At the Service of Community Development: The Professionalization of Volunteer Work in Kenya and Tanzania. (1st September 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Brown, Hannah; Green, Maia
• Is Part Of: African studies review. Volume 58:Number 2(2015:Aug.)
• Page Start: 63
• Page End: 84
• Publication Date: 2015-09-01
• Subjects: African philology -- Periodicals; Africa -- Periodicals; 960.05
• DOI: 10.1017/asr.2015.38
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0002-0206

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="normal"> <title>Abstract:</title> <p>This article explores the changing nature of the "volunteer" as an official role within health and development interventions in East Africa. Contemporary development interventions require the engagement of volunteers to act as links between project and community. This role is increasingly professionalized within development architectures with implications for the kinds of people who can engage in volunteering opportunities. Volunteers in development interventions are likely to be drawn from public sector staff and from educated youth seeking access to positions of paid employment. Volunteering as a formal status within the organization of development programs is recognized as a kind of professional work by those seeking to engage with development organizations. Volunteers perform important work in linking development programs with beneficiaries. At the same time, volunteering provides opportunities for personal transformation.</p> </abstract>