agricultural development, encouraging social responsibility, poverty alleviation, supporting human welfare, development of communities, health or environment, etc.

NGOs are mostly set up to improve the lives of people by providing much-needed services free of charge. There are lots of NGOs in Nigeria with various activities that cannot be overlooked. Many Non governmental organizations (NGOs) rely on the generosity of volunteers as often they are only part-funded through government or local councils, and cannot afford to pay salaries for all their staff.

YALI RLC Community Development Service

The YALI RLC Community Development Service held 26th October 2018 was done to catch young Entrepreneurs in Secondary School. This opportunity gave the students to generate entrepreneurial skills and while interacting with the students they said they want to have skills either in computer science, baking, fashion, agriculture, shoe and bag making etc. The students were encouraged to take their education serious because knowledge is the key to success. Apart from the YALI RLC Community Development Service, she was a volunteer to a four days skills training for 30 children from orphanages and the training was organized by Voice Intitative for Women and Girls (VIWAG). She was also a volunteer for a free training program at the the WORLD OF LIFE BIBLE CHURCH, EAGLE WINGS BRANCH – IGBOGIDI in conjunction with J.D. FOH DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION, an event hosted by Mrs Bridgeta Affiah to mark her 50th Birthday.

The Students Practical Work from the Training

Lily Douere Bandotubo, the CEO of LIWONDER FOOD ‘N’ GLOBAL EVENTS has volunteer with various NGOs and have also carried out community development services that has impacted various lives.