BY LELUSEGED WORKU
Every individual has a purpose in life. This purpose is not merely to live for himself but also for others. No matter how economically strong a person is, there must be someone to help or support; not only because it is morally right; but also it has far greater benefits to his own true self. In this regard, volunteerism creates inner peace and spiritual well-being and freedom to that man who is devoting his energy and resources for the wellbeing of others, and stretching his hands for the impoverished one.
Volunteering is a non-profitable activity that people carry out as a way to find purpose in life aside from the sake of their mental satisfaction and fulfilling their self-desire.
As a soldier sacrifices his priceless life for the sake of others, volunteers are also always working to produce something good that has considerable impact on the lives of less fortunate, meet their expectations and make a difference to their lives. They serve irrespective of age, religion, color or other grounds.
Kiremt, [rainy season in Ethiopia] is not always a welcomed season for all persons as many poor, elderly and vulnerable communities will suffer from the cold weather and other challenges that might come to happen following the season and their way of livings. Absence of proper nutrition coupled with poorly built and dilapidated shelters is one of the severe challenges they face. Such people who are living in poverty are direct victims of such challenges.
Seeing this problem, the City Administration, Ministries and individuals are working to betterment the lives of those individuals through providing voluntary services. Reconstruction and renovation of shanty houses is one of the voluntary activities the City Administration and other Ministries are seriously performing these days.
As a result, many people who were compelled to lead a miserable life; and had been suffering from the consequences the rainy season, have got some type of relief subsequent to Kiremt voluntary services.
Lately, the Ministry of Health, in the presence of Health Minister Dr. Liya Tadesse, senior officials and employees of the Ministry, has launched its voluntary service in Woreda 5, Lideta Sub City to renovation of elders’ houses.
As it is learned, the Ministry in this rainy season will built 12 houses of elder people in the capital and five houses in regional states.
Speaking on the event, Dr. Liya said that voluntary service is part of Ethiopians’ culture of supporting one another. It is a legacy that should be transferred to the coming generation. The Ministry, in its Volunteers program is undertaking plant tree seedlings in addition to restoration of old houses. It also plans to offer free health services to the low income sections of the society across the country.
Last year, 2021, the Ministry built and handed over 22 houses for vulnerable residing in the Capital and in states, it was learned.
Indeed, as it was noted by the Minister, voluntary service should be part and parcel of our culture. Ethiopia and supporting one another are two sides of a single coin. This is the true identity of Ethiopia. Helping one another needs not only fortune; it also needs kind heart and fellow feeling.
According to Liyuneh Tamirat, President of Inspired Ethiopia Youth Association, voluntarism needs a pure heart. The rest will come later. An individual with a large amount of money but zero level of interest for voluntarism would not have interest to be engaged in free services and serving others. The same is true for those educated individuals with an idea that can change the whole world. Even if they have all the skill and the wisdom to change the life of others, their will is needed to be voluntary. If there is no interest within their heart, change cannot be witnessed. However, whenever there are pure hearts, there is always a will to change the society. Individuals with pure hearts need only opportunities. That is why they are sacrificing their precious time and energy to help others.
Liyuneh also said that investing in the mind of individuals is investing in the nation. This is particularly true for those youth generations who are currently immersed in social media. By inculcating constructive ideas, it is possible to shape their perspective about their world. In this regard, Inspire Ethiopia, together with other stakeholders, is doing its level best to change the perspective of the youth in voluntary activities.
Using the available means, youths are getting training in areas of job creation, innovation so as to build young people who are ardent to their fellow citizens and concerned about their country. According to him, voluntarism needs open minded individuals who contribute their part by considering the pain of others. Voluntarism needs putting one`s feet in the shoes of others. By doing that s/he would understand the situations and pains of others. Therefore, Inspire Ethiopia provides such training for youth.
Currently, more than 1,000 volunteers are sent to different parts of the country. According to him, in addition to face to face activities, the volunteers will also address not less than ten million youths online to shape their perspective in various areas. “Using available social media, we are inspiring and investing in youth in areas of self-development, consulting services and job creation activities consistently for sixty days”.
In addition to addressing those youth online, we have engaged volunteers in various areas of the country in donating books, education materials and other necessary supplies including clothes, planting seedlings, feeding the impoverished ones. What is more, youths are also voluntarily engaged in peace building activities.
The issue of peace and stability are the major concerns of every nation. Whenever peace and stability are realized, the economic performance of that given nation is observable. In this regard, the role of the youths is vital. Without the active involvement of the youths, peace, stability and growth are unthinkable.
As a nation of youth, Ethiopia has a great advantage to sustain its peace, preserve its stability and speed up its economy through its peace loving youth. In this regard, involving the youth in voluntary services has both economic and social benefits.
The service has a great role not only in supporting the society or the economy. It has also a significant role in bringing youth from different parts of the country together, and allowing them to share their knowledge and cultural experience to each other. This in turn will broaden their awareness regarding diverse cultures; and enable the youth to respect the cultural values of others.
Besides, by using their untapped knowledge and creativity, the nation can make a difference on its economic progress.
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD FRIDAY 5 AUGUST 2022
