They came from different parts of the world, and from different nooks of Lesotho. Their age, cultural background and academic qualifications were varied. But they all had one thing in common: the spirit of volunteerism.

On 5 December, over one hundred international and local volunteers gathered at the Mohlomi Hospital to celebrate International Volunteer Day 2009. This year’s theme was 'Volunteering for Our Planet'.

The volunteers started with a march to the hospital with placards bearing messages of volunteerism, volunteering for the planet and taking care of the environment. The aim of the event was to inspire people to act now for the environment.

The hospital ground, packed with people, saw different volunteer organizations, international and local cleaning the hospital grounds, collecting garbage, removing rubbish and cutting the grass. The patients and staff of the hospital joined the volunteers in all the activities. They ended activities of the day by planting flowers at the main entrance of the hospital.

The UN Resident Coordinator a.i., Mr. Bhim Udas, the hospital Administrator and the Chief of Lithabaneng delivered speeches on the occasion. The Administrator and the Chief of Lithabanebg thanked the volunteers for showing interest in the hospital and the patients of Mohlomi Hospital and celebrating IVD with them. A representative of the patients read a speech to thank everybody who came.

The patients entertained their guests with song and dance. Afterwards, the volunteers gave gifts of toiletries, cleaning materials and clothing to the patients and the hospital. The event finished of with patients and volunteers sharing a meal.

Mohlomi Hospital is situated in the outskirts of Maseru City, and caters for over 40 mental patients from all over Lesotho.

The UN General Assembly established International Volunteer Day (IVD) in 1985 to make visible the vast contributions of volunteers to economic and social development globally.  IVD is celebrated worldwide on December 5 and is a wonderful opportunity to recognize the contribution of volunteers worldwide.

Contact the UNV Programme Office

You can call us at 2231 3790, ext.326 (Orfhlaith Ramsey) and ext.327 (Ntsieli Tlahali). We are based in UNDP at UN House, United Nations Road, PO Box 301, Maseru 100. For email, write to momoh.jimmy@undp.org  and Ntsieli.Tlahali@undp.org . We look forward to hearing from you.