Volunteering for community services for me isn't just a mere or noble act, as many would call it. I believe it's one of the ways to connect, interact, and deeply become part of the community we live in. It is one of the things I don't hesitate to participate in, and it's irritating when I see people who feel too big to participate when it comes to volunteering for community work. I believe that participating in reasonable activities that have to do with your community doesn't make you less or bigger, and it's just the right thing to do.
I do tell people that my community members are my families, even though we are not related by blood. I know there are those who don't love me, but among these people are my first responders in times of trouble before my real family will show up, so acting to be bigger than them is a complete waste of time. It doesn't mean I have to always be around them, but there are important times when I should, and I don't hesitate to do the needful.
From experience, volunteering when it has to do with community service is one of the most effective ways to bridge gaps as it brings people together regardless of your age, gender, and even status in the community, plus I have seen how much it can build a stronger and more resilient community. This act brings growth, and the effect is always positive when done wholeheartedly by members of the community.
When it comes to volunteering in my community, I love working behind the scenes because taking the center stage isn't really my thing, but sometimes I just have to be out there on the street. I don't like being noticed; I just want to contribute one way or another and be happy that I have somehow given back to the community where I live.
I have engaged in different community services, which include planning community growth with the youth, enforcing community laws, cleaning, and even providing security, which happens to be the biggest for me.
Before COVID-19 struck, the city I live in went through a lot of troubles in the hands of the life-threatening Badoo boys; they were a dangerous sect that killed people, for God knows why, in Ikorodu. Their operations spread like wildfire, and it got to a point when we had to protect ourselves because the police can't be everywhere at the same time, and moreover, the guys struck at unexpected places.
I returned from work that evening and got a message from the youth leader about the youth helping the vigilantes to provide stronger security in the community. It was really inconvenient, but I didn't have a choice, and to make things easier, I suggested that we make it a shift work since there were lots of youths in the community.
We agreed on taking turns, and it was an opportunity for us to rest. Every night, we beat bells and put out fire signals just to make any trespassers know that the community youth aren't asleep. This voluntary service lasted for more than a month, but I was happy to participate, knowing fully well that the elderly, women, and even children are safe despite my family not living there.
Fast forward to the Era of the one million boys who terrorized some part of Lagos during COVID 19. I called my mom one night, and she said she hasn't slept for a few nights because of the One Million Boys saga. I felt heartbroken and decided to go to her place because it's a small community and I was restless.
Upon my arrival, I met with some of my childhood friends who were still in the community and planned something. I gave them ideas on how we patrolled in Ikorodu, and we swung into action. Luckily for us, we got support from a police station close to the community, and it made things very easier.
Those experiences taught me how much we can achieve when united, and I felt great to have volunteered. I won't deny that everything was risky, but there were a lot more at risk, and we wouldn't have forgiven ourselves if we didn't do anything when we could to prevent tragedy from happening in the community.
Speak of kindness, empathy, love, compassion, and giving back to the community; volunteering teaches all of these, and I have learned great lessons.
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