Celebrating International Volunteers Day, 5th December, is an opportunity to reflect on the good deeds being carried out by over 600 South African Red Cross Society (SARCS) volunteers who are always there to strengthen the needs of communities in times of calamity or in times of despair.

The close proximity of World Aids Days (1 December) and Volunteers Day highlights the priority and need for home-based care for people living with HIV and Aids as one of the key millennium activities for SARCS in providing trained care facilitators and care givers. Various forms of support are provided by SARCS Volunteers to families and households who are coping with loved ones infected with HIV & AIDS so that they can remain in their own home environment with their nearest and dearest.

SARCS volunteers are trained in counseling their clients and their relatives, adding much needed emotional and spiritual support as well as ensuring that food parcels reach the most needy and neglected members of society such as orphans and vulnerable children who have been hardest hit by the pandemic. During 2004 the 616 Red Cross volunteers helped over 8900 people living with HIV & Aids and gave comfort and encouragement to 44 000 family members. The current SARCS client base is 33% HIV positive with the majority being women.

“As a volunteer organisation we draw our members from the community. The volunteers understand the idiosyncrasies and specific requirements and they are able to initiate and build relationships on behalf of the Red Cross. With their input we are able to avoid a top-down approach when we plan and implement projects. The participation of the community is an opportunity to increase knowledge on both sides and often the project implementation has a ripple effect into other communities – this is the value of volunteers” said Mr. Leslie Mondo, Secretary General of SARCS.

The United Nations and governments around the world, as well as here in South Africa, are recognizing the achievements and broad commitment of volunteers in the eradication of poverty and combating disease. A better future for all is reliant upon this continuous support.

Many volunteers today are people living with HIV & Aids, people who want to combat the pandemic and add value to another life. This self-less display of humanity with little regard for ones own plight is a true demonstration of the seven principles of the Red Cross Movement throughout the world.