2023 was a year marked by many successes for the SFV program. Thirty six coordinators from twelve countries globally applied the new knowledge and skills gained during SFV learning circles in delivering over thirty service projects. There are over 17 SFV clubs whose work positively impacted over 11,000 people in communities worldwide.
Activities conducted by SFV Coordinators and clubs in 2023 included:
1. Skills Development
· Local soap production training
· Agro input – sustainable farming skills training
· Reusable sanitary pads making training
· Clean cooking solutions training
2. Empowerment and Education
· Mental health, sexuality and self-esteem sessions for girls
· Youth empowerment and identity sessions
· Reproductive health education
· Education drive - setting up a community library
· Hygiene and sanitation training sessions (WASH sessions)
3. Environmental Sustainability
· Tree planting
· Climate education
· Clean-up drive
4. Agriculture and Livelihood
· Food drive (food donation)
· Agro input- seeds distribution
5. Community Health and Well-being
· Medical outreach programs
In addition, SFV coordinators and club members participated in various International events by volunteering in their local communities including World Cleanup Day, World Family Volunteering Day and International Day of the Girl Child.
During the SFV closing ceremony held in December 2023 in celebration of the collective journey throughout the year, participants shared how the initiative has been instrumental in shaping and positively transforming their family relationships, values education, and volunteer leadership. This included improved family bonds, increased community engagement and positive perceptions within their individual communities.
“Having shared values with my siblings has significantly improves how we relate. We spent more time together doing volunteer work which also helped us bond with other community members,” said Ashiqur Rahman, an SFV participant from Bangladesh.
“The relationships with my family member and neighbors have become better and stronger. We now understand that peace begins when we serve one another,” Christine Mweu from Kenya reflected of her one year journey as an SFV member.
“I have gained a deeper understanding and a greater passion for community peacebuilding initiatives from being a member of SFV,” shared Asikaralu Okafor from Nigeria.
Some of the values that the participants highlighted to have gained from engaging in acts of service throughout 2023 included, sharing, caring, teamwork, empathy, courage, kindness, love caring for the environment, gratitude, compassion, generosity, improved decision making and communication skills as well as social responsibility. Read more on our 2023 SFV projects.
