It is common knowledge that volunteerism has irreplaceable contributions in terms of addressing a range of socio-economic challenges, fulfilling the needs of the community, reducing the level of poverty and promoting community development.
In the same way, being a volunteer and engaging in volunteering also opens a number of important opportunities for individual volunteers. It helps to establish rapport and expand networks with a range of participants that might not be possible otherwise, to draw valuable experiences, develop new skills and share talents aside from boosting self-image and confidence and yielding psychological benefits.
What is more, the service fosters a sense of belonging and identity and builds trust between individual volunteers and the people who are receiving the services.
In Ethiopia, extending a helping hand and lessening the burden of those people who are in need of some kind of support has been one of the deeply seated cultures of the community. Ethiopians, no matter what, are always kind and sympathetic to helping others.
Mainly, through their traditional institutions such as ‘Equb’ ‘Idir’ and ‘Mahiber’, Ethiopians always stand by the side of their fellow people to lessen their burden. In addition, to these socially constructed norms, Ethiopians have a track record of lending a helping hand not only within their social circles even beyond both in good and bad times. Their arms are always open to the needy and the unfortunate ones in various forms- by donating monetary and non-monetary assistance, giving time and skills to bring about a positive impact on the lives of people who are in need of help.
These days, the deep rooted culture of the community is performed in a more organized manner. Principally, since the past five years, following the initiatives taken by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, the National Volunteer Community Service Program, a wide ranging activity have been carried out at national level. The program, as it is stated at the National Volunteer Community Service Program document, was launched with the aim to foster a sense of national unity, integration, build a cohesive society at peace with each other, enhance respect for diversity, strengthen social cohesion and peaceful coexistence, at the end of the day contribute to sustainable peace and stability in the country.
As a result, over the years, subsequent to the activities carried out at different times in various areas by involving millions of young volunteers, including in renovation houses of destitute people, seedling plantation, among others, encouraging outcomes, that benefit the community and the society at large, are registered.
For instance, following the National Green Legacy campaign launched in 2019, Ethiopia has planted more than 25 billion seedlings merely in the first phase of the campaign.
Recently, the Dire Dawa City Administration launched a summer (Kiremt) volunteers’ service program under the theme “Virtue for National Unity”.
Launching the program, Dire Dawa City Administration Mayor Kedir Juhar said that the activities that have been started to support and benefit low income sections of the society in the city will be sustained in a coordinated manner.
According to him, reducing the socio-economic burden of the low income earners of the society and solving their basic problems is one way that leads to growth and prosperity. In this respect, development works carried out during both summer and winter seasons of the past years targeting the low-income sections of the society have brought about meaningful changes in terms of alleviating the challenges of the disadvantaged ones.
Mayor Kedir, who is also leading the volunteer service program, said that more efforts will be applied in order to elevate the program to a higher level by strengthening collaboration among the government, development partners, institutions and the community at all levels.
The activities set out by the City Administration to support the needy will continue and strengthen in a coordinated manner. What is more, the actions and the outcomes of the work will also be reviewed on a regular basis, he added.
“There should be coordination in activities that are carried out by mobilizing the community in terms of planning and execution so that the voluntary works implemented in the rainy months to be effective.”
Prosperity Party Dire Dawa Branch Head Ibrahim Yusuf on his part said that the voluntary works carried out following the national reforms have addressed the needs of the needy.
Mentioning that a plan is set to renovate over 200 dilapidated houses of the disadvantaged groups and low earners as well as carry out numerous socio-economic development activities in this rainy season, he urged all concerned bodies, stakeholders and the community to fulfill their societal responsibilities accordingly and attain the desired outcome.
Dire Dawa City Administration Youth and Sport Commissioner Khalid Mohamed also stated that volunteering and supporting each other is the defining value of Dire Dawa.
The activities of supporting each other and volunteerism have been institutionalized so as to solve the challenges of the community. Accordingly, more than 86,000 young volunteers and other members of the society have been prepared to achieve the target.
The Head also presented a document that was prepared to ensure social and economic development, sustain peace and good governance in the coming rainy seasons and discussed thoroughly.
At this rainy season, it is planned to carry out various development activities such as construction and renovation of the depleted houses of the poor, giving care for the disabled ones, providing tutorial education and health care services, undertake tree planting and beautification works among others estimated to be over 120 million birr, it was learnt.
During the event, Mayor Kedir Juhar and Deputy Speaker of the Council of Administration Kerima Ali, who are in charge of the program, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the sector institutions.
BY STAFF REPORTER
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD TUESDAY 4 JUNE 2024
