JAMAICA JOINS the rest of the world in celebrating International Volunteer Day (IVD) on Friday, December 5.
Every day, thousands of Jamaicans serve through various non-governmental, community-based church and civic groups across the island. IVD is an effort by the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme to recognise, support and promote their work.
GOALS
This year, IVD will highlight organisations and individuals whose work is in keeping with the United Nations Millennium Development Goals being focused on this year. The goals, agreed by UN member states seek, by 2015 to: eradicate extreme poverty and hunger; combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases, and ensure environmental sustainability. These are three of eight Millennium Development Goals which UN states hope to achieve by 2015.
ACTIVITIES PLANNED
To mark the day, there will be activities at Treasure Beach, St. Elizabeth; the HIV/AIDS Hospice in Albion, St. James; Seaboard Street by Falmouth Courthouse in Trelawny; Spring-field Youth Club, St. Thomas; and August Town Primary School in Mona, St. Andrew.
The activities range from a demonstration of a sewage plant in operation in St. Elizabeth to a discussion on AIDS and prevention in St. James, as well as a volunteer village with items showcasing approaches to poverty alleviation in St. Thomas.
Part of the day's activities will be presentation of awards to two volunteers from each parish who "exemplify the spirit of volunteerism and exhibit qualities such as tolerance and commitment."
PUBLIC IS INVITED
The public is invited to attend and participate in the events across the island. In addition, the UN Volunteers programme is inviting all Jamaicans to find a way to volunteer for a worthwhile cause and help Jamaica meet its Millennium targets.
Here are other opportunities for volunteers:
The Teen Centre Foundation Limited, a new counselling and crisis centre for teen, has been established. The organisation is in need of skilled persons, educators for slow learners as well as volunteers to provide a wide range of services for the organisation.
CONTACT US
Contact person: Ms. Naudia Grant; she can be reached at: 425-4994/ 906-7928
Or contact the National Registry of Volunteers
c/o School for Graduate Studies and Research
2nd Floor, Assembly Hall
University of the West Indies, Mona
Tel: (876) 702-3283/970-0279
Fax:(876) 702-3641
