Full Coverage: Volunteering

17.04.2008 There has been a sharp rise in attacks on NGOs by Taliban rebels and criminals in Afghanistan from January to March this year, says a report. This dangerous situation is forcing international aid organisations to recruit locals to change their profile and refrain from visibility.

11.04.2008 Using Edu-tainment for Distance Education in Community Work is a guide to creating distance education radio, TV and internet programmes in the Edu-tainment format. Clear and concise, the book is a valuable resource for NGOs, donors, programme managers, writers and producers working in developing countries.

10.04.2008 Prominent citizens of India have written to the Prime Minister urging him to reconsider the Foreign Contributions (Regulation) Bill, 2006. The proposed law gives authorities the arbitrary power to refuse or cancel registration of organisations, which may put NGOs critical of government policies at risk.

08.04.2008 WASHINGTON, Apr 7 (OneWorld) - Five adults and five youths were inaugurated into the Hall of Fame for Caring Americans today, a tribute to national role models who have dedicated their lives to the advancement of others.

07.04.2008 A little-known mobile helpline will now help you find a blood donor in times of crises. All it takes is an SMS. The messages access an online database of 45,000 blood donors in 300 Indian towns and cities.

10.03.2008

15.02.2008 An unusual corporate environmental programme by a global bank draws over a hundred bird enthusiasts each year in India. The annual bird races promote awareness of natural habitats and help collect data. The last race at Bangalore spotted 277 bird species – a quarter of all birds found on the Indian subcontinent.

15.02.2008 Veteran social activist Baba Amte, who recently passed away at his ashram in Maharashtra, will be remembered for his service to the cause of lepers and efforts to keep the diverse social fabric of India intact. He used to say that a true revolution was not destructive but creative.

17.01.2008 Video Volunteers and local NGOs are helping rural communities in India voice their issues to a global audience. Locally relevant video produced by community video units, are empowering people to lead, change and take action.

14.01.2008 A resource book: NGO Law and Governance authored by Grant Stillman is an excellent reference for volunteers in the development sector and students of social change. It provides a detailed information about international and domestic laws and generally accepted governance principles impacting the operation of the civil society sector.

03.01.2008 Pune based Hemant Kanitkar was known for using puppets to spread social awareness in his state Maharashtra and other parts of India. His death, due to prolonged illness at a rather young age, has left a void that will be difficult to fill up.

27.12.2007 Voluntary labour helps transform barren lands of zero production value to amazingly fertile farms in villages across Nanded district in western Indian state of Maharashtra. Villagers are now witnessing a remarkable change in their fortunes.

08.12.2007 In a country where expert advice is hard to find, Nepal’s community health volunteers known as ‘miracle women’ are doing a great job by diagnosing illness, prescribing medicines and running immunisation campaigns. This story is part of a UNICEF series on an upcoming report: Progress for Children, to be launched on December 10, on advances towards the MDGs.

03.12.2007 Dr. A. T. Ariyaratne, founder of Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement, received Sri Lankaabhimanya (Pride of Sri Lanka), countryÂ’s highest honour. He has been recognised for his five decades of service for the empowerment of the oppressed and his unflinching commitment to nonviolence.

30.11.2007

26.11.2007 Even while 3,000 and more people were killed by the deadly storm, local volunteers shouting warnings about the impending cyclone on loudspeakers saved thousands of lives in Bangladesh. This simple, inexpensive and effective warning model is now inspiring policymakers in developing countries.

07.11.2007 Some of the worst disasters have taken place in Asia taking heaviest tolls of human life and property. The second Asian Ministerial Conference being held in Indian capital city on Disaster Risk Reduction will focus on prevention, mitigation and preparedness for disasters.

25.10.2007 A Food for Work initiative by the World Food Programme (WFP) has helped rebuild more than 1,300 kms of rural roads and almost 9,000 kms of bridle paths in quake-affected North Pakistan. Rural roads and pathways connecting the mountainous terrain were destroyed by the 2005 earthquake, cutting people off from relief supplies and medical aid.

16.10.2007 Over 25,000 people are marching 350 kilometres from Gwalior to Delhi, the Indian capital, asking for equal rights to land, forest and water. The Janadesh 2007 campaign focuses on restoring peopleÂ’s self-worth and dignity through issues about their livelihood resources. Jonathan Weedon, an Ekta Parishad volunteer from Scotland shares some of his experiences on the long march to liberty and equity.

16.10.2007 The Rajasthan government and UNICEF have joined hands to mobilize volunteers to strengthen routine immunization in the western Indian state. The pilot project will seek to make people aware of the benefits of vaccination and improve infant and child mortality.