Civil Society Network for Volunteering Development (Also known as GIVE Network)

IVD 2009

2009-12-16T06:09:00.000-08:00

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INTERNATIONAL VOLUNTEER DAY

2009-12-16T05:49:00.000-08:00

GIVE Network celebrate this year international Volunteer Day in style and in an innovative ways by getting their hands dirty through community development. find below the reports of the event.

Workshop with Students
The workshop with Secondary Students covering Millennium Development Goals, Communication Skills, Values and Value Clarification, was held on Thursday, 3rd December, 2009 in Obanikoro, Lagos. This followed a series of meetings with the school authority and a Talk with the Students on the School’s Assembly ground at 7:45am on the same day of the workshop.

The workshop kicked off on a spirited note with Ike Nwibe, The Program Officer of GIVE Network giving the opening address which provided the students with the basic knowledge of the importance of the workshop and the International Volunteer Day celebration. Ike Nwibe facilitated on the topic Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), thereby giving the ladder of participation as; interactive, clear etc. More so, the students were motivated to identify areas of interest for active participation and join in the combat against global problems. In another session, facilitated by Nike Fagade, the Executive Director of Positive Development Foundation, participants were provided with the basic knowledge of Communication Skills emphasizing on listening and writing skills with illustrations. Finally, at the climax of the workshop was a session facilitated by Aina Ojisola which has active participation of all the students, defining value as an accepted principle of a person or group of people in the community. He encouraged the participants to always be of good character and to also join in promoting positive values in their communities and among their peers. A total of 152 students were in attendance.

Community Service Project
8:00am on 5 December, 2009, 20 volunteers from various Volunteer-Involving Organizations in Lagos gathered at the Home for Destitute in Okobaba, Ebute-Meta for a cleaning exercise. This was following a Needs Assessment carried out by Ayodele Taofiq Fanida of Humanitarian Voluntary Association for Community Development and Ike Nwibe of Civil Society Network for Volunteering Development (a.k.a GIVE Network) which revealed that the community was not in a conducive state for human habitation. To also promote the message of Volunteering and Social Responsibility, the volunteers displayed their selfless spirits by helping to clean the environment.

The whole premises were swept and drainages were cleared, the toilets, bathrooms, drainages, gutters and the entire premises were fumigated in order to disinfect the environment.

The Lagos Waste Management Agency was approached for support with cleaning equipments and also informed of the massive refuse dump which needed an urgent attention.

At the end of the cleaning exercise, there was a sensitization with the leader of the community and some members on International Volunteer Day and the need to take responsibility for our community. The leaders were grateful and they prayed for all the volunteers for their selfless attitude. Clothes, Shoes and some foodstuff were distributed to members of the community. Three media organizations were present namely; Eko FM, This Day Newspaper and Radio Nigeria.

Award Ceremony
At 3:00pm on 5 December, 2009, Volunteers, students, youth leaders and representatives of a number of Civil Society Organizations in Lagos gathered in the premises of HOPE worldwide Nigeria for the International Volunteer Day Award Ceremony to recognize the contributions of volunteers to organizational, community, national and global development.

There was an opening speech by Mr. A. A. Adebisi of the Humanitarian Voluntary Association for Community Development who represented Sir Sunny Nwosu, President Independent Shareholders Association of Nigeria. In his remark, Dr. Chika Nwosu, Volunteer Manager, HOPE worldwide Nigeria and member, National Steering Committee shared his experiences in volunteering and how he has benefited from serving selflessly. They both emphasized on the need for Nigerians to engage in volunteering as a tool for sustainable development in Nigeria.
A feature of the Summit was the presentation of certificate awards for recognition to 40 volunteers that comprised 14 females and 26 males as a motivation to the awardees and other volunteers and individuals which was in line with the purpose of the IVD. As they shared their stories on how they have been contributing their time and skills to make positive change, it was a moment of inspiration to listeners. Other volunteers present at the Summit also saw it as an opportunity to share their contribution towards positive development with others. And Oyin Samuel, a musician, put up a voluntary performance on youth and their contribution to Nation’s growth.

LAGOS BOOK AND ART FESTIVAL

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• Lagos Book & Art Festival (LABAF), 15 November: Partnering with Committee for Relevant Arts, gave GIVE Network the opportunity to conduct a series of activities (presentation on concept of volunteering, panel discussions, materials distribution) at the 11th annual Lagos Book & Art Festival. LABAF is a high profile annual festival which brings together professional and emerging artists. Highlights
o 64 individuals and organizations registered with GIVE Network
o 1 article published in print media
o GIVE Network was acknowledged and highlighted as a partner

INTERNATIONAL YOUTH DAY

2009-12-16T03:32:00.000-08:00

· International Youth Day: GIVE received an invitation from Positive Development Foundation to participate in a Conference to mark the IYD and also make a presentation on ‘Volunteering’ on the 12^th August 2009. The theme for the event was “Internet as a tool for Sustainable Development”. The aim was to provide a platform for young people to interact and share the various meaningful ways through which they optimize their use of the internet. Some of the Resource Persons at the event were the representative of the Lagos State Commissioner of Information and Strategy, Ogbo Awoke Ogbo of Giant Thoughts, Adeniyi Tabiti, Anwuli Ojogwu of Fate Foundation, Ike Nwibe of GIVE Nigeria and others. Ipaja Community Link and SYDOC were the GIVE member organizations at the event. Ipaja Community Link was represented by 20 volunteers including an international volunteer while SYDOC had one representative. 4 National Volunteers in GIVE and the Program Officer represented the secretariat. Ike Nwibe did a presentation on Volunteering and also seized the opportunity to talk about GIVE Network. GIVE information materials were distributed.

NYSC SENSITIZATION ON VOLUNTEERING

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NYSC Sensitization on Volunteering

On Tuesday 18th August 2009, Jennifer Byram of Ipaja Community Link, Heather Alcock of PAHAB both VSO International Volunteers serving in Lagos, Yinka Coker GIVE Secretariat National Volunteer and Ike Nwibe, Program Officer GIVE Network were at the National Youth Service Corps Camp in Iyana Ipaja Lagos for a sensitization on Volunteering.

The presentation was divided into 4 segments namely;

1. Introduction of Voluntary Service Overseas by Jennifer Byram

2. Volunteering by Heather Alcock

3. Corper Plus by Heather Alcock

4. GIVE Nigeria and Volunteering Opportunities in Lagos Ike Nwibe.

GIVE Leaflets were distributed, Advert and contact e-mails for the corper plus program and volunteering opportunities in Lagos State were pasted on the notice boards. 49 Corps Members signed up to receive more information on the Corper Plus Program and other volunteering opportunities in Nigeria.

Season's Greetings for 2009!

2008-12-17T08:04:00.000-08:00

Celebrating International Volunteer Day 2008

2008-12-12T02:16:00.000-08:00

With support from GIVE Network and other volunteer-involving organizations, Nigeria witnessed the celebrations of the International Volunteer Day on 5 December 2008 in five states--Lagos, Edo, Kwara, Cross River & Gombe. The International Volunteer Day (IVD) was declared by the United Nations in 1985 and December 5 of every year was chosen as a day dedicated to recognize and appreciate the efforts and contribution of volunteers and increase public awareness on their contribution to society.

The first "Lagos Summit on Volunteerism and Social Responsibility" organised with the theme 'Volunteerism towards Achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)' was aimed at increasing awareness and participation on volunteerism by providing information and promoting the values of volunteering towards the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

Highlights of the Lagos Summit

Special Address by Dr Kola Kasali, Honourable Commissioner for Special Duties, Lagos State represented by Mr Adekunle Odubiyi
Key note Address by Mr Yemi Osilaja, Country Director, HOPE worldwide Nigeria & Member, Board of Trustees, GIVE Network
Panel discussion with civil society experts on key MDG themes (health, education, poverty, gender)
Dance drama by the Crowne Troupe of Africa
Active participation of about 160 individuals and organizations and 21 representatives of print and electronic media.The Daily Independent (11 December) has a detailed coverage on the event.
The Summit was recognized online as the key celebration on IVD in Nigeria on the following two international websites: Taking it Global; World Volunteer Web.
11 organizations displayed their work and impact through colourful and attractive exhibitions.
Six partner organizations nominated one volunteer to receive the Volunteer Recognition Award. The six volunteers (three male and three female) receiving the award also shared their experiences on volunteering.

What is Volunteering?

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Any activity whether formal or non-formal

Is undertaken for the benefit of the wider community beyond immediate family or friends

Is a matter of choice

The motivation is not for financial gain

Creates positive change