Unarguably, almost all senior citizens in their early lifetimes spent their lifetime by parenting, providing care and support for their own children or grandchildren and exerting energies to betterment the future of their member of the family.
At their young age they enjoy life being with their families, siblings, neighborhoods, relatives, friends and co-workers. However, as they grow older, most start experiencing the undesirable consequences of old age- they lose their physical strength and mental health and become dependent on others.
If they are lucky enough, their children or grandchildren may provide them all the necessary support. Unfortunately, this will not always work for all, especially for those senior citizens who either lost their family members (children, grandchildren or anyone else) permanently or temporarily due to various reasons. And in such cases, volunteers` mission is considered as a surprise visit from the angels.
Voluntarism has multifaceted advantages for the volunteers engaged in the services and the beneficiaries. Particularly, for elderly people whose physical strength could not let them engage in productive activities and they have no one to support them, it is the best solution to lessen their social, economic, health and physiological challenges.
The voluntary action is also benefiting many Ethiopians. Following the services provided by youth throughout the country, several elderly citizens are becoming beneficiaries. Lately, the young people in Hadiya Zone, the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples’ State, have provided support to several members of the society.
According to the Zone’s Youth and Sport Bureau Department, not less than 322,000 youth were dispatched to different areas with a mission of providing support to the needy and elderly citizens. Mulunesh Ababiya, is an elderly woman residing in Lemo Woreda, Jewe Kebele, in the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples’ State.
Mululnesh, for the reason she lost her husband and children some years ago, she has been forced to depend on others` support in cultivating her plot of land. And the responsibility of ploughing her plot of land was given to the voluntary youth; and the land that will remain idle has now been cultivated by voluntary youth. This has relieved her from worries. As she stated to ENA, all the services that have been provided by the youth are changing the image of their village and several needy people are becoming beneficiaries from their services.
Above all, the support which is being rendered by the youth is easing the burden of most senior citizens and the needy. She also said that in addition to helping the elderly and needy citizens the youth are also offering tutorial classes which are also important to prepare the students for the next academic year.
Bekele Sugato is an elderly citizen living in Heto Kebele of Hosaena Town. Due to his age and economic constraints, Bekele is forced to lead an impoverished life. Mainly, whenever the rainy season comes, Bekele has been struggling to survive the cold weather and the heavy rain by confining himself in his old and shabby house.
However, as luck would have it, thanks to the voluntary services from the youth, in this rainy season, Bekele`s house which was about to collapse due to old age was renovated accordingly. For that reason, Bekele is now enjoying every minute and seconds within his house.
Approached by the Ethiopian News Agency, youths who are voluntarily providing services in Hosaena Town said that all the voluntary services they are providing to the community has created an opportunity to prove their competence.
They also said that spending the rainy months by extending support to others is a wisest choice for it lets the youth to properly manage their time; aside from its incalculable rewards in terms of creating a sense of pride and identity, boosting self-confidence and self-esteem. They also pledged that their effort will also be exerted in other developmental activities and good governance.
Speaking on his part, Hadya Zone Youth and Sport Department Deputy Head, Abinet Ersamo, said that not less than 322,000 youth have actively participated in voluntary services. He also said that the youths are currently participating in education, health, community development, environmental protection and other areas. Abinet also said that through this year’s voluntary activities, a plan was also set to benefit more than 930,000 different sections of the society. According to him, through voluntary services the youth are expected to carry out development activities worth more than 236 million birr.
Abinet also pointed out that voluntary service does not only allow the youth to participate in the developmental activities, but also enables them to create a mindset that cares about others and to nurture the spirit of selflessness. Aside from the young people, villagers are also discharging their social responsibility by lending a helping hand for the needy. Among these, Wellela Nigatu, is the one.
According to the report from this same media, Wellela is a hotel owner in Dila Town, the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples’ State. She is also a mother of seven -four biological and three adopted children. Wellela is one of those generous people rejoicing in their soul by helping others.
Recently she shared meals for over 500 vulnerable segments of the society including elderly and people who make their living on the streets. Not only did that, but whenever the new academic year comes, she permanently buys and delivers educational materials for about 50 students. This is an annual activity that she will never skip. By doing that, she manages helping students from poor family backgrounds and fills the gap.
According to Wellela, voluntarism is not an activity that will be carried out only for a certain period of time and should not be restricted by age or any criteria. It should be a daily activity executed in a regular manner to improve the lives of needy individuals from their situations.
Sharing what you have with those who don’t have is a moral obligation and gives mental satisfaction. For this reason, giving more attention to voluntarism is an act that needs to be encouraged. “Whenever I get a chance to share, I will seize that opportunity. I get both mental and spiritual satisfaction by supporting the needy people,” she added.
BY LEULSEGED WORKU
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SATURDAY 12 AUGUST 2023
