YALIServes: Serving Africa Together

Nelson Mandela once said, “A fundamental concern for others in our individual and community lives would go a long way in making the world the better place we so passionately dreamt of.”

With that sentiment in mind, YALIServes continues the legacy of Nelson Mandela through volunteerism. YALIServes encourages all members of the YALI Network to perform acts of service during the week of International Nelson Mandela Day – July 18.

This year, the YALIServes campaign focuses on environmentally-conscious acts of service that can be done within our communities. Stay tuned to this page for resources, tips, and guidance on how to perform acts of service that uplift your community.

By joining YALIServes, you are joining together with leaders across all of Africa to inspire, volunteer, and lead events in your communities. Take action today and start giving back to your community.

Become inspired

Use this infographic to either plan an eco-friendly YALIServes event, or use it to inspire an event idea of your own.

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Plan Your YALIServes event

Unsure of where to start? The YALIServes toolkit can help! The YALIServes toolkit gives you step-by-step instructions on everything from planning, inviting volunteers, to following up after your YALIServes event.

Download the YALIServes toolkit

YALI Voices: Joy of Volunteering

Giving your time and service to your community benefits everyone– your community learns from your expertise, and you contribute to the world being a better place. This five-part vignette series outlines the benefits of volunteering and how it’s not only important for your community but is a smart way to develop and enhance your professional skills. You can also view these vignettes en Français or em Português.

YALI Voices: Joy of Volunteering

The Joy of Volunteering Part 1 The Joy of Volunteering Part 2 The Joy of Volunteering Part 3 The Joy of Volunteering Part 4 The Joy of Volunteering Part 5

The Joy of Volunteering Part 1

What Does It Mean to Volunteer? Watch Mimshach Obioha and Celestina Obiekea talk about what volunteering is and how being a volunteer benefits you and your community.

Part 1

The Joy of Volunteering Part 2

Why Everyone Should Find Time to Be a Volunteer Volunteering has never been more important than it is today. By volunteering with organizations, people have the opportunity to be a part of solving societal problems.

Part 2

The Joy of Volunteering Part 3

The Benefits of Being a Volunteer Watch Mimshach Obiohaand Celestina Obiekea talk the benefits to you and your community when you become a volunteer.

Part 3

The Joy of Volunteering Part 4

Getting the Most from Volunteering Before you volunteer you should keep an open mind — you open yourself up to new ideas, knowledge and insights and you are able to see things from new and interesting perspectives.

Part 4

The Joy of Volunteering Part 5

Getting Even More from Volunteering Watch Mimshach Obiohaand Celestina Obiekea talk about being the best volunteer you can be by providing feedback and using the opportunity to network.

Part 5

This week's YALI Network Climate Hero!

Tope believes that climate change would not just impact forests, or coral reefs, or even people in far-off countries – it will affect all of us. From more extreme weather to increasing food prices, to recreation and decreased opportunities to appreciate the natural world, people everywhere will feel the effects of climate change.

YALIServes Event Highlight

Byron Opere from Kenya facilitated a conversation about proper disposal of waste for his YALIServes community project.

Submit your YALIServes community project details

Thank you for hosting a YALIServes community project. Please fill out this quick survey for a chance to be featured in a future YALI Network campaign, or social media spotlight.

Submit your event report here