In Nigeria our weekdays, weekends and free days in Nigeria are always cluttered with work, weddings, burials, naming ceremony or one social event or the other making it seem the average Nigerian has no free moment to himself, we have subtly perfected this picture of being preoccupied at all times making the demand for a Nigerian’s time a harrowing experience . These obligations and events are deemed essential for survival and the purely social engagements are necessary escape routes to counter the pressures of living in Nigeria, the taxes imposed by cultural obligations also play a big part so the average Nigerian is always in debt to these social and cultural obligations. Nigerians are given to a lot of social excursions but increasingly few of us are given to the idea of volunteering. Volunteering is a word uncommon in the Nigerian dictionary, in conversations with people the closest to volunteering is usually their affiliation to either a religious group or social group pursuing some objective, some with socially responsible objectives but a lot with trite narrow interests, aptly put volunteering as a non-governmental means to attending to social issues is not popular on the Nigerian shelf.

The arguments as to why volunteering is not deemed popular are varied, one is that people are so burdened with problems in their day to day life they have no time to consider others talk less solve other people’s problems. Other issues raised is that volunteer opportunities are nonexistent outside structured organizations that require some sought of membership such as religious affiliation or social/professional requirements, there is also this false sense that someone else is doing something about it especially when one considers the varied Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) that spring up and die with the light of speed in Nigeria. Another less important reason is that people believe that it is the job of government to deal with those issues and paying taxes are meant to address such problems, in other words if politicians and government would inhibit their kleptomaniac behavior there would be enough to address these issues.

First, if all government revenues were well accounted for and put into optimal use it is utopia to believe that all social problems would disappear, money alone never solves social problems. Second, the notion that government is solely responsible to deal with these issues is untenable, good stewardship on the path of government is needed to make society run smoothly but active participation by all citizens is integral to successful programs especially with regards to social issues as the most potent agent of change, the family, is more influenced by individuals than government and its policies. Thirdly, volunteer opportunities and needs are so common place one needs no go far, as you go through the streets daily the homeless, the less fortunate, the handicapped, the drug addicts, street urchins, the sick in the hospital, the lonely senior citizens, the fatherless children, the orphans, the outcasts are all endless volunteer opportunities begging for our involvement.  

There is the truth about how to honestly assess the effect of NGOs, a lot of NGOs are in truth just gimmicks to funnel donor dollars by fraudsters but a lot of them also do a lot of good, NGOs are generally different from volunteer organizations in organization and structure so are not substitutes for volunteer organizations, rather they complement volunteer organizations and do not make unnecessary the need to volunteer. There is also some truth to the structure of some volunteer organizations as per exclusivity, a lot of volunteer organizations take root from faith based organizations such as churches, mosques and other religious creeds or from some social or ethnic affinity, this is not necessary a handicap as we are in one way affiliated to a group at some point in our life but the point is noted that their pool of volunteers is constricted to those of like minds. Faith based organization volunteer groups have the overt tone of proselytizing (and that is fair game) they could also represent an avenue for adherents to exercise their love to others , so though their scope and reach might not be very broad they are a needed and effective volunteer force in solving social problems.  

The notion that volunteering is impossible in a society ridden with struggles such as ours, filled with people lacking resources to tend to themselves talk less complete strangers is self-defeating. The very core on which volunteering stands is selflessness - the loss of one’s self, introspection or brooding on problems never solve problems it only magnifies the hopelessness of the situation, problems are solved or managed by the different perspectives we have on issues, self adsorption blinds us from different perspectives. Volunteering affords us different perspectives and holistic perspectives to problems, it highlights people in worse conditions than ours and evokes empathy within us leading to practical solutions and this helps us address societal change from the bottom up because of the effect of our actions. If we took time to volunteer for example with a group created to rehabilitate “Area boys” (street urchins) we would understand the dynamics they face better, we would have firsthand knowledge of root causes of their deviation, we would also be able to assess the effectiveness of programs aimed at “Area boys” and be better educators of government and society on the issue and effective means of addressing the issue. On a personal level, the empathy we develop from volunteering helps us put a greater value on people and relationships, this has a way of positively affecting our personal relationships and life adding a certain quality or perspective that comes from being selfless, so to those who cite the deluge of problems the average Nigerian faces as a hindrance to volunteering, volunteering might be the medication to solving ones personal problems. 

Volunteering differs from the fire brigade approach to solving issues where contributions are sought to “help” someone or a cause or the usual parading of important figures in orphanages or hospitals with some bags of rice and lot of photographs for the publicity. Volunteering differs in that what you contribute is not money but rather your person and time, two resources given to all in equal amounts; we have one life and 24 hours daily. Contributing money to causes is remarkable but volunteering is unique in its ability to connect us with our humanity, as we give our time and person to individuals who we are not everyday connected to we understand and appreciate the challenges of others, contributing money is impersonal and detached but volunteering is intimate, life changing and humbling. It becomes the most brazen display of loving your neighbor syndrome and represents to the recipient and giver the beauty of humanity; it also forces a social consciousness on us that fundamentally changes our outlook to life helping us prioritize our time and resources. Giving money is beautiful, but giving oneself is light years ahead in terms of satisfaction.

Everyone can volunteer and everyone should volunteer, children should be raised to volunteer and parents should lead by example. The ripple effect of volunteering is what births social welfare programs by governments, forces leadership to better utilize resources and address pressing social issues effectively, creates the enlightenment of the plight of others, helps stability as the less fortunate needs are met and they are not left to themselves and fosters the spirit of community. The lack of volunteering is that “me” spirit that urges us to grab everything for ourselves and family without thought of the need of others, it denies us the ability to connect the dot that stealing government money is denying funds to save lives of sick children, it justifies our selfishness and greed repackaging it as survival, it makes our lives all about the praise of men and it contributes to the mayhem and chaos we live in. Volunteering is a long time commitment, not all its results are immediate , but its advantages to both spirit and soul is assured, so today look around you and engage yourself with volunteering it would change your life in more ways than work, weddings, funerals and parties would and definitely in more ways than giving money would. 

Robot  # 1 | 14.10.2008 19:32

"On a personal level, the empathy we developfrom volunteering helps us put a greater value on people and relationships, this has a way of positively affecting our personal relationships ...Read the full article.

oyin100  # 2 | 21.10.2008 04:11

Thanks for this beautiful thread. I for one, believe so much in volunteering and supporting volunteer groups. The main issue here however is that it's not very easy to volunteer in this part of the world. Hardly do we hear of NGOs and other humanitarian groups calling out for volunteers. This thus makes it a bit difficult to get involved even if you have a heart for it. Is there any particular site that such groups in need of volunteers advertise, or are there organisations one can just walk into and offer to volunteer? Please advise.