The Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA) Youth Volunteer programme was conceptualized to gain a new type of commitment amongst young people through Volunteerism. To achieve this, the WESSA Youth Volunteer programme focuses on providing appropriate coordinated support that builds on the strengths of young people through volunteerism in order to facilitate personal growth, accountability and social cohesion.
The WESSA youth volunteer programme, helps volunteer provide valuable support for important environmental initiatives and will be part of a growing environmental network operating at a grassroots community level.
WESSA youth volunteers work to:
-Protect and conserve natural habitats and biodiversity, by participating in important environmental action projects
-Engage with individuals and communities to enable them to live more sustainably
-Create opportunities for social and economic upliftment through environmental education and skills development
-Collaborate and network with groups and organisations that have similar objectives
-Raise awareness and promote public participation around important environmental issues
WESSA Youth Volunteers receive opportunities to attend introductory and volunteer induction courses. These courses provide mentoring and skills development as part of our Green Matchmaking and Environmental Leadership programmes.
It is also linked to the WESSA One Million Youth initiative , a programme which strategically coordinates all youth work and provides a platform for South African youth to actively participate in achieving the sustainable development agendas.
