I t is obvious that many of us are familiar with the term volunteerism. Nevertheless, most of us may not understand as it is a basket term with a vast idea that should be seen from the perspectives of individual’s spiritual and moral aspect.
Here, any one must take into consideration that the two aspects spiritual and moral aspects are the major deriving factors which motivate individuals for volunteerism. In the same way, it should not be forgotten that volunteerism has its own inherent principles such as willingness, free service, humanity, internationalism and respecting others values.
In addition, volunteerism gives an opportunity especially for the youth to know the various cultures of other communities and to obtain work experience as well as to learn best experiences from others. On top of that, it is used as a system to harness the knowledge and energy of the youth.
In the area of economic development of a country it has an immense contribution. For instance, studies show that it contributes over 10 billion USD to global economy. In the case of Ethiopia, it would not be exaggerations if one says that volunteerism is not a newly emerging societal value for the majority of its people.
The daily lives of the people are proofs for the long-existence of the values among the community, deep entrenched in their religious doctrines, cultural activities and social norms. Sayings such as “Bego Bemehon Yigegnal” literally translated as “Being volunteer will pay off sooner or later” clearly witness how Ethiopians encourage volunteerism in their society.
Similarly, volunteer services offered to comfort bereaved family at times of loss of loved ones could help us better understand the extent to which the people cherish volunteerism. Though it is hard to trace the exact time that institutional volunteerism started here, some literature show as the practice become visible during the invasion of Fascist Italy.
Many Ethiopians served as Red Cross volunteers. Similarly during the era of Emperor Haileselassie I, very few students gathered and formed scout clubs with the aim of promoting good personality and patriotism among the students. Unfortunately, the club failed to continue during the Derg regime due to many reasons.
Nonetheless, within the last two decades again youth volunteerism service gained momentum and has shown improvements both in the quality of service and in areas of volunteerism. For that matter, currently it is not a new event to see volunteer student traffic polices along the streets of Addis, they help pedestrians cross roads without hassling— contributing to, may be, decline of one of the public health challenges, road traffic accident.
Likewise, it becomes a usual practice for higher institution students to give tutorial services on voluntary basis to students of secondary school. Rarely a few Diaspora are seen giving medical services for patients who are unable to cover the high expenses for their medical treatments.
Moreover, the number of youth volunteers who participate in areas of health, education, environment protection, city beautification as well as elderly and AIDS patients care and support has shown a notable growth.
According to Matheos Aseffa youth participation and mobilization Director in The Federal Ministry of Women, Children and Youth Affairs ( MoWCYA), the number of youth volunteers who participated in various areas of volunteerism increases to 10 million in 2018/19 from 4.5 million where it was in 2002.
Hence, it is possible to say that a third of the Ethiopian youth population give voluntary service to their community. A document in the Ministry also witnessed that, nearly 14 million citizens benefited from the youth volunteerism service.
Recognizing all these paramount importance of youth volunteerism services for the development of the country, the government has been implementing various mechanisms to govern volunteerism in organized manner.
The national Youth Policy which was designed in 2012 and submitted for endorsement in the parliament gave emphasis for youth volunteerism. It stated that creating enabling conditions for the youth to participate in voluntary environmental protection and social services and thereby benefiting themselves and the community at large.
In 2010 youth volunteerism service standard put in place with an objective to initiate the youth for volunteerism. Ministries such as Ministry of Health (MoA), Ministry of Agriculture Ministry of Environment and forest (MoEF), Ministry of Education (MoE) have planned activities that will be implemented by youth volunteers.
As a result of these, encouraging achievements have been put in store. Despite the efforts, challenges still surface along the path hampering future progresses. The agency of the government itself, lack of trained human resource, legal framework guid -volunteerism as well as inadequacy of promotion of volunteerism are just to mention but a few. Hence, it is very important to give due attention for the service. It should get the necessary monitoring, evaluation, coordination and supports, keeping in mind the importance of legal framework to regulate volunteerism.
The Ethiopian Herald April 12, 2019
BY MILLION F. WO.
