The power of words—a blog

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  • Ayesha Khan
    Ayesha Khan Communications Specialist UNV
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In these absolutely chaotic times, how does one ever sit down to write something full of hope, dreams, ambitions. As a writer, I often put the same question to myself. Yet, precisely, it's times like this that I find words to be the most appropriate funnel. The power of words through which, we allow our imagination to soar beyond the confines of the present. However, at United Nations Volunteers, that becomes a tad easy—we have stories to tell. Stories of volunteers from around the world and how their local-level support brings about positive change.

A former combatant of an armed militia now runs sewing workshops to support her children. A senior retiree embarks on a second career as a volunteer, aiding agricultural businesses and enhancing food security. In remote forests, volunteers conduct malaria surveillance to curb its spread.

Carrying the heartbeat of creativity, possibility, and purpose in Tunisia

A blog from Tunisia
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My name is Marwa Ben Amor. I am a 26-year-old Tunisian African, a student and senior technician in food and health, driven by a passion for sustainability and public health. My journey is rooted in the ancient soil of Tunisia, where olive trees stand as silent witnesses to resilience and community.

Like many young Africans, I saw potential where others saw waste.

The olive by-products often discarded became my inspiration. I embarked on a mission to transform this "waste" into valuable products that sustain both the environment and the people around me. This initiative called OleaRevive isn’t just about sustainability; it’s a story of empowerment.

Through our work, we’ve created opportunities for rural farmers, women, and youth, helping them turn what was once seen as worthless into something meaningful, economically and socially. 

Breaking down barriers through education in Mauritania

A blog from Mauritania
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I am Ousmane Hamed Doukoure from Mauritania. Growing up in Africa profoundly shaped my vision of the world. I encountered limited access to quality education, healthcare, and employment opportunities. Yet, amidst these challenges, there is an undeniable spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship in Africa. We constantly find inventive ways to overcome obstacles and create our own path to success. 

I am 34 years old and a teacher. I firmly believe that to solve Africa's challenges and enable young people to realize their dreams, we need to rethink our education system fundamentally. 

Inclusion is essential; we should ensure that every child, regardless of origin, gender, or socio-economic status, has access to quality education. 

We need to focus on keeping girls in school. Too often, girls drop out of school because of barriers such as early marriage, family responsibilities, and restrictive social norms. 

Shaping a future where no one goes hungry

A blog from Democratic Republic of the Congo
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Growing up in Bukavu, nestled in the lush landscape of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, being African for me means a profound connection to the land. It’s the smell of rain on the soil, the vibrant colours of bustling markets, and the wisdom shared by our elders. It’s a belonging to the land that sustains us, even as it challenges us. I am Charles Baraka Nterany. I am a storyteller.

As a young African at 20, I see the hurdles we face—climate change disrupting agriculture, limited resources affecting education, and political instability creating uncertainty.

Yet, these challenges ignite innovation.

I see it in the way my peers use technology to drive social change and transform agriculture. My work with Kilimo Green Farm revealed the resilience of Congolese farmers, who, against all odds, adapt to climate change with sustainable practices. 

Embodying the spirit of Ubuntu in Angola

A blog from Angola
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To me, being African embodies the spirit of “Ubuntu”—“I am, because we are.” As Nelson Mandela explained, this doesn’t negate self-advancement; it asks us to pursue it in ways that uplift our communities. I am Manuel Adriano and these are my reflections from Angola.

Being African means enabling our communities to grow and thrive. 

The spirit of Ubuntu—uplifting our communities.

Growing up, I noticed that young Africans are often encouraged to pursue set career paths like law, medicine, or engineering. But in a changing world, the question should shift from “What do you want to be?” to “What problems do you want to solve?” 

Changing the narrative through sexual and reproductive health in Lesotho

A blog from Lesotho
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My name is Lipuo Agnes Mokhesi and I am 26 years old. I was born and raised in the rural areas of Lesotho, in the Mohale’s Hoek district at Maphutšeng. Being a girl child in rural areas with little or no awareness about sexual reproductive health poses a big threat. This is my story.

Sexual and reproductive health is not only vital for the social well-being of a girl child but also for her physical and mental health.

Most people from rural areas lack information on how to take proper care of themselves. For example, during my first menstruation, I was so naive that I fumbled through the basic steps of maintaining good hygiene. This was because I had no prior knowledge of what it was about. Not just menstruation—terms like safe sex, HIV prevention, mental health, and sexually transmitted infections were also very foreign to us. 

International Volunteer Day 2024

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It is simply not possible to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) without including people at all stages, at all levels, and at all times.

Volunteering makes people part of the solutions. Volunteerism lets people and communities participate in their development. 

Changing social behaviours for the rights of Roma

United Nations Volunteers
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Laure Anne Storne and Mihail Platinda are UN Volunteers. The focus of their volunteer assignments—to work with Roma communities in the Republic of Moldova and promote their integration into UN programmes and initiatives. On Human Rights Day in particular, we acknowledge the importance and relevance of human rights in our everyday lives, and for societies to be more peaceful, equal and sustainable.

Laure is a fully funded UN Volunteer from France who started her assignment in September 2023.

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