LESSONS FROM THE GENERATION OF HUMANITARIANS AND VOLUNTEERS (GHAV) SUMMIT

SARF Uncut
Sep 8, 2018 · 4 min read

THE WHAT AND WHY OF VOLUNTEERING

GHAVSummit by theofficialsarf

Volunteering in 2018 can be a tool for career growth. A large emphasis has been placed on internships as a tool for getting skills and experience for law undergrads. Large demand for internships, little opportunities from law firms, none payment of interns, etc, make internships less accessible. However, with volunteering an undergrad can enjoy so many career building benefits because there is a greater need for volunteers in Nigeria. My first experience with volunteering was in January 2017 where I participated in a Legacy 1995 Planting Day Exercise. As an Environmental Law student I was eager to volunteer to positively impact the environment and contribute to the restoration of an historic building in Lagos. Participating in that exercise provided me with that opportunity, increased my network and brought other opportunities. I decided to attend the GHAV Summit to learn how to utilize volunteering as a career growth tool.

The Generation of Humanitarians And Volunteers (GHAV) Summit, the first of its kind in Nigeria was organised by GIRLHUBAFRICA, a skill based volunteer network. It held on 3rd February at La Roche Foundation, Gbagada with free attendance. It was a vibrant, stylish Africana themed, enlightening summit which I live-streamed on Instagram. I left impacted, met inspiring people and got a souvenir book. You can check out twits, pictures and reviews on Twitter and Instagram through the summit’s official hashtag #GHAV2018. GHAV Summit was held to encourage volunteering, educate people on what volunteering is, its benefits, how to volunteer in various industries and the humanities for effective career growth and community development. With professionals from various fields in Humanities, Health Care, Law, Media and Entertainment, Education, Civil Service, etc speaking in three panel sessions and keynote speeches. The theme, Humanitarians in the 21st Century was thoroughly discussed.

In Mrs Mercy Makinde keynote speech, The Benefits of Volunteering on an African Youth, she defined volunteering as a thing of choice, working without pay, usually but not always for a non-profit organisation. A volunteer is someone who contributes to the development of their community in any capacity. Volunteers are priceless and compassionate professionals. To be a volunteer you’ll need a positive attitude, compassionate heart, concern about welfare of others.

VOLUNTEERING

Selflessness. Service. Apply yourself.

Be passionate. Freenium. Helper’s High.

The keynote speaker went on to talk about her interesting life experiences as a volunteer for many decades. Importantly, she highlighted a list of things a volunteer is not. With so much skepticism and negativity shrouding many Nigerians’ perspective. It was necessary to debunk certain myths.

· Volunteers are not idle people. A lot of high earning, impacting, popular and busy professionals were attending volunteers GHAV Summit.

· They don’t have time, they have the heart. They make time from no time in our all motion generation.

· They are not laborers or casual workers. Be respectful when you see them on a project.

· They are not less privileged individuals. When appreciating their efforts don’t give them ridiculous windfalls or feed them left-over food. A volunteer should not take such. Nigerians treat you the way you present yourself. Present yourself professionally and respectably.

· Volunteers are not ushers. They are there to assist in the execution of a vision. As such, should be treated hospitably, with dignity and respect.

Why Should We Volunteer?

We should volunteer because..

Volunteering is where effective leadership and social change starts from because of service. Service builds us to be leaders. It improves the community through services that fuel nation building. Michael Sunbola, (Lawyer and Founder of Lagos Food Bank) stated in Selfless Service, a key to effective leadership.

‘Giving back is paying the price for your future.’- Ayo Mairoese

Also on the 2nd Panel Session was Dr. Mayowa Lewu. She further explained why we should volunteer. There is no age limit to volunteering. It helps you appreciate life and forget your problems. It aids personal growth and teaches you how to delay instant gratification. It helps shape your weaknesses into strengths. Hauwa Ojeifo (Founder of She Writes Woman) sat on the 3rd Panel Session and discussed Volunteering as a therapy to mental illness. Volunteering reduces your mortality rate as certain studies have shown. It increases your likelihood of better things in the future and improves your functional abilities. By volunteering, you shift your focus and realize your problems are not so bad which reduces your stress. Stress can be a trigger for mental disorders and illnesses. You get an overwhelming sense of fulfillment while volunteering called the Helper’s High. This has been proven to drastically reduce symptoms of mental disorders and illness. In summary, volunteering improves your mental health.

A major benefit of volunteering is that it can help you discover your purpose. The pressure of living a life without purpose crumbles you. It provides opportunities that reveal your next step to you. If you have no idea what you want to do after your LL.B or the semester exams volunteer with NGOs, causes, within industries you are passionate about or interested in.

Since I learnt these I’ve utilized them in volunteering my PR, Legal and Writing skills at varying opportunities. I hope these lessons can help you consider volunteering before the year runs out.

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