Volunteerism events get Libyans involved in cleaning up their communities

By Jamal Adel.

Kufra, 24 November 2014:

The International Day of Volunteer Work is fast approaching –and Libyans are getting a head start on . . .[restrict]volunteer projects across the country.

The Libyan Centre for Volunteer Work has begun coordinating massive projects nationwide in collaboration with civic societies and organisations.

“The International Day of Volunteer work is 5 December, but we started earlier in a number of towns and cities across the country,” Libyan Centre for Volunteer Work manager Ali Al-Rigeebi told the Libya Herald.

Projects include cleaning, workshops, entertainment, free diagnoses for patients, and any sort of voluntary work that helps people and contributes in fostering peace in the war-stricken country.

In many towns, people gathered to clean up the rubbish that has collected on the streets and in empty lots. Benghazi, especially, has suffered from mounds of rubbish that have not been collected by street cleaners for months. Residents donned protective face masks and took to the streets to clean it up.

In Ghat, residents are painting over graffiti that has marred the towns buildings and public spaces, in a campaign called “We Love Ghat.”

“We recognise and appreciate all sort of voluntary work, no matter how tiny or immense it is. All kinds of voluntary work are highly appreciated and welcomed,” Al-Rigeebi explained.

The organisation has established a facebook page on which photos from projects around the country are posted in order to encourage participation.

Thus far, in Tripoli alone, some 21 civic societies have participated in events. Volunteers have also worked together in clean up efforts and other projects in another 11 towns and cities.

On the actual International Day for Volunteer Work on 5 December the Libyan Center for Volunteer Work will grant certificates of appreciation to organisations and associations for their hard work.

International Volunteer Day was first established by the UN in 1985 to promote volunteerism and recognise the contributions of volunteers. [/restrict]