UN appeals for Seychellois volunteers |18 August 2010

Interested candidates will have the chance to enter a world of wide-ranging opportunities, where through volunteerism they can contribute to economic, social and political development – as well as the health and welfare of millions of people worldwide – while receiving a stipend among other incentives.

The UN Volunteers programme (UNV) is an organisation that contributes to peace and development through volunteerism worldwide, and Seychellois who join it can work in a variety of sectors, such as health, peace-keeping and humanitarian projects, electoral programmes, environment or governance, depending on their skills.

In Seychelles, there are UNVs working in the health and environment sector, such as Jacques Sindayigaya working as an HIV/Aids technical adviser and Elisa Arnulfo, an intern working with the Global Environment Facility’s Small Grants Programme.

The two, who work in close collaboration despite being in separate fields, say their work is highly satisfying and brings them many opportunities to join local volunteer-based organisations such as the Red Cross Society of Seychelles and the Seychelles Scout Association.

“I think the best part about being a UNV is working to address similar challenges and issues using different approaches due to the different cultural and social contexts,” said Mr Sindayigaya.

“For example, in the HIV/Aids field my approach here in Seychelles would not be the same as I would use in my own country. Being here creates a new challenge for me but at the same time gives me new experiences.”

Miss Arnulfo, who strongly believes the local culture and heritage need to be protected, said her one-year stay here has been most memorable so far.

“I love working with the communities, and since we get very involved with them it has made me appreciate them and I feel enriched because of it,” she said.

“My most memorable experience so far has been helping to bring people together to work on environment-protection projects to benefit their own communities.”

The UNV also has an online volunteers programme, where professionals, students, retirees, people with disabilities and expatriates can contribute to supporting the cause of sustainable human development, working from a computer anywhere in the world.

This includes writing project proposals, sharing expertise, designing logos and publication layouts, managing other online volunteers and coordinating campaigns. They also maintain websites, set up blogs, do research, draft newsletters, translate and proofread reports, and evaluate software.

Volunteerism is not a new concept in Seychelles, where it is an important source of community strength and a means of bridging religious, ethnic, political and other divides that may threaten peaceful coexistence.

Local volunteer-based organisations include the Red Cross, youth movements and civil society organisations.

In June this year, President James Michel appointed a committee led by Colette Servina to promote the concept. Among its tasks will be to show how everyone can contribute as a volunteer in all sections of society, thus improving the effectiveness of volunteerism as a complement to government-driven development.
 
The committee also aims to mobilise non-government groups to focus efforts on issues of pressing national concern, enhancing the partnership between the NGO sector and the government.

And it will mobilise institutions such as schools, the Seychelles People’s Defence Forces and the police into promoting the ideals of volunteerism.

Interested local candidates can contact the UNV on www.unv.org or at the local UN Development Programme office on 225914.