My name is Akeabeh Sandrine, a Corporate Communication postgraduate research fellow in the University of Buea, South West Region of Cameroon. I started my very first volunteering journey at Voice of Nature (VoNat) on May 13 2021, as a Communications Officer. My joining VoNat was motivated by the organization’s mission and strides in protecting the environments and saving lives with community kids and youths through media & arts, capacity building, livelihoods support, research and outreach, which perfectly align with my specialty, interest and dreams in life.
Just like any other person, my joining the organization was accompanied by a number of expectations. This included gaining of field and professional experience as a young journalist and corporate communication student, collaborating with other volunteers and the entire VoNat team to effectively carry out professional tasks and to be able to develop and write project ideas, and build a network. Close to 2 months down the lane, I am amazed by how much experience I have gathered. I have also gained new skills/techniques, and hands-on experience in event planning, drawing up of work plan and event coordination. My skills and knowledge in article writing and video editing have also improved greatly.
My active participation in activities to mark World Biodiversity Day, Endangered Species Day and World Environment remain a remarkable and an unforgettable experience. These events gave me a landmark experience at VoNat. Playing multiple roles at these events like Coordinator, Videographer etc. was challenging but quite fascinating. The organization recently launched the Green School Kids Initiative aimed at engaging community kids/youths in preferring solutions to the increasing global environmental challenges in the world, which I also see it as another great learning venture for me.
Apart from just receiving and mentoring volunteers in their respective fields of interest, VoNat also trains and empowers its team in different domains. They are currently planning a series of training sessions on article writing, fundraising, project communications and reporting, which I am very exciting about and looking forward to taking part in them.
Apart from field activities, mentorship and training, I really enjoyed interacting, gaining and sharing knowledge with other volunteers and management team of VoNat. We all have a good working relationship. We work as a team, share ideas and help one another in accomplishing professional tasks, as needs arise, irrespective of our professional orientations.
Though tough and pretty challenging giving that it is my first volunteering experience in an environmental non-profit organization, I think VoNat is an organization with a difference. Though I have achieved so much within such a short time, I think I still have a lot to acquire from VoNat and to contribute to its mission and vision. So, I look forward to spending more time with the Organization.