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BRINGING LIGHT TO THE COMMUNITY
APR 16 -
‘From now on in America, any definition of a successful life must include serving others”
George H.W. Bush, June 22, 1989
Volunteering is a key ingredient in building a society where all citizens can live their lives in dignity, able to rely on effective and secure community-based safety nets.
But what is this uncommon act of volunteering and how can we define it? Actually, there is no set definition; it’s up to each of us to define what we can do for others in our daily lives. In fact, there is a multitude of ways to volunteer, nothing is pre-determined and you do not have to sign any paper. It’s just you, the time and commitment you can give, that’s all. This is one good thing about volunteerism: you use whatever skills, time and energy you can to benefit others, but it can also be rewarding for you.
Volunteering encompasses a wide range of activities: from organising small events for your community or being involved in a coaching class for needy children to spending time in hospitals to help provide support for neglected patients or organising groups to pick up trash in the Bagmati. These are just a few examples. There are thousands of issues that could use a little help, and there is no one better than you to identify these small needs in your community. Even though you may not be able to make radical changes in the free hours you devote to volunteering, by helping others, you can spark a flame that will inspire others
Volunteering is something that can be shaped to fit any individual’s skills, interests and availability. It is something that can be practiced in the spare time we have during our busy lives, or if unemployed, you can utilise the ample amount of free time you have to help a good cause. If you are young, just out of your studies and inexperienced (it’s not a crime, believe me) or if you are just making a transition in your life, volunteering is a great way to occupy your time when you are not working. By using and refining your skills through volunteering, you will not only be helping others, but also improving yourself.
But how can volunteerism be promoted? Let’s review some examples from around the world:
In the U.K. in 2007, the government created the Commission on the Future of Volunteering, with the objective of exploring potential volunteer prospects and promoting new and existing volunteer opportunities in the U.K.
The Commission highlighted the importance of strengthening volunteering infrastructures — the legislations, rules and regulations and modalities aimed at promoting and facilitating volunteerism. It aims to strengthen civil society organisations thanks to a supportive legal framework that encourages people to volunteer. This is a remarkable example of the commitment of a government to improve and strengthen its own society. Currently, the Office of the Third Sector, a department within the Office of Prime Minister is mandated with the promotion of a fair society in the UK through the active participation and involvement of citizens and not-for-profit voluntary organisations.
Achieving this kind of society is only possible if resources and efforts are devoted to highlight and scale up the role of volunteerism in making the society a better place. The Office of the Third Sector is currently launching a new innovative scheme, Access to Volunteering, to increase the number of disabled people volunteering by providing grants to supporting organisations committed to opening new opportunities for this marginalised population, slashing down the barriers of social exclusion. This is an example of a genuine attempt to forge an equal society where everyone is able to get involved to make their society a better place.
One major achievement in the first year of Barack Obama’s administration in the U.S. was the enactment of The Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, a revolutionary legislation that should be replicated all around the world. The new law expands existing programmess as well as creates new initiatives to increase service opportunities and strengthen the American civic infrastructure. Even in the midst of the deepest economic crisis since the Great Depression, the American administration are betting on increasing people’s involvement in their communities and social service as an antidote to overcome the crisis.
The Act, named in memory of Senator Teddy Kennedy, an avid advocate for the cause of social service in America, offers a boost to the Corporation for National and Community Service, the federal agency mandated to encourage community services among the U.S. citizens, through increased financial resources and a stronger legal framework to scale up and multiply the number of volunteers in the U.S. in the incoming years. Emerging societies like Nepal can learn from initiatives like these that are promoted in Western countries.
One unique volunteering initiative started in Nepal was the National Development Volunteer Service (NDVS). Promoted by the National Planning Commission, the NDVS built on the experiences of the National Development Service and sent Master’s students to help rural communities by utilising the skills and knowledge they learned in school for a one year programme. This was an outstanding achievement in the promotion of the spirit of service in Nepal, but much more can be done and NDVS needs to
be revamped, encouraged and supported.
We should defeat the notion that what we are talking about is something alien to local indigenous cultures and practices. We are already well aware of the community-oriented values and traditional practices that have defined the lives of millions of Nepali people for centuries. From community awareness groups to neighborhood associations active in the promotion of local religious places, Nepali people have a natural inclination to help each other, but more needs to be done to involve the new and older generations often neglected by society.
Volunteerism fosters cohesion within society, something Nepal is in desperate need of. Volunteering can bring people together to conquer the indifferences of modern times and the ghosts of the past. Enhanced volunteerism can make a significant difference across the country. And emphasis should also be given to simple actions that can be incorporated into our daily schedules — things less demanding in terms of the time given but that can be just as rewarding as a full year devoted to volunteer service.
Once again, there are not specific prescriptions: it’s up to each individual to decide the time and modalities and see how this practice can be adjusted to their life.
The time has come to end complacency within society and the development sectors: improving our society is not the sole responsibility of the government. It’s up to us as citizens to make small contributions to make society a better place. George H.W. Bush, during his presidency from 1989 to 1993 played a tremendous role in nourishing and fostering the real soul of America. Thousands of what he called “points of light” — ordinary people “who reach beyond themselves to touch the lives of those in need, bringing hope and opportunity, care and friendship” — are examples of the selfless dedication of truly modern day heroes spread across the United States committed to bettering their own local communities.
On June 4, 1990, U.S. President George H.W. Bush proclaimed, “It’s increasingly clear to more and more Americans that our greatest social problems will only be solved by the active engagement of millions of individuals and tens of thousand of groups and institutions who have never been involved in these problems, and who will never be compensated one nickel for their work.” I hope one day President Bush’s vision for social awareness and volunteerism will be realised, not only in the U.S. but across in the world.
Posted on: 2010-04-17 08:59
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