Small actions bring big change – become a volunteer and help change the world

“A win-win” that resulted in uplifting everyone’s sense of worth. A learning experience providing “a sense of hope”. An effort to “do some good” that “just makes sense”.

These are some of the sentiments expressed by ordinary citizens who heeded the call by a homegrown South African insurer to give generously of their time to help improve the lives of those around them.

Recent research proves what we intuitively already know: that non-profit organisations (NPOs) in South Africa play a massive role in developing the communities in which they operate.

With this in mind, and in the strong belief that private organisations should go beyond corporate social investment in bringing about positive and enduring change, Hollard in April this year launched its innovative ChangeMaker campaign.

The campaign calls on all citizens to volunteer their time and effort in making South Africa a better place, and makes it easy for them to do so through an innovative partnership with ForGood, a platform that matches would-be volunteers with causes across a broad geographic and needs spectrum.

Says Hollard Group Executive for Brand Heidi Brauer, “The campaign was inspired by the collective effort by citizens and non-profits to provide helping hands after the riots in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng in July last year. We wanted to start a movement to provide a vital lifeline for hundreds of thousands of South Africans whose lives and livelihoods were devastated by the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and the country’s battered economy over the past few years.”

Not only does volunteering contribute significantly towards empowering communities, there is evidence that suggests it is also a win for those doing the volunteering.

In fact, studies – such as United Kingdom research published this year – show that people who volunteer experience better quality of life (from a health perspective) than those who do not.

Gqeberha mom-of-two Colette van Heerden’s experience with Hollard ChangeMaker is a case in point. She says when she found out about the campaign, she thought it was “so cool” and “went straight to the website and signed up”.

She used her content-writing skills to volunteer for the i4118 Foundation NPC, an organisation that provides long-term, activity-based mentorship for vulnerable children and teenagers in Alberton on the East Rand. She ended up writing sponsorship request letters for a golf day fundraiser, “because I loved the idea of being able to help and volunteer on odd jobs and requirements as per my skills, anywhere in South Africa”.

Going over and above this, she also used her networking skills to put the charity in contact with people who could assist with golf day prizes and merchandise.

“I would highly recommend volunteering to everyone,” says Van Heerden, who thinks it’s great that some of the programmes are open to online volunteering, which is the route she went.

“I hope the concept of supporting charities asking for help, connecting them with willing and able helpers, spreads like wildfire. This is a win-win that results in uplifting everyone’s sense of worth.”

‘There is hope’

Certified financial planner and Rotarian Sybille Essmann says when she heard about the ChangeMaker campaign, “it made sense to use my vocation to do some good”.

She volunteered with Khulisa Social Solutions, a non-governmental organisation that aims to empower vulnerable children, youth, those who are marginalised and communities in need.

The non-profit operates nationally, employing more than 180 staff members in 16 offices, and Essmann offered a Zoom “financial planning 101” session to about 12 people at the charity’s Cape Town branch.

“I gave them an introduction to non-product-based life and disability needs and solutions and retirement planning,” says Essman, who has been a financial planner for 34 years. “I enjoy mentoring and teaching, so this was just up my alley.”

Providing feedback on a “very productive session” with Essmann, Khulisa Social Solutions managing director Lesley Ann van Selm noted that the session gave the team a lot to think about when it comes to managing finances and preparing for the future.

The charity thanked her for giving its team a portion of her “most precious resource” – her time – and said it was “very useful”.

Financial manager Roslyn Maree, who lives in Fourways, Johannesburg, says she signed up to volunteer because she believes it’s a “really clever idea” for big businesses to be proactive and get together with NPOs to benefit others.

She originally wanted to work with an organisation for the elderly, but did not find anything suitable in her area and ended up registering herself and her daughter to volunteer at Kids Haven in Benoni, which provides shelter, protection, education, training and therapy for children in need.

They started off facilitating craft lessons with kids, and she now coordinates a community effort to donate items to the Kids Haven shop. “I’ve taken about seven or eight full carloads of goods – everything from clothes to cricket bats – for donation. Everyone in my community knows that I will collect items from them and deliver them to the shop.”

Maree says, “When you get to a certain stage in life, you understand the importance of giving back … It’s easy to stick your head in the sand, but there’s hope when you see the amount of effort the ladies [at Kids Haven] put in to raise these children.

“I’d recommend volunteering without a doubt,” Maree concludes. “It’s a learning experience for everyone.”

The year-long Hollard ChangeMaker campaign runs until April 2023. Help make a difference by signing up here: https://www.hollard.co.za/changemaker.