ANALYSIS ON Volunteerism In ethiopia

ANALYSIS By Henok Tibebu When I think about possibilities of human beings living together while having diversified race, colour, language, culture, and most of all personal and group interests, the spirit of volunteerism always cross my mind. Human interests, more often, trigger the idea of volunteerism in our social interactions and awake the latent motives to be committed for something good or evil.

Some people display volunteerism for love and peace, some for war and chaos, some volunteer to bring joy and happiness in people's lives while sadists choose to rejoice in others' sorrow and pain. Some devote their lives praying for the eternal well being of all human beings. Plenty are also those who deliberately like to gamble with other people's lives.

These differences could have come from the naturally given free will to make our own choices throughout our life time. However, no matter the outcomes of our choices, I believe that most human beings have one thing in common which is, 'Making a difference in life'. And our bent nurture this interest could be the spirit of volunteerism.

Somehow, could all the choices we volunteer for be right or wrong? Aren't we also given the heart and brain to identify the right from wrong? Aren't we given the precious treasure of learning from life and listening others in time? These questions might be simple to articulately answer.

Of course it is hard for me to say that what we speak doesn't matter in life. But from my short experience of life, I have learned that what people do mostly matters than what they say. I have also observed that there are so many who agree with the saying "It's not what you say in life, it's what you do that defines you."

Then I would like to say what we do in life mostly define our commitment to what we volunteer for.

Meanwhile, what would be most important than saving lives, giving love, advocating peace from the bottom of one's heart and rejoicing in the happiness of others? I say nothing.

Summer is retreating. The heavy rain, which was predicted to hit hard as a result of last year's El-nino impact didn't strike as was feared. In fact it proved productive in most parts of the country, which we all should be grateful for.

Well it is not my objective to write about summer in this article. It is volunteer youths' some inspirational deeds, which I happen to observe on the streets of Addis Ababa.

Most of the volunteer youths were students from several primary, secondary schools and higher educational institutes They consecrated their summer breaks serving their community through different social activities. They have been engaged in facilitating the smooth flow of traffic, donating blood parallel to encouraging others to follow suit, and assisting elderly people leading a precarious life. Humanitarian support was also among their activity. They have also been involved in different community policing activities. They saw to all of these without demanding any material or other financial gains or special rewards.

To forestall traffic accidents and unnecessary jamming volunteers have been controlling things.

And recently I had the chance to attend the closing ceremony of Arada Sub-city South Ethiopia Youth Association volunteers as they accomplished their summer mission with coordinated and colorful way at Minilik Square.

Chairperson of the Association Asebe Argani said, it was for the fourteenth time his association got engaged in similar volunteerism activity. Purpose of the mission is to rescue citizens from traffic accidents. He says such a challenge has become a major cause of death like the lethal diseases affecting the nation. "Therefore, the youth have to play a key role in reducing road traffic accidents and that is what we have been doing over the past three months. Our association also supports the destitute with material assistance. We also participate in seedling transplantation activities. In addition we have volunteers, insiders in the community that helps us in combating crimes and exposing criminals. Specially, we cooperate with police officers in combating illegal human trafficking.

Hailu Hunde a resident and taxi driver says the volunteers' effort in easing traffic congestion and proper flow the road traffic interaction is very convincing and admirable. However, some drivers and pedestrians tend to downplay their role and react irresponsibly. This must change and media have to take a leading role in raising awareness, according to him.

More than 400 volunteers had partook in Arada sub city alone. But so many did engage in such activities throughout the city. The main point here is volunteering in life saving venture is a mentality that all of us should cultivate and learn from others. The Ethiopian new year due to ensue. These youths are getting ready to report back to school. Of course I have seen some youth volunteers working on traffic officers' jobs around the school compounds during the past academic year. But others should also volunteer to stamp their seals on several socioeconomic activities, maintaining peace, helping the poor and protecting the environment. There, we shall secure our treasure of living together in harmony. We shall learn the values of selflessness from the youth.