What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear about volunteerism? Most of the time people associate volunteerism with summer time free services carried out by students. Some also related it with merely donating money. However, volunteerism is the act of giving time, money, materials, love, affectionate, thoughtfulness and any other form of acts that benefit the recipients, warm their hearts and elevate sprits.
The idea of volunteerism, as mentioned above, is unique. To give service does not always mean to give money. Volunteerism is all about willingness to give/ share something with others who are in need of love, time or any supports which cost us nothing but benefit them exceedingly.
Globally, there are about more than one billion volunteers who are involved in volunteerism activities, according to UN volunteers. Considering the benefits of giving services, people give free services for many reasons.
Study shows that participating in volunteerism activities has pivotal role for society as well as for a country. Achieving new experience and insights, building connections with people and career options, having a sense of accomplishment and giving back and helping others are amongst the importance of volunteerism.
It is easy to understand that doing charitable activities help ones feel good. As the activities keep the volunteers active, it is believed to have a high tendency of decreasing the risk of depression and stress.
In Ethiopia, there are about 14 rotaract clubs- an organization of young adults between the ages 18 to 30 years, with varied professionals and educational backgrounds that is defined neither by religious nor political motive, as to sources.
Rotaract Club of Abugida is one of the rotaract clubs in Ethiopia. It has been executing various voluntary activities for 16 years. Having over 100 volunteers, of which 50 of them are active, the Club has been involving in various charitable activities.
The club members are drawn from various sectors such as teaching, aviation, engineering, and health sectors and so on.
Rotaract Club of Abugida is working on many projects, said Nardos Seleshi, former President of the Club. Including blood donation, which is one of its primary missions, the Club involves in various areas that could benefit the public. The blood donation is now on its 47th round, she added.
It is clear that every year at the beginning of school year, there is a frequent need for educational materials and school uniforms for students who could not cover their yearly expenses. The Club’s ‘Berana Project’ in this regard, aims at collecting and delivering educational materials for students. “The project has been running for over 10 years and currently we are encouraging more volunteers keen to take part in pharmaceuticals and in water, energy and geology,” he remarked.
Asked what common features he has observed between Belgrade and Addis Ababa? Ambassador Aleksandar Ristic said that the two capitals have special ties. As part of this strong attachment a street is named in Belgrade after the great athlete and Olympic Champion Abebe Bikila. What is more, Belgrade and Addis Ababa are similar in a way that they are both very nice places for life. Both of them are vibrant and hospitable, diverse, and rich in culture, history and gastronomy.
There are also several similar projects taking place in the capital of Serbia. Belgrade Waterfront – known in Serbian as Belgrade on Water – is the biggest one. It is, just like The Addis Ababa River Project (Beautifying Sheger), building an emotional bond with the community by delivery of public open spaces, with sports activities and water-inspired recreation and leisure. Just like in Ethiopia, where The Addis Ababa River Project is strongly supported by Prime Minister. Abiy Ahmed, Belgrade Waterfront is spearheaded by Aleksandar Vucic, President of the Republic of Serbia.
While responding how he observes the activities planned by the government to beautify the City and its economic progress, Ambassador Aleksandar Ristic said, “I used to live in Addis some years ago. When I came back, I could not recognize the City as it had been. The beautifying activities proved to be very successful and their results are incredible.
“Economic progress of Addis is obvious and ubiquitous. And I am not talking only about new roads, expressways, flyovers, hotels, malls and other buildings, none of which were here when I first lived in this beautiful country. It is, more importantly, more people employed and happy to live in the city – and the country – where they can provide for their families and enjoy life.”
Last Monday Ethiopians have planted over 300 million seedlings. Using the day as an opportunity, the Serbian Ambassador and his staff have planted seedlings within the premises of the Embassy out of it.
According to Ambassador Aleksandar Ristic, now the government has initiated massive seedlings plantation program. Thanks to the commitment of the government and its people, there is aggressive move to fix what was lost. “In this regard, we, diplomats, are happy to participate in this great initiative. My staff and I have taken part in planting seedlings both at the Embassy’s compound in Kazanchis and in Gulele Sub City.”
The program is not only a project that will benefit the generations to come. It is also a noble work that the government should be praised for.
While talking what can Addis can learn from the City of Belgrade, the Ambassador Aleksandar Ristic said that it is always the people who make cities livable cities. “I believe there is a lot we can learn from each other. Having in mind similarities between the two projects I mentioned, among other things, our capitals can work together and the city administrations should exchange views and experience on many issues, he added.
the program and fill the gaps that our societies face,” Nardos said. For this year, the club is planning to deliver school materials for 1500 students who are located within the capital and beyond.
In the same way, the project has a school feeding program which it carries out in regular basis at one of the schools located around ‘Ferensay Legasiyon’ in Addis Ababa.
The other project area undertaken by the Club is ‘Extending Love Project’. This, as the name indicates, targets to extend love, kindness and spend some time with the needy ones.
Likewise ‘Yewedequtn Ansu’ a support focuses on elderly people and Missionary of Charity Brothers Association for Autistic children provides support for elders and children by lending a hand and paying regular visits on every weekends and holidays.
“Furthermore, delivering bedspread for people is being conducted by this Club. Particularly, in rainy season taking in to account the relentless cold, we deliver bedclothes by executing various fund raising activities,” she remarked.
The new project of the Club, Vision Eye Project, is believed to be operational, within the coming few months. The project aims to providing eye checkup services for those students who are already embraced under the charity program, Nardos said.
“Joining charity clubs is though challenging it is inspiring. All of us are not expected to be members of charity organizations. If we are willing to share what we have, be it money, materials or time with others, we can lift up the hearts and sprits of others. So, let us look for someone who is in need of our support and brighten his/her time with delight,” she remarked.
The Ethiopian Herald July 31/2019
BY BETELHEM BEDLU
