Foundation Advocates Safe Space For Volunteerism

U-Save Foundation has called for a safe space for volunteers and volunteerism activities in the country.

Country director for the Foundation, Uju Rochas Onwuka, who made the call at the organisation’s annual volunteer seminar, said U-save foundation focuses on the sixth Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) of improving Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, (WASH).

Speaking on the impact of volunteerism as a key behind the organisation’s success, she said: “We work with volunteers that go into this communities, carrying out interventions without expecting anything back in return.

“True volunteers is what is being built in Nigeria, so far in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), we’ve operated in about 11 communities, in Niger State, we’ve operated in two communities and we’ve built six toilets and renovated 34 toilets in college of education, Minna,” she said.

Citing insecurity as one of the threats facing volunteerism in line with the organisation’s goals, Onwuka said “a lot of our volunteers complain about going into those hard to reach areas due to insecurity issues, we hope this narrative changes so more youth can rise up and give back to their communities.”

She also urged young people to embrace volunteerism, as it can help build their mental health even while in search of other jobs.

Volunteerism has a major role to play in the issue of mental health, when you give back to the society, it eliminates mental health and its thoughts in ourselves.”

On her part, Chidom Adimorah of UNICEF Nigeria, in her presentation titled “Impact of WASH in Nigeria: Volunteer as a Driving Force” stated that sanitation situation in Nigeria is appalling, citing open defecation as a case study.

Speaking on the impact of poor WASH services in the education sector, Adimorah said “Wash affects education in many parts of Nigeria due to poor wash services. Some parents do not send their girl children to schools due to poor WASH or lack of toilets”.

She attributed large part of her organisation’s success in the WASH programme to volunteer services, as it has about 200,000 volunteers in the country.

Keynote speaker, Martha Eginiwin, Manager and Team Lead, Servelead Humanitarian Initiative, while speaking on the gains of volunteer services, adviced youths to embrace volunteerism, as it can position them for opportunities.

“volunteerism does not pay bills immediately but can position volunteers for opportunities”

One of the volunteers for U-Save Foundation, Nzube Ike, narating his volunteering experience urged organizations to treat their volunteers nicely as according to him, some volunteers are being mistreated with their services undermined.

Ike also called on the government to provide employment opportunities for youths, as most volunteering services come without monetary rewards.

“Volunteers also have bills to pay”