Head of a local non-governmental organisation (NGO) is expressing concern about the apparent drop in the number of persons willing to volunteer their time to NGOs and charities in this country and is therefore urging Barbadians to give back.
President of the Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA), Tamita Griffith, in a recent interview with The Barbados Advocate, lamented that Barbados is fast becoming a society of “what’s in it for me” and this she lamented has resulted in persons not being so willing to give of their time or even finances without getting something in return. She is also concerned that as the private sector places emphasis on community service when recruiting new staff, persons will join organisations only on paper and not actually be of assistance.
“Too many people do not like to volunteer their service, they like to know they are getting something tangible in return, but it cannot be about that.
For me, I think if you want to give back to your country and you want to see your country progress, you would try to help in some way – volunteer with an NGO or mentor a child, and with so many youth now going before the law courts, we need more people, especially men to step up and help steer them in the right direction,” she maintained.
With that in mind, she disclosed that the YWCA has been in contact with the local arm of the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) to see how the two can work together to do more for the Barbadian society.
“There is strength in numbers and also by pooling resources you can get so much done, as opposed to organisations setting out to do things and then overlapping in their activities; it is more effective if we can come together where there are common interests. Yes they are YMCA and we are YWCA, but we can join efforts because at the end of the day we have the common objectives,” she said.
Griffith, while remaining mum on the details, said that she has had discussions with the YMCA executive about possible activities on which they can collaborate and are hoping to see that relationship blossom going forward. She made the comments while noting that the YWCA is open to working with any entity with which they share common objectives to help ensure that they are giving maximum support not only to women in the society, but the Barbadian community in general. (JRT)
Section: