A series of community service activities got under way around the country on Friday December 5,  to commemorate International Volunteer Day.

As an initiative of the Ministry of Local Government, Sports and Culture, various projects were kick-started on Friday morning and are expected to intensify on Saturday December 6.

According to the ministry’s programme officer for Volunteer Day, Maureen Andre, the activities fit well with the ministry's theme for this year, "Service to the Community," which is also why the activities revolved around work required in individual neighbourhoods.

“Voluntary works such as cleaning certain areas in districts like bus stops, clinics, police stations and schools, as well as the painting of some buildings, are on our programme as a trial for this year, so that in the near future more activities can take place on a continual basis,” said Mrs Andre.

Some districts on Friday mobilised community members to participate in voluntary activities.  The emergency brigade in Glacis conducted a cleaning activity at the old cemetery, while another group painted the Glacis police station.

Mrs Andre said that with yesterday being a working day, the turnout was not expected to be overwhelming, but the activities scheduled today should see much more participation.

Apart from beautification works around the various institutions in districts, the volunteers are also helping in other ways, such as cooking for the less fortunate and attending a volunteer workshop.

As part of the organising committee, Mrs Andre said she hoped that the public, especially the youth, would join with their fellow community members to lend a hand in improving their surroundings to make community life more agreeable.  

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