HOW TO MAKE HELPING OTHERS YOUR LIFE’S WORK BY JOINING A NGO

Doing good doesn’t have to be reserved for your spare time. If you’re passionate about helping others, you can make it your life’s work.

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Do you have a caring nature and want to help those less fortunate than you? This gift can be turned into a 9-to-5 job by working for non-governmental organisations (NGOs) that are dedicated to making a difference in their communities. These are non-profit organisations that don’t rely on the government for funding, and they operate in many different fields, ranging from social welfare and healthcare to child welfare and animal protection.

WHAT KIND OF JOBS?
Just like any other businesses, NGOs need people in specific positions or roles to fulfil their day-to-day functions. One can work for an NGO as a fundraiser, accountant, social worker, communications officer, field worker or project manager, to name a few possibilities.

WHERE TO START
So you’ve decided your heart and your destiny lie with helping children, or the aged, or animals…Your first step is to get in touch with an NGO working in that field. Go online and look for their website to learn about them and the work they do. NGOs that have websites will often give information under their careers tab on how the public can get involved in the work they do. Make contact and arrange an interview or visit.

OFFER YOUR SKILLS/RESOURCES
You can begin by volunteering your time at the NGO of your choice or signing up for an internship programme or fellowship. This will help you to understand how they work, get experience and get a foot in the door.

JOIN THE FAMILY
If you become a member of an NGO, you’ll get updates on their activities and be able to identify their needs and offer solutions. If your input is valuable, they might be eager to employ you. You could even end up running the organisation one day.



OLVALEO FOUNDATION
Boniswa Mkhize (28) decided it was time to take a stand against poverty in South Africa. She founded the Olvaleo Foundation to help disadvantaged learners to buy school uniforms and to provide them with educational support. ‘Olvaleo prepares the youth in the community for constructive engagement and empowerment for a better future’ says Boniswa, who is a qualified animal health technician and is passionate about working with children and teenagers.

‘My mom inspired me to start this NGO,’ she smiles. ‘She is always helping and giving to the needy, and she encourages me to give away old clothes – but only if they are still in good condition!’

The long-term goal for Olvaleo is to build a youth development centre in KwaZulu-Natal, where young people will receive skills training and have access to support groups. ‘The support groups will help the youth to heal from whatever they are going through, and help them to grow spiritually,’ says Boniswa.

For more info on Olvaleo Foundation contact Boniswa Mkhize on +2772 341 2720.



HEALINGLEAVES
‘HealingLeaves was established in 1999 by Dienie and Andre Kotze, and works on community development and mental health in Cornelia in the Free State, with a focus on women and children. ‘My parents started the NGO because Cornelia has an extremely high unemployment rate of more than 90 per cent,’ says their daughter Marthé.

‘There is a lot of poverty and many child-headed households. At first, the goal was to help individuals who were in dire need. But now we focus on projects that empower people to improve their lives in the long run, rather than providing short-term financial or material aid.’

HealingLeaves runs a skills development project with women from the community. ‘We have a contract with a skincare range,’ says Marthé. ‘We make hair bands, aprons and facial mittens for their beauticians to use in the salons,’ this gives the women an income and work experience. ‘Seeing my mom’s compassion from a young age, and her commitment to making a difference instilled the passion I have for social justice,’ she smiles.

SOME SOUTHERN AFRICAN NGOS

THE MVULA TRUST works in water and sanitation. It functions as a non-profit grant-making institution for community water schemes in rural areas.
718 James Crescent Halfway House, Midrand, SA
+2711 403 3425
themvulatrust.org.za

READ TO RISE promotes youth literacy in under-resourced communities.
204 The Vineyard Centre, Claremont, Cape Town, SA
+2721 671 3782
readtorise.co.za

KAGISANO SOCIETY WOMEN’S SHELTER PROJECT provides temporary shelter, counselling, community education outreach and advocacy for gender-based violence survivors in Botswana.
P/Bag X046, 6062/3 Extension 19, Gaborone, Botswana
kagisanowomenshelter.org.bw

NAANKUSE works to conserve the land, cultures and wildlife of Namibia.
+264 81 261 2709
naankuse.com

By KATLEGO MKHWANAZI