Volunteer Recognition Day

Almost every one of us has benefitted from the work of selfless people offering their service to better the lives of others, the environment and the whole planet. Volunteers have been existing for centuries, intervening in social, economical and environmental issues that have direct or indirect impact on them. As we mark Volunteer Recognition Day which occurred on April 20^th, 2025 we reflect on the vital role and global impact of volunteers in communities around the world.

Global Issues That The World Faces Today

There are many issues worldwide at this point in time that require assistance to improve. A great example of these are the 17 United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals.¹

These are goals which address the following issues:¹ 

1. No poverty¹
2. Zero hunger¹
3. Good health and wellbeing¹
4. Quality education¹
5. Gender equality¹
6. Clean water and sanitation¹
7. Affordable and clean energy¹
8. Decent work and economic growth¹
9. Industry, innovation, and infrastructure¹
10. Reduced inequalities¹
11. Sustainable cities and communities¹
12. Responsible consumption and production¹
13. Climate action¹
14. Life below water¹
15. Life on land¹
16. Peace, justice, and strong institutions¹
17. Partnerships for the goals¹

These goals have a set ideal timeline to be accomplished by 2030.¹ All of this change is only possible through the efforts of one person at a time which is also known as one volunteer at a time. They’ve always been there, responding to needs, sometimes even before we realize them. They often go unnoticed even though they are in the background performing all the work for the major advancements that we read about in the news. Some are trained professionals; others are driven by passion alone. Some seek experience and growth; others simply want to give back. But all of them have one thing in common: they care, and they act. Their contributions have become even more prevalent recently with the COVID-19 pandemic.⁴ The demand for sanitation and healthcare workers rose drastically even as many had their shifts reduced to lower risk of infection and many others were laid off for economic purposes.⁴ This led to many people volunteering their time and effort to do these dangerous jobs that required one to be in close contact with possibly contaminated surfaces or infected people.⁴

Volunteering Around The World: The Bigger Picture

Most international/regional Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and their community based programs operate successfully only with the assistance of these volunteers. Some recognizable names are the United Nations, Doctors Without Borders, the Red Cross, Gift Of The Givers, and the Cameroonian based Association for Community Awareness (ASCOA).^2,5-8 

Some of the tasks that these organizations do to accomplish the UN Sustainable Development Goals are raising awareness, distributing medication, and treating patients in remote regions where there is no access to hospitals for hundreds of kilometers.¹

The first global example of such a NGO is the UN with the world’s most known volunteer program.¹² They registered over twelve-thousand volunteers in 2023, which is a 3.5% increase from 2022.¹² The organization also saw an increase in women volunteers, particularly from African regions, where 48 per cent of UN Volunteers are women.¹² Women contribution to the program surpassed men globally, and made up to 55%.¹² In addition, to this the UN recruited and trained volunteers with disabilities to be part of the program in 2022.¹² Currently the organization has different volunteer categories, from youth, expert, community, and online volunteers of different age groups from different UN member states.¹² Most of the volunteers take part in their communities through organizations aligned with the UN, others volunteer remotely, while others leave their countries to serve abroad.¹² This goes on to prove that volunteering truly has a space for everyone!

The second global example of such a NGO is the Gift Of The Givers.¹³ In 2010, their volunteers comprised one of the first volunteer teams to arrive with search-and-rescue units, medical personnel, and tons of supplies after the devastating earthquake in Haiti.¹³ 

They performed emergency surgeries under tents and saved lives with minimal resources.¹³ 

A regional example is the Cameroonian based ASCOA.¹⁸ Its “efforts are diverse, ranging from environmental protection, plastic pollution reduction, raising awareness about HIV/AIDS and combating stigma.¹⁸

The organization is deeply committed to empowering women, supporting children, fostering peacebuilding efforts, and providing care for displaced populations.¹⁸

Each of these initiatives reflects ASCOA’s holistic approach to tackling social and environmental issues”.¹⁸ In fact, ASCOA has even started a five year plan to promote their own goals which are in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.^1,8 This plan has been implemented with a wholistic vision about the quality of life which includes the wellbeing and prosperity of the population, the feeling of safety, the availability of healthcare and education, the fulfilment of all needs, as well as opportunities for economic growth.⁸ The ASCOA Development and Fundraising Committee are involved in sourcing the resources for these goals to be accomplished.⁸

There are kind and hardworking people right here in their own communities who are doing something to address the UN Sustainable Development Goals one volunteer at a time.¹ People like Che, Epen, Lydia, and Ambang are giving their time to help others through ASCOA. They are making a real difference. These people may not be famous, but they are heroes in their own way. They show that you don’t need to be on TV or speak at big events to help the world. Change can start small with people who care and take action. And they are not alone. There are many more volunteers who are still helping every day, each one playing an important part in making the world a better place.

Meet Che Divine Nsoh, a Development and Human Resources Officer who told me, almost shyly, that his passion for climate change began when he was a child. “I believe climate change should be everyone’s business,” he said. “Joining ASCOA gave me a chance to turn my personal research into something practical. Something real.” You could tell how his dual role also let him empower others, making sustainability not just a mission, but a lived value.

Then there was Epeh Nuela Ayuk , whose calm energy belied the intensity of her convictions. She joined the organization four years ago as a Marine Conservation Officer, she explained how she joined ASCOA to “blend intellectual understanding with hands-on experience.” Her words echoed long after she spoke: “Environmental protection is more than just a role—it’s an ally in everything I do.” In a time of rising sea levels and declining biodiversity, her perspective was as refreshing as the ocean she strives to protect.

Lydia Mojoko, focused on Women’s Empowerment, told me her story while we walked along a beach recently cleaned by the team. “I joined because of how the team works together,” she said. “Volunteering with ASCOA has impacted me personally—in education, in teamwork, and even in networking with sustainability executives. I keep learning every day.” There was something gentle but unwavering about her optimism. She didn’t speak like someone who wanted to be heard; she spoke like someone who was already listening.

And then there was Ambang Marion, the Assistant Project Coordinator who volunteered on the recommendation of a friend. What she found was more than she expected. “It’s been valuable to me,” she said. “It gave me confidence—public speaking, communication, teamwork. I’m really grateful.” She lit up when she described community initiatives like tree planting and beach clean-ups. For her, giving back wasn’t a duty; it was a way of living with purpose.

As we recognize Volunteer Recognition Day, we don’t just celebrate service—we celebrate humanity. Whether it’s rescuing lives in disaster zones, protecting marine ecosystems, empowering women, or creating safe spaces for the displaced, volunteers are the threads that hold communities together. They may not wear uniforms or earn headlines, but they are heroes all the same. And their impact ripples far beyond what can be measured—transforming not just the world around them, but the very fabric of who we are.

References

1. United Nations Department Of Economic And Social Affairs. The 17 Goals. United Nations: Department Of Economic And Social Affairs Sustainable Development. Accessed April 26, 2025. https://sdgs.un.org/goals. 
2. United Nations. Home. United Nations – Peace, Dignity, And Equality On A Healthy Planet. Accessed April 26, 2025. https://www.un.org/en/. 
3. UNHCR. Home. UNHCR: The UN Refugee Agency – Nordic And Baltic Countries. Accessed April 26, 2025. https://www.unhcr.org/neu/unhcr-and-sustainable-development-goals. 
4. Domaradzki J, Walkowiak D. Medical Students’ Voluntary Service During The COVID-19 Pandemic In Poland. Front Public Health. 2021;9:618608. Published 2021 Apr 13. doi:10.3389/fpubh.2021.618608
5. Medecins Sans Frontiers. Home. Medecins Sans Frontiers – Doctors Without Borders. Accessed April 26, 2025. https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/. 
6. The American National Red Cross. Home. American National Red Cross. Accessed April 26, 2025. https://www.redcross.org/?srsltid=AfmBOopyEpS-xL5rxghlX7PlZ-wNW9E9WMm6NLLmKZaaFcukAeDWgg5l. 
7. Gift Of The Givers Foundation. Gift Of The Givers Foundation. Accessed April 26, 2025. https://giftofthegivers.org/. 
8. ASCOA. Home. Association For Community Awareness – ASCOA. Accessed April 26, 2025. https://ascoa-cm.org/. 
9. Raise Awareness And Advocate. World Opportunities. February 15, 2024. Accessed April 26, 2025. https://world-opportunities.com/raise-awareness-and-advocate/. 
10. González D. Female Pharmacist Packing Medicines On Table While Standing In Storage Room. Westend61. Accessed April 26, 2025. https://www.westend61.de/en/photo/DGOF01363/female-pharmacist-wearing-medical-scrubs-standing-in-laboratory. 
11. Bracelet Of Hope. Mobile Health Units. Bracelet Of Hope. Accessed April 26, 2025. https://www.braceletofhope.ca/mobile-health-units/. 
12. UN Volunteers. UNV Annual Report 2022. UN Volunteers. 2022. Accessed April 26, 2025. https://www.unv.org/Annual-report/Annual-Report-2022#:~:text=international%20UN%20Volunteers.-,Statistical%20overview,SDG%205%20and%20SDG%2010. 
13. Lelliott J. Gift Of The Givers Rescuers In Haiti For The Long Haul. TimesLIVE. January 21, 2010. Accessed April 26, 2025. https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/world/2010-01-21-gift-of-the-givers-rescuers-in-haiti-for-the-long-haul/. 
14. National Defence. Search And Rescue (SAR) In Central Canada. Government Of Canada. Accessed April 26, 2025. https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/services/operations/military-operations/types/search-rescue/central-canada.html.
15. Hancock S. Risk Factors For COVID-19 Among US Healthcare Workers. News – Medical – Life Sciences. December 7, 2021. Accessed April 26, 2025. https://www.news-medical.net/news/20211207/Risk-factors-for-COVID-19-among-US-healthcare-workers.aspx. 
16. Ready.gov. Build A Kit. Ready.gov. Accessed April 26, 2025. https://www.ready.gov/kit.
17. Amirtharajah M. Performing Trauma Surgery In The Public Eye – And In The World’s Forgotten Wars. Médecins Sans Frontières. Accessed April 26, 2025. https://www.msf.org/international-activity-report-2017/performing-trauma-surgery-public-eye-%E2%80%93-and-world%E2%80%99s-forgotten. 
18. ASCOA. About The Association For Community Awareness (ASCOA). Association For Community Awareness – ASCOA. Accessed April 26, 2025. https://ascoa-cm.org/about-us/.