RUHANGO – Non Governmental Organizations have set in motion a major campaign to have the government introduce a National Volunteer Policy and laws.

The campaign kicked off in Ruhango District this week and is being championed by The YoungWomen Christian Association (YWCA) who conducted a baseline survey on the importance and contribution of volunteer services to the economy.

"The outcomes of the survey will be presented to various district leaders so as to get views of local leaders ahead of the final report findings that will be presented to the ministries of Labour and Youth,” said Prudentienne Uzamukunda, the YWCA coordinator.

Some of the outcomes of the survey indicate there is no policy or laws n protecting volunteers, most voluntary work is done by expatriates, and that there are many skilled youths who can be useful to community development.

"There is need to have a policy on volunteer work so as to validate the contribution of voluntary work to the national economy and develop skills and experience of youths,” Archimède Sekamana, the survey coordinator, said.

Ruhango District officials welcomed the proposal and recommended that the policy consider allocating specific budgets to facilitate volunteers, advocate for volunteer rights, and sensitize the usefulness of voluntary services.

"Such policies should be implemented and advocated for because the local government has many activities in which local volunteers can be resourcefully used, especially in research and data collection, among other social activities,”  Said Epimaque Twagirimana, Ruhango Vice Mayor for Economic Affairs.

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