VOLUNTEER STORY #4

It’s my most exciting day of the week again. This week, I am sharing the amazing story of an inspiring young lady who is working with her team to empower young girls in Nigeria and Africa. Have you been thinking of a way to make the world better? Read on, this might just be the story that makes it all click.

Full Name: Grace Anuforo

Twitter: @GraceAnuforo

What do you do?

I’m a Girl Child Advocate and Mentor. I have a Girl Child Initiative that gives the African Girl a Voice. We empower Adolescent Girls and give them free internship opportunities at Vocational Organizations. We protect abused girls by connecting/partnering with Non-Governmental Organizations. We organize yearly Girl-Child Conferences, to inspire girls and create a platform for mentorship and follow-up.

This initiative (The Graciella Initiative) is run my passionate team of young Africans.

I also do a personal Girls Hangout in my community on the Female Reproductive and Sexual Health Rights as well as Self-Esteem.

When did you start volunteering?

I started volunteering during my National Youth Service in Edo State.

How many Volunteer experiences have you had so far?

I have had 7 experiences at the moment.

Why did you start volunteering?

I started Volunteering because I needed to gather experience in social work, as I already envisaged doing something for the African Girl Child. I wanted to learn, and also start doing something to create solutions. I badly wanted to solve problems, and it was a thirst for me. I didn’t know how to start, but I figured starting out as a volunteer would be help me.

Did it help?

Yes. Volunteering gave me the experience I needed and opened my eyes to problems and practical solutions.

So what’s your favorite thing about volunteering?

My favourite things about Volunteering are the fact that it creates solutions and puts a smile on faces. The feeling of being a helper to the needy, and being able to bring about solutions, rather than complaining is quite fulfilling. I also enjoy the having stories to tell about community work.

What would you say to people who are contemplating volunteering?

To Prospective Volunteers, listen, it’s an awesome thing. It helps you give back to your community. It gives you a feeling of fulfillment and accomplishment. It creates opportunities and open doors. The number of opportunities I have gotten during the course of volunteering cannot be compared to the few I got coincidentally. Volunteering is the best Feeling!!!….

Yes! Volunteering is the best feeling, it brings you to Volunesia – that moment when you forget you’re volunteering to help change lives, because it’s changing yours.

Thank you Grace. I look forward to all your comments. Do you think we are correct about what volunteerism does? Share your thoughts, you may just be inspiring someone.