The National Volunteer Service (NVS) was created by the Papua New Guinea Parliament in 1990. NVS aims to promote volunteerism as one of PNG’s strategies in delivering development to people in remote areas of the country.
There have been over 500 volunteers recruited and deployed in the rural communities of PNG since the inception of NVS and as each group completes a two year service, a new group of volunteers are recruited to sustain the program. This year, 2007, a group of thirty one volunteers have joined to serve in various community development projects throughout the country.
NVS also develops joint programs with other government departments, authorities and businesses. As well as this, NVS undertakes various training, including Cross Cultural Training for new overseas volunteers, community development training and other activities like Participatory Rural Appraisals in various communities.
NVS is particularly keen to develop its links with provincial governments through its Joint Placement Programs. To sustain its volunteer program, NVS goes into Joint Programs with other organisations, government and non-government. Many organisations find using volunteers through Joint Programs a cost effective way of delivering services in rural PNG. Currently NVS has joint programs underway or planned in fields including community health and HIV, literacy, sports, food, security, education, paralegal services, juvenile rehabilitation programs, water, transportation, women’s programs and youth and is looking to build more.
There are six managers including the Program Manager and Executive Director and eleven staff.
NVS carried out work throughout the country in 2006 in the following provinces; Madang, East Sepik, Morobe, Chimbu, Eastern Highlands, Enga, Western Highlands, Central Province, East New Britain, New Ireland and Western Province.
Aside from the ongoing recurrent program of 31 volunteer placements and series of cross cultural trainings NVS plans the following projects in 2007:
Supporting paralegal volunteers placed with the help of the Community Law and Justice Unit (CJLU).
An upcoming Joint Program with the United Nations (UN) recruiting volunteers working with HIV awareness in National Capital District, Central Province and Eastern Highlands
Placing volunteers in health clinics in Gaba Gaba, Tatana and Guniga in the Central Province
Upcoming planned Joint Programs with Transparency International
Developing NVS into an Authority for the volunteer sector in PNG through its Authority Amendment Act
Events for International Volunteer Day and a Corporate Dinner
The three biggest achievements the organisations has accomplished in 2006 was the recruitment and training of six volunteers for the Southern region, successfully setting up Joint Programs, including with the Sports Foundation, UN and CLJU and the hosting of the inaugural Corporate Dinner and inaugural Volunteer of the Year Award.
NVS anticipates achieving the following in 2008;
See NVS becoming an Authority through the passing of the Authority Amendment Act
Recruitment of more volunteers through further Joint Programs
More support of our work from donors and businesses, particularly through using the services like the Participatory Rural Appraisal and Cross Cultural Training.
NVS can be contacted on telephone number 325 3100, fax 325 8756
