Shaping my persona—a blog from Bangladesh

Sonia Mehzabeen, UNV County Coordinator Bangladesh
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Born and raised in South Asia, I inherited a rich socio-cultural history; adopting societal norms of inclusiveness was an integral part of my upbringing. As the first-born child in a middle-class family, I was no exception to many others from my time. As young kids, we were encouraged to remain dutiful to family members and neighbours. Helping with household chores, sharing meals, offering support during troubled times, and celebrating festivals together were commonplace. The other important lesson was how important time was and how we must make the best use of it. This led me to a regimented lifestyle from a very early age.  

As readers you might be pondering why I chose to begin my blog with—duty, routine, time—as you read through, you will soon find the answer.

My country, Bangladesh was a beginner when I was born. She and I grew up almost together. We have traveled through the caravan of time and experienced transitions of more than four decades now. In all these years, I have seen her moving through the tough tunnels of development dynamics.

What brings me to work everyday? A blog from Pakistan

Waseem Ashraf, UNV Country Coordinator Pakistan
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Volunteerism is not just about dedicating time; it’s about dedicating heart, passion, and a deep commitment to making the world a better place. As someone privileged and honoured to work with United Nations Volunteers (UNV), I often ask a simple question from our UN Volunteers during our monthly tea gatherings: What brings you to work every day?

But first let’s talk about tea or chai. Last year in a meeting with our senior manager, she asked me definition of a problem. “Anything that cannot be resolved over a cup of tea is a problem” was my answer.

In Pakistani culture, “let’s meet over a cup of tea” is not merely a simple statement. It symbolizes warmth, respect, and care. Tea is an integral part of our society and culture, and as a symbol of hospitality, social bonding, and friendships.  

Back to my question now.

Supporting Education in West and Central Africa

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Education shapes lives, unlocks potential, and builds stronger societies. On this International Day of Education, we share glimpses of the work of UN Volunteers who make learning more accessible and inclusive across West and Central Africa.

In northeast Nigeria, where conflict has displaced thousands, UN Volunteer Mary Mahdi Bumba works with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) as a Digital Literacy Facilitator. Mary’s journey began by addressing the digital gender gap, equipping girls in internally displaced persons (IDP) camps and schools with essential tech skills. As her initiative grew, boys and adults joined in, learning practical skills like social media marketing and graphic design.

These tools go beyond the classroom.

UN Volunteers Drive Digital Solutions

Naomie Masika Mwamutsi
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Two UN Volunteers, Blasio Amoche and Mohamed Gololcha, are showcasing how digital innovation when paired with a commitment to service, can transform and enhance sustainable development. Their work highlights the vital role of young experts in creating change. 

As a Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Specialist with the World Food Programme (WFP) in Isiolo County, Blasio harnesses digital tools like mobile data collection and data visualization to turn complex information into actionable insights.

One Volunteer’s Fight Against Human Trafficking in Africa

Akola Munyiri - Project Support Associate at the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Regional Office for Eastern Africa (ROEA)
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About 49.6 million individuals are currently trapped in modern slavery, with one in four victims being children, according to a 2022 report published by the International Labor Organization. This crime is so prevalent that it is happening right now and in every country around the world. It has grown exponentially to become the second-largest black market after the illicit drug trade.  

Ending human trafficking is, therefore, no small feat. It requires a coordinated effort from international organizations, member states, NGOs, and survivors who have turned their trauma into advocacy. UN volunteers have also become an integral part of the parties joining to fight and prevent this crime.  

Among these volunteers is Akola Munyiri, who served as a Project Support Associate at the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Regional Office for Eastern Africa (ROEA) in Nairobi, Kenya. Today, Akola’s experience provides us with an insider's look at the vital work that volunteers do to fight against trafficking.  

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