The Korean International Agency, KOICA, together with the Ministry of Youth Affairs and the United Nations Volunteers Office, have encouraged the youth to participate in volunteering activities, which is considered as a way of moving the country out of poverty.

The call was made in Yaounde during commemorative activities of the International Day of Volunteers celebrated under the theme, “The World is Changing, And You? Be Volunteers”.

KOICA, which supports and promotes volunteerism through her World Friends Korea Overseas Volunteer Programme, encourages the young to be industrious through volunteering activities.

“Dispatched volunteers stay together with the local people and contribute to socio-economic development of partner countries by training workforce and passing on the technological advancement in many areas such as education, health and rural development,” reads a volunteering objective of KOICA.

The Programme Officer for the United Nations Volunteers, Galina Chus, while presenting the message from UN Secretary General, said volunteering fosters creativity, draws strength from the volunteer’s passion and connects them to those who need them most. “Volunteerism is a global phenomenon that transcends boundaries, religions and cultural divides. Volunteers embody the fundamental values of commitment, inclusiveness, civic engagement and a sense of solidarity,” she stated.

She cited the Ebola crisis in West Africa which was addressed, thanks to help from volunteers.

“During the Ebola crisis in West Africa, community, international and UN volunteers were crucial to the response. A similar spirit of volunteerism and solidarity has been on display in addressing the current refugee crisis and this year’s devastating earthquake in Nepal,” she recounted.

Cautioning the youth not only to depend on the Government for jobs, the Minister of Youth Affairs and Civic Education, Mounouna Foutsou, said volunteering improves skills, self-confidence and facilitates social integration in the work sector.

“The Millennium Development Goals were not achieved to an extent because everything was being left for the State. To promote volunteering, therefore, the Government is elaborating on a national strategy to showcase its importance as a way to eradicating poverty,” he stated.

He added that the youth who form the active population of the country should be quick to volunteer in the health, natural disasters and humanitarian issues which can better improve the community and hence facilitate development.
For Njionojop Tuhipkam who volunteers with the International Red Cross, she was motivated by the desire to save life.

“I volunteer in health because I have a passion for combating epidemics and other health hazards in Cameroon,” she stated. To her, she must not earn a wage before performing her patriotic duty of ensuring the well-being of her fellow citizens.

The volunteers were all encouraged to participate in community services without counting on the Government for immediate recruitment. Statistics indicate that there are over one billion volunteers worldwide.