Volunteer Locally

“Be the change you wish to see . . . ” — Mohandas Gandhi

Some organizations are gigantic; it’s easy to get swallowed up by the enormity and feel that, despite all your efforts, you haven’t made a dent. But when you volunteer with Orphans Africa, your efforts will have a direct, measurable effect on our four projects and the orphans and widows whom we serve. You’ll be able to hear the stories of how you made a difference! If your passion is to help those in need, to be the change, consider becoming a volunteer with Orphans Africa.

Below we’ve outlined five ways you can volunteer locally:

1. Fundraise

2. Spread Awareness

3. Volunteer at OA Headquarters, Tacoma, WA

4. Volunteer Via “Tele-Commuting”

5. Do you love to sew? Form an Orphans Africa Chapter in partnership with DAYS FOR GIRLS

(Click here for information on volunteering in Tanzania.)

FUNDRAISE

Fundraising is central to our work at Orphans Africa. Simply put, without funding, we can’t do much of anything. OA needs enthusiastic people who are willing to raise funds to help the orphans and widows. This can be done right in your own community, whether individually, within a family unit, a church, a school, or a civic club. Already we’ve had many generous people (including children!) raise funds and awareness. Here are only some of the ways you too can help:

Organize or participate in a “_____-a-thon” such as a marathon, half-marathon, triathalon, walk-a-thon, read-a-thon, swim-a-thon, bike-a-thon, cook-a-thon, or a mud run (mudrun-a-thon?)

Organize a community or church BBQ, pool party, music fest, or similar.

Start a “pocket change drive” at your school or church. All pocket change for one year goes into the OA jar.

Organize a carwash or bake sale.

Organize an auction with goods and services donated by local businesses, or hold a yummy dessert auction!

Throw a home party! (How about a coffee-tasting party . . . or a Victorian tea party? Use your imagination!)

Whatever you decide to do, please let us know about it as far in advance as possible. We may be able to help you with promotion.

SPREAD AWARENESS

As important as fundraising is, it really is incomplete without educating people about OA and the work we do. The outcomes of the above fundraising activities are enhanced when you also share information about OA. Besides the fundraising activities listed above, what follows are some ideas and resources on how to spread awareness.

Ways you can help spread awareness about Orphans Africa:

Speak at your local civic organization, such as a Rotary Club or Lion’s Club.

Speak at your local church, synagogue, temple, or mosque.

If you’re in school, ask permission to speak to your class. We find that children make incredible advocates, especially when they’re advocating for other children!

Write an article about OA and submit it to your community or school newspaper.

Blog about OA.

Create an OA display booth at your next community event.

RESOURCES

Literature:

Click here to download a printable brochure. If you’d prefer OA to mail you some brochures, we’re happy to do so; simply contact us at info@orphansafrica.org.

We also have promotional postcards for handing out at events. Contact us at info@orphansafrica.org to get as many copies as you need.

Videos:

“Never Give Up” — (14:29 minutes) “Never Give Up” explores Tanzania and its extreme poverty, focusing on the story of three orphan siblings whose struggle for survival is an inspiration.

“Volunteer Impressions” – (10:46 minutes) Pablo and Monica from Brazil share their experiences volunteering in Tanzania at OA projects, most especially at the Mwaji Secondary School, located in one of the most poverty-stricken regions.

“Imagine” — (10:52 minutes) Have you ever imagined how your life would be if you’d been born into extreme poverty? Most of us in the Western World can’t. By focusing on the story of Rosie, an orphan, this video examines some of the realities of being an orphan in Tanzania and the everyday challenges in trying to survive and to receive an education.

VOLUNTEER AT OA HEADQUARTERS IN TACOMA, WA

Because we are a smaller organization, when you volunteer with OA you’ll be working directly with the co-founders, the Board of Directors, and the administrative staff in Tacoma, Washington. If you live in the Tacoma area, you can volunteer at our office, located at 2610 N. 8th Street, Tacoma WA 98406 (2nd floor).

What you do for OA at the office is, of course, dependent upon your skills and desires. But again, because we are a smaller organization, volunteers must sometimes be willing to “wear many hats.” We might have a newsletter mailing to get out the door; sometimes we need to send out receipts for donations; sometimes we might need you to make some phone calls, or do some research or development. So, a little bit of flexibility goes a long way. Depending upon your skills, here are some of the things which you might be doing should you choose to volunteer at the OA office: Prepare mailings, process donations, process and send receipts to donors, write articles, prepare newsletters, prepare and send mass emails to constituents, interface with printing companies, perform grant research, and manage fundraising software. If you’re interested in volunteering at our office, please submit our Volunteer Application Form, or contact us at info@orphansafrica.org.

VOLUNTEER VIA “TELE-COMMUTING”

If you live outside of a comfortable commuting distance from Tacoma, you can still be a vibrant part of the OA volunteer team. All you need is a phone, a computer, high-speed Internet, a printer (color preferably), scanner, and Skype capability. With the exception of physically preparing mailings, such as stuffing envelopes, much of what you would do is similar to the duties listed in the above section, “Volunteer at OA Headquarters.” If you have a particular interest or skill, such as grant writing, OA is happy to get you up and running. If you’re interested in joining our OA Tele-Commuting Team, please submit our Volunteer Application Form, or contact us at info@orphansafrica.org.

FORM AN ORPHANS AFRICA CHAPTER

Do you like to sew? Then what are you waiting for? Grab your needle and thread, get your sewing friends together, and form an Orphans Africa Chapter in partnership with Days For Girls.

Women and girls in third world countries frequently do not have access to feminine hygiene products. Or, if they do, the products are cost prohibitive. During their menstrual cycle, women and girls usually stay at home, closeted in their rooms, missing work or school. As a consequence, women struggle to stay productive; girls fall behind the boys at school. Days For Girls has a beautiful remedy — washable, reusable, feminine hygiene kits!

OA first partnered with Days For Girls in 2011 when we took 100 kits with us to Tanzania, distributing them to the women and girls at our project schools. We brought an additional 45 kits sewn by generous group as a senior project for one of our volunteers. The women and girls of Tanzania welcomed the kits with outbursts of cheers and clapping, plus a few giggles! Such a little thing, yet what a huge impact!

Ready to get started? Click here to start an ORPHANS AFRICA chapter via the “Days for Girls” website. Make sure you name your chapter according to your geographic region; for example: “Orphans Africa — Kansas City, Missouri, USA” or “Orphans Africa — Vancouver, BC.” As a partnering chapter, you’ll receive technical support from Days For Girls, plus recognition on their website.

All OA chapters can send their completed kits directly to OA rather than routing them through Days For Girls. And if and when OA has any leftover kits, we will then send them on to Days for Girls for distribution in Africa — usually Kenya, Zambia, or Zimbabwe, or we can store them for the next OA trip to Tanzania. Make as many kits as you want . . . the sky’s the limit! As Days For Girls says, “No woman should be without!”

Click here for helpful information from Days For Girls, including sewing patterns and instructional videos.

In a Nutshell: