How to Help

“The individual is the indispensable agent of change.”  Archbishop Desmond Tutu, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize (1984)

“I am asking you to give your support and volunteer your time to help in the fight against HIV and AIDS.” Nelson Mandela, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize (1993)

“Everyone of us can make a contribution. And quite often we are looking for the big things and forget that, whoever we are, wherever we are, we can make a contribution.” Wangari Maathai, first African woman to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize (2004).

What is Needed

All Non-Profit Organisations (NPOs) need the following three types of resources:

  • Financial assistance. Money is required to fund: staff wages; running costs; transport; building projects; renovation projects; training programmes; equipment needs; feeding schemes; medicines; school requirements (fees, uniforms and stationery). Financial donations can either be given directly to the NPO, or specific expenses can be funded. For instance the Starfish Foundation, which supports NPOs working with orphans and vulnerable children, often funds food parcels and school requirements directly.
  • Skills. Volunteers can provide a range of skills and resources that would otherwise not be affordable to many NPOs. Aside from contributing much-needed extra manpower, volunteers can offer specific skills. Some of the most commonly required and useful skills include: business, marketing, media, legal, fundraising, technical, building, teaching, healthcare, counselling, childminding, agricultural, arts and craft, cooking, drama, music and driving skills.
  • Items. Most items that are still in working order can be put to good use by NPOs, depending on their main activities. The most useful items include: cars, office equipment (desks, chairs, filing cabinets, computers, printers etc), household equipment (fridges, stoves, kettles, heaters, washing machines, tables, chairs, crockery, cutlery, beds, cots, floor mats, linen, pillows, blankets, towels), food (non-perishable and perishable), babies formula, disposable nappies, medical supplies, clothing, shoes, books, stationery, children’s games, toys, jungle gyms, sports equipment, gardening equipment, seeds, sewing machines, fabric, art and craft materials, musical instruments, cleaning materials and toiletries.

What To Do Next

If you wish to offer your time and skills, financial assistance or items you can either search the Directory to find an appropriate organisation or you can contact one of the volunteer organisations listed in this section.

 
Volunteers as a Resource
This section explores the reasons why people volunteer, the role of volunteers in non-profit organisations, what volunteers can provide, and ways to recruit volunteers. 
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Employee-Supported Volunteering

This section explores the widespread benefits to companies of involving their employees in a structured volunteering programme that reflects their corporate vision and social investment policy.  

 
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Managing Volunteers Successfully

This section provides advice on the following aspects of volunteer management:

  • Briefing new volunteers
  • Registration of volunteers and record keeping
  • Training of volunteers
  • Support and supervision of volunteers
  • Facilitating co-operation and consultation between staff and volunteers 

 
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Organisations that Assist Employee Volunteering Programmes

Two main organisations in South Africa, Charities Aid Foundation Southern Africa (CAF SA) and The Volunteer Centre, provide structured programmes to support and promote employee volunteering. Full details of their different programmes are provided. 

 
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Managing Volunteers From Abroad and Possible Volunteer Problems

This section discusses the role and management of volunteers from abroad working for NPOs in South Africa. Potential volunteer problems are also covered here. 

 
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Employee-Involvement Ideas

This section describes several different ways in which companies can involve their employees in supporting the work of the non-profit sector. It includes the following methods:

  • Arranging a regular financial contribution from employees through a ‘Give As You Earn' programme. Many companies offer to match the amount of money donated by staff, thereby doubling the contributions raised for selected NPOs.
  • Encouraging staff to volunteer by offering to match the amount of time volunteered with a cash donation. This is called the Matched Giving programme.
  • Assisting staff volunteering activities through giving time off during office hours, and providing material support and transport.
  • Rewarding and motivating staff through award schemes.

Several examples of the ways in which the employees of different corporates in South Africa have helped NPOs working in the field of HIV and AIDS are described.

 
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