International volunteer Day commemoration Held on 5th December at Kalundu view community school in Kafue

The International Volunteer Day for economic and social development (IVD) was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly through Resolution A/RES/40/212 on 17 December 1985. Since then, governments, the UN system and civil society organizations have successfully joined volunteers around the world to celebrate the day on 5 December.

The UN general assembly 2002 resolution recognized the importance of volunteerism for economic and social development by stating that “Volunteerism is an important component of any strategy aimed at poverty reduction, sustainable development, health, disaster prevention and management, social integration and overcoming social inclusion and discrimination.” It further recognizes that “Volunteering particularly at the community level will help to achieve the development goals and objectives set out in the United Nations conferences, summits, special sessions and their follow-up meetings.

IVD PROCEEDINGS IN ZAMBIA

In Zambia, a number of voluntary organizations, community based organization, UN agencies, Government ministries, and private sector institutions have come together since 2003 and an International Volunteers Day (IVD) national steering committee was formed since then.

Youth Environment Network-Zambia (YEN-ZAMBIA) has been a committed member of the IVD committee since 2007.

This year the IVD committee developed a plan to commemorate the event under the theme “Volunteerism for Development (V4D) towards quality education for Orphans and Vulnerable children in Zambia.

YEN-ZAMBIA played an important role through the media and publicity sub-committee of the IVD with the Volunteer Services Organization (VSO), ACEMS mission and The National Association for Prevention of Starvation (NAPS).

Our contribution received some praise from the chairman of the IVD steering committee as a success after a wonderful turnout and coverage of the event by more than six (6) media houses ranging from print to electronic media.

Further on we even had an opportunity to sit on the interview at radio Christian voice. Through the interview we spoke strongly on the establishment of the national volunteer resource center and the setting up of the national volunteer policy that should act as a guide on how to manage the volunteers in every sector of our society.

Lastly, we also addressed the role of the volunteers and the need for solidarity in tackling out some of the environmental issues, especially on climate change and global warming.

The IVD’s theme for 2008 of Volunteering for Development (V4D) towards quality education for Orphans and vulnerable children in Zambia served as the backdrop for us the national steering committee of the IVD to add some quality on the education of the orphans and vulnerable children of Kalundu view community school in Kafue district.

Kafue lays about 45 kilometers south of Lusaka and its hit by high unemployment rate after a huge number of workers were laid off after some key companies closed during the privatization wave of 1990’s and this led to the high rate of prostitution, HIV/AIDS, Poverty, Orphans and vulnerable children respectively. Kalundu view community has been one of the most hit communities of Kafue town evidenced by illicit brewing of beer by most families as an economical activity and with a number of children dropped out of school due to non-payment of school fees.

This was no wonder why we decided to commemorate this year’s IVD event at this school.

The programme started around 10:00hrs in the morning with the match past spiced up by the Army Brass Band playing the drums from the junction of the main road down to the school.

After the arrival at the school premises we were greeted by a huge number of community members who came to observe the event.

The activities at the school were characterized by some traditional dance and drama performances which depicted the importance of volunteers in service delivery and national development.

Exhibition markets were also part of the activities, with a number of organizations on present, such as Zambia National Blood Transfusion (ZNBT), Volunteer Services Organization (VSO), Youth Environment Network-Zambia (YEN-Z), ACEMS Mission, United Nations Volunteers (UNV), The Ministry of Community Development and Social Services and some Local women group of Kalundu Community.

Also on present, the guest of Honor, Honorable Deputy Minister of Community Development and Social Services Friday Malwa, MP, and the UN resident Coordinator Macleod Nyirongo. Both of them hailed the volunteers for the willingness and capacity to freely help others and improve their societies. Later on they made a handover of about 45 school desks for pupils and tables and chairs for teachers on behalf of the IVD national steering committee.

The school head teacher, expressed gratitude for the wonderful gesture accorded to them by the IVD Steering Committee, whilst the Pupils and women sang songs of praise as a sign of appreciating this precious gift.

TO DONATE OR SUPPORT YEN-ZAMBIA PARTICIPATE IN UPCOMING EVENTS FOR 2009 PLEASE CONTACT THE FOLLOWING DETAILS:
YEN-ZAMBIA
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