Why Volunteer?
In 2008 I will be moving to Kenya in order to undertake an extended voluntary placement. The placement is part of the humanitarian aid relief effort which is taking place following the post-election violence and involves a period of at least twelve months working with the national Kenyan NGO Rachel's Development Programme through the volunteer sending agency 2Way Development.
Following my graduation from Nottingham University in December 2007, I am now wishing to embark upon a career in the development sector. Entry into this competitive area of work relies heavily on voluntary experience, which, despite its nature, is often costly. Not only does it involve long periods of unpaid work but it delays students in paying back student loans and getting their foot on the property ladder.
Despite these inconveniences, international development is a passion of mine and it is my firm belief that we have a moral responsibility to our neighbours in the global village we live in. When watching the news and the events unfolding in Kenya it is all too easy to be shocked and yet the following moment to turn off the television and return to our everyday lives.
Watching some of the world’s most impoverished people fall victim to the greed and corruption of wealthy politicians left me reeling with a sense of injustice. I wanted to help despite my lack of financial ability to do so. Yet I believe one of the challenges charitable organisations face in today’s society is to challenge the way in which charity is understood or misunderstood as the case may be.
The National Audit Office (NAO) has warned hundreds of millions of pounds of taxpayers' money is being exposed to the risk of Third World corruption every year. As the recent post-election violence in Kenya shows, corruption is all too evident in this developing country.
Supporting grass roots Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) projects is a feasible and beneficial way of providing sustainable aid to the Kenyan people who need help the most. Grassroots community organisations in the slums are run by and for the people. They organise and run sustainable development projects that aim to facilitate impoverished people becoming the instigators of their own success.
Through 2Way Development I will be working on a twelve month placement with a local NGO. Not only do I plan to donate money directly to my hosting NGO, they will receive my personal input over a period of twelve months. Far from taking the role of a Kenyan citizen in need of work, I will be working alongside the existing team to increase the efficiency of vital community outreach projects.
Ultimately, in my volunteering position, I will make a lasting and worthwhile contribution to my own life and the lives of people living and working in communities all over the world.