SDG 3: Good health and well-being, SDG 4: Quality education, SDG 5: Gender equality, SDG 10: Reduced inequalities, SDG 11: Sustainable cities and communities, SDG 16: Peace, justice and strong institutions, SDG 17: Partnerships for the goals
One hot afternoon in Harare, in the course of my work, I sat down with Debbie Chinochema, a young community member and beneficiary of UNICEF programmes in Zimbabwe. She looked me in the eye, smiled shyly, and shared her story with me. Debbie lives with HIV. But more than that, she’s a fighter. A volunteer. A voice.
12 August 2025
East and Southern Africa
Success stories
SDG 3: Good health and well-being, SDG 4: Quality education, SDG 5: Gender equality, SDG 9: Industry, innovation and infrastructure, SDG 10: Reduced inequalities, SDG 17: Partnerships for the goals
I come from Inhambane City, a small town in southern Mozambique. I am currently based in Nampula Province, where I have been serving as a UN Volunteer with UNFPA since February 2023. Child marriage impacts far too many girls, far too early in life. I help local partners by offering support and helping organize activities like mentoring, getting children back into school, and improving access to health services, especially those related to sexual and reproductive health.
16 July 2025
East and Southern Africa
Success stories
SDG 10: Reduced inequalities, SDG 16: Peace, justice and strong institutions, SDG 17: Partnerships for the goals
20 June 2025
East and Southern Africa
Exposure story
SDG 1: No poverty, SDG 2: Zero hunger, SDG 3: Good health and well-being, SDG 4: Quality education, SDG 5: Gender equality, SDG 8: Decent work and economic growth, SDG 10: Reduced inequalities, SDG 16: Peace, justice and strong institutions, SDG 17: Partnerships for the goals
20 June 2025
East and Southern Africa
Exposure story
SDG 3: Good health and well-being, SDG 10: Reduced inequalities, SDG 16: Peace, justice and strong institutions, SDG 17: Partnerships for the goals
Long before the UN Volunteer role, I was already doing volunteer work. I grew up volunteering—joining community initiatives, working with refugee-led organizations, and offering support where I could. In 2015, I became an interpreter for UNHCR. That experience opened my eyes. I saw what was happening behind the scenes in humanitarian response. I saw how systems worked—and sometimes, how they did not. I saw spaces where I could contribute more meaningfully.
20 June 2025
East and Southern Africa
Success stories
SDG 1: No poverty, SDG 2: Zero hunger, SDG 10: Reduced inequalities, SDG 11: Sustainable cities and communities, SDG 16: Peace, justice and strong institutions, SDG 17: Partnerships for the goals
As a Refugee Status Determination Officer, I help people fleeing war, persecution, and violence find protection. I meet them at their most vulnerable, often just after they’ve crossed a border or survived a life-threatening journey. My job is to hear their stories and help decide if they qualify for refugee status. In simple terms, I help them access safety through the law.I have worked in Ethiopia and now in Somalia.
18 June 2025
East and Southern Africa
Success stories
SDG 10: Reduced inequalities, SDG 13: Climate change, SDG 15: Life on land, SDG 17: Partnerships for the goals
05 June 2025
East and Southern Africa
Exposure story
SDG 3: Good health and well-being, SDG 4: Quality education, SDG 10: Reduced inequalities, SDG 17: Partnerships for the goals
03 June 2025
East and Southern Africa
Exposure story
SDG 1: No poverty, SDG 2: Zero hunger, SDG 3: Good health and well-being, SDG 4: Quality education, SDG 5: Gender equality, SDG 6: Clean water and sanitation, SDG 7: Affordable and clean energy, SDG 8: Decent work and economic growth, SDG 9: Industry, innovation and infrastructure, SDG 10: Reduced inequalities, SDG 11: Sustainable cities and communities, SDG 12: Responsible consumption and production, SDG 13: Climate change, SDG 14: Life below water, SDG 15: Life on land, SDG 16: Peace, justice and strong institutions, SDG 17: Partnerships for the goals
This first-of-its-kind tool is designed to systematically measure and spotlight the contributions of volunteers to sustainable development worldwide.The Global Volunteer Index is set to become a game-changer—giving governments and development partners insights to tap into the full potential of volunteerism in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
02 June 2025
Global, East and Southern Africa
Article
SDG 3: Good health and well-being, SDG 10: Reduced inequalities, SDG 16: Peace, justice and strong institutions, SDG 17: Partnerships for the goals
29 May 2025
East and Southern Africa
Exposure story