Volunteerism , Youth & entrepreneurship

1. Volunteerism , Youth & entrepreneurship By Israel Ilunde Executive Director Youth Partnership Countrywide 0754 77 22 12 Email: ilunde@yahoo.com

2. Layout • Introduction • Defining Volunteerism and Entrepreneurship (and the Types of entrepreneurship) • The universal values on volunteerism • Qualities of an entrepreneur • Enemies of entrepreneurship • Challenges of volunteerism and entrepreneurship in TZ • Conclusion

3. Introduction • Let me start by saying the major part of my engagement in the labour market has been and is still voluntary for the past 15 years. I have no regret • My Journey of volunteerism started just after completing my A level studies.Having started working with neither food nor bus fares, I supported my stay in the city by Selling newspapers as a vendor so as to raise some cash to get more strength to offer my service as a volunteer. • At first place I was a supporting staff, then project assistant ,then founded an organization, worked as a deputy director and today I am The Chief Executive Officer for the Youth Partnership Countrywide (YPC) promoting volunteerism ,civic empowerment and entrepreneurship. • I stand here today with my professional qualities as an employer ,job creator and consultant as an outcome of serving the voluntary sector .I don’t seek employment ,I create work opportunities and a demand for my service within the communities I serve. You can also try this • If we wait for payments and material reward to contribute to common goods , the voices of the voiceless may not be heard, the poor will remain poorer and those who holds power in politics and economy will hide their heads in the sky and forget about the needs and aspirations of the majority poor-the young people, people with disability, those living with HIV and the rural women and men .

4. Introduction cont.. • In a normal life some of you an I,are a witness of many failures in life .Some people have lost hope and committed suicide,Students and out of school youth turning into alcoholics and gangs of robberers, graduates remaining useless even when they have colourful scores,Mariage broken and children and spouses abandoned.

5. Introduction cont... • Experience has shown that problems of similar nature will persist if long term solutions are not discussed. Many of the exposed problems of this kind are a result of lack or inadequate entrepreneurial skills and behaviours. Inadeqate utilization of time in early stages of lifetime adds to a risk of becoming extremely poor.

6. Defining volunteerism • It is obvious that there is no universal definition of volunteerism. It is from this background that the definition and description of volunteerism is determined by several circumstances but becomes universal only based on its core values such as:- • commitment, • solidarity, • desire to contribute to common good and • working without expecting material reward • Volunteerism therefore is to offer to do something that you do not have to do often without having been asked to do it and /or without expecting payment(Cambridge advanced learners dictionary) • Volunteer is a person who does something especially helping other people willingly and without being forced or paid to do it (Cambridge advanced learners dictionary

7. Defining Entrepreneurship • It is the ability to identify opportunities and take advantage of them • Ability to start a business or establish an enterprise or initiate something • An Entrepreneur is a person who takes a risk of starting up and running a business enterprise (Websters English Dictionary ) • Any person who has the ability to identify opportunities and take advantage of them

8. Identifying opportunities ? • To identify opportunity means to see the gape, a missing service or value, a problem, a possibility to promote yourself or your activity • To take advantage of the opportunity means to dare and start a business, an activity, create a scheme ,project ,push or put a special effort

9. Types of entreprenuership • Business entrepreneurship • Cooperate entrepreneurship • Social entrepreneurship

10. Universal Values of Volunteerism A desire to contribute to a common good Out of free will and in the spirit of solidarity Without expecting material reward (Helen Clark) Justice ,Equality and freedom (UN Charter) Belonging and empowerment

11. Qualities of an Entrepreneur • Creativity • Enterprising • Independent • Trust of others • Objective • Hard worker • Positive attitude

12. Qualities of an Entrepreneur...Cont • Understanding person • Committed • Likes feedback (Both positive and negative ) • Honest and predictable • Tolerant • Good Leader –listener ,good decisions • Effective mobilizer and motivator of a group • Understands different cultures and contexts

13. Enemies of entrepreneurship • Unreasonable Delays • Fear to fail • Fear of rivals • Entertaining Interfearences • Conflicts • Laziness • Time mismanagement • Peer Group effect • Lack of Plans • Thinking ‘Small’

14. Challenges of Youth volunteerism and Entrepreneurship in TZ • Most people are not aware of the principles and values of volunteerism so ,the demand for financial reward • Some organizations had a bad start by distributing envelopes to the poor so have killed the volunteerism spirit and creativity •  Most students are only aware and interested in internship rather than volunteerism ,so become late in acquiring work experience • Inadequate policy and legal environment to support volunteerism • A serious gap between local and international volunteer in terms of logistical support such as Meals ,transport ,housing , Insurance, etc

15. Conclusion • If we wait for payments and material reward to contribute to common goods , the voices of the voiceless may not be heard, the poor will remain poorer and those who holds power in politics and economy will hide their heads in the sky and forget about the needs and aspirations of the majority poor-the young people, the old ,people with disability, those living with HIV and the rural women and men .

16. Conclusion ...Continues The 2012 IVD marked by most of you in this room and and others worldwide is an appreciation and reflection of enormous potentials for a bright future for the youth and our communities .All Volunteers have no regret but come out bold with success stories of changed lives around the needy communities. Youth must behave as entrepreneurs throughout their study and life time by identifying various opportunities ,observing better use of their time and planning for success. It is not too late !!. Just Get organized towards a better future, your future rests on your today’s vision and actions.

17. “Volunteer Actions counts” Thank you all Israel Ilunde ilunde@yahoo.com +255 754 772212