Pupils lead the way in community work

YOUR editorial ‘Make a difference this year as a volunteer’ on 12 January refers.

As subject head of Life Orientation at one of the local high schools, it is one of my responsibilities to oversee the proper execution of assignments set by the Department of Education.

Volunteering is part of the LO curriculum in the three FET grades and every year either Grade 10 or Grade 11 is set an assignment whereby pupils are expected to volunteer their services to a social, health or environmental non-profit organisation (NPO) of their choice.

The aim of this assessment task helps to create understanding of non-profit organisations and the impact that each individual volunteer has on the sustainability of such organisations. This is the true spirit of ‘ubuntu’ whereby each citizen gives selflessly when they reach out to others less fortunate, be it animals, humans or our environment. Pupils also learn that payment for services rendered is not always a given. Doing something for others just to see a smile or to get a simple thank you, can be immensely and equally rewarding.

I wholeheartedly agree with your editorial and wish to add my voice to your inspiring appeal. However, without a list of available NPO’s in the Zululand area, I believe that your call is, well, just another voice crying in the wilderness.

There are so many organisations out there which are unknown and in great need of assistance. I suggest that a comprehensive list of NPO’s be made available and where better than the Zululand Observer, which could publish a weekly column with names, contact details and specific needs.

Opportunity for organisations to attract volunteers is then created and members of our community and learners alike have a database of where they could go to offer their help. I am sure many NPO’s will gladly respond to have this kind of publicity, as well.

This, surely, is a win-win situation for all.

VOLUNTEERING IN 2015

EDITOR’S RESPONSE

Thank you for your positive feedback and we salute you for encouraging youth to volunteer. The ZO is proud of the community work being done by pupils throughout Zululand. We’re attaching the list of Zululand Welfare Social Services and NGOS to encourage Zululanders to make a difference this year as a volunteer.