The programme, which was first introduced in 2011, gives skilled professionals the opportunity to leave their jobs and volunteer their time and skills to work at a non-profit organisation for a year.
Executive head of sustainability and corporate citizenship at Vodacom, Suraya Hamdulay, said the programme was unique to South African social issues and would not be the answer to all problems, but said it was a step in the right direction.
Hamdulay said it was encouraging to see more young South Africans taking up the challenge and saying ‘We can do the job’, despite not having years and years of experience.
Lonehill resident, and attorney by profession, Samantha Ngcolomba has volunteered to lend her legal skills to the Family Life Centre based in Parkwood. Established in 1949, initially as the Johannesburg Marriage Guidance Society, the centre was a response to an increase in marital and family breakdowns.
In 1978, the society amalgamated with The Youth Advice Bureau, and in 1979 the name was changed to Family Life Centre.
According to Ngcolomba, research has shown that many societal issues stemmed from family problems, and explained how although the organisation’s core function was counselling, there was also a need for legal advice.
Ngcolomba has officially been involved with the centre since June, and said her main focus would be to help educate people on their rights.
“I’ve become a bit of a counsellor. When I first arrived I would have people cry in my office and I would never know what to do,” she said.
“Next year, I hope to leave the organisation… where they can carry on without me, and in a position where they can raise funds to sustain their projects – my aim is to create some sort of sustainability.”
Vodacom will pay successful volunteers a monthly salary that will be negotiated and agreed upon together with the chosen organisation, however, Vodacom reserves the right to determine the final salary.
