People choose to volunteer for a variety of reasons. For some, it offers the chance to give something back to the community or make a difference to the people around them. For others, it provides an opportunity to develop new skills or build on existing experience and knowledge. Regardless of the motivation, what unites them all is that they find it both challenging and rewarding.
At O’mints Foundation, our volunteers are absolutely integral to the work that we do. They lead our campaigns, fundraise and write blog posts. They help us to collect and distribute donations and run community workshops. Their passion and commitment are crucial to ensuring that our projects are successful, and we are constantly amazed by their creativity and dedication. We are always looking for new volunteers! Here are just a few reasons why you should volunteer with an NGO like O’mints Foundation.
1. You are Needed
No work is small, and volunteers are extremely valuable resources for an organization. Whether it’s about financial, mental or physical contribution – everything together matters a lot. Being a volunteer, you can directly get involved with noble work, serving those who need your care and affection. This would also be a chance for you to know that not everyone in this world is born lucky, and you’re needed to stand by a few of them, if not all.
2. It’s Good for your Health
Over recent years, an increasing amount of research into the mental-health benefits of volunteer work has emerged,
Especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, where mental wellness and mental health are being so widely discussed, acts of doing good for others seem more important than ever – and the effects are felt in multiple ways.
It’s been said that doing good for someone else interrupts tension-producing patterns in the brain and replaces them with a sense of purpose, positive emotion and higher confidence levels. Some studies even suggest volunteering helps reduce stress and decrease the risk of depression, and that people who volunteer feel a greater sense of satisfaction with their lives and consider their health generally better than those who don’t.
3. You’ll contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, the United Nations (UN) announced its agenda for sustainable development over the next 15 years.
There are 17 goals that can be contributed towards through sustainable and responsible volunteering programs. Instead of relying on your government to fix global issues, get involved in a sustainable volunteer program so you can contribute in your own way.
Volunteering gives you the chance to be a part of addressing some of the world’s biggest challenges and play an active role in the global community.
4. You’ll Make Meaningful Connections
Volunteering can be a fantastic opportunity to meet like-minded people, form connections with others and become part of a larger community. Small NGOs can feel like a second family, with everyone working passionately towards the same goal, supporting one another. At WIN, we hold regular volunteer virtual meetups, communicating with one another to share ideas, skills and knowledge. Connection is easier than ever before, hindered less and less by distance and borders. Meeting people from other continents, countries and cultures can be one of the best things about volunteering.
5. Get to know other communities… or learn more about your own!
Volunteering with an NGO often gives you the opportunity to gain an in-depth knowledge of the community that you are supporting. This community may be on the other side of the world or right outside your door. Learning about others can offer diverse perspectives and encourage you to try new things. WIN encourages international volunteers to learn more about the country and communities we serve, sharing videos, pictures and interviews with residents to cultivate knowledge and understanding. Our Ghanaian volunteers are invited to accompany us as we visit our target communities, helping to distribute supplies and organise workshops.
To join O’mints Foundation as a volunteer, please APPLY HERE.
