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When you Google “volunteers” you automatically get another word added to your text: needed.

Oxfam’s vision is a just world without poverty. But more than that – we envision a world in which people can influence decisions which affect their lives, enjoy their rights, and assume their responsibilities as full citizens of a world in which all human beings are valued and treated equally. We can’t do this alone.

Oxfam volunteers work every day for social change. This difficult and unselfish work involves campaigning to change unjust policies that perpetuate extreme inequality, unequal access to food, or climate change. It involves fundraising, organizing events, inspiring people to take action, answering telephones, and anything else you can imagine that helps bring our message to the public and deliver our programs.

Being a volunteer with Oxfam gives you power to make change in your community – and it also ensures that people living in poverty are given the power and the resources they need to enjoy their rights and become self-sustaining.

Oxfam volunteers have a strong sense of urgency to make this world a more sustainable and equitable one for now and for always. Their work is far from easy, as together we confront increasing inequality across the world that requires us more than ever to come together so collectively we can chart a new course to a fairer world.

At Oxfam, our volunteers are a constant reminder of the generosity and courageousness that exists in this world. We are deeply grateful to all of you who have joined us in this work. We know it’s not easy. But we also know that you’ve met some of the most important people in your lives doing this work and that you’ve had some of the most meaningful experiences doing this work. You’ve been there when we’ve seen change happen. Because of the power of people we saw the world create an Arms Trade Treaty and the biggest food and beverage companies commit to empowering women farmers.

We want to thank each and every one of you – our volunteers – for the contribution you’ve made to changing this world. Whether you signed a petition, collected 1000 signatures for a petition, helped at one event or come out to Oxfam group meetings every week, you’re a part of this network, this family, working to build a better, more just world.

Miriam, Kelly, Amanda and the campaigns team

Volunteer with Oxfam: //www.oxfam.ca/get-involved/volunteer
Meet Oxfam Volunteers: //www.oxfam.ca/get-involved/volunteer/profiles
Support Oxfam’s Work: //www.oxfam.ca/donate

Oxfam donors offer letters of support in honour of the courageous women
we work with around the world.

Defere is a schoolgirl in Ethiopia.

Farida is a mother in Mozambique.

Maria is a grandmother in Nicaragua.

They’ve all been touched by the generosity of Oxfam’s supporters.

Defere Zegeye is a Grade-9 student at Mandura Secondary School in Ethiopia. With donor support Oxfam Canada funds  a school program that allows Defere and other girls to continue their education. The program run by our partner, the Forum for African Women Educationalists, offers a full year of education. Defere gets a school uniform and a new pair of shoes. She also receives 20 exercise books, 10 pens, 10 pencils, 2 mathematical instrument sets and a stipend of $12 a month.

Many families in Ethiopia have limited funds and often there is little or no money for girls’ education. But donations from our donors give girls like Defere the opportunity of a lifetime.

Farida Maene is a mother in Mozambique who dreamed of a better life for her family and herself. But with five children to take care of and no time for anything else, she felt trapped and she fell into what she calls “a bottomless sadness”. Then, Farida joined the horticultural association of Nhacolo, where she learned to grow and sell vegetables and much more. Today, at forty years old, Farida is a small-hold farmer and she has learned to read and write too.

Maria Flores is in her late sixties; She is a farmer and community leader in Nindirí, Nicaragua. For the past twelve years, Maria has also been associated with the National Federation of Agricultural Cooperatives (FENACOOP), an Oxfam partner. The co-op Maria belongs to helps her and other women with credit, financing, technical assistance and legal help. Maria and the other members of the co-op grow food for themselves, using sustainable farming practices, and sell their surplus at the nearby Masaya market.

Along with their financial support, Oxfam’s donors often write notes of encouragement and support in honour of the courageous women and men we workl with around the world. here are just a few of their letters:

Letters of support

Volunteers are active in Oxfam's campaigns, organizing fundraising and raising awareness in their communities. Here are some Oxfam members who make a difference by volunteering.

"I first joined Oxfam as a member of my campus group in 2011 where I got the opportunity to attend my first National Youth CHANGE conference. I met so many incredible people – other students like myself – who wanted to talk about issues like sustainability and women’s rights and find innovative ways to bring those conversations to campuses. Needless to say, the experience was amazing and my involvement with Oxfam skyrocketed from there.

"I’ve since helped to plan two more Oxfam conferences (one regionally in Ontario and another nationally), and have organized and coordinated GROW campaign campus group actions. Campus groups have been steadily becoming more connected with one another and working in solidarity. It’s really exciting to see how youth are engaging with Oxfam in new ways and innovating how we work together. That’s definitely the one aspect of Oxfam I love most: the fact that each member has a voice and the ability to share it. Every CHANGE is coordinated by youth for other youth, as are many of our actions. There’s a lot of support for us to share our ideas and have a voice on what our role as Oxfammers is.

"I think it’s great that Oxfam not only makes informed decisions about their policy work and development but also creates spaces for their membership to inform and be informed about their role as advocates for what Oxfam works towards.

"Beyond being an avid member of the campus group community, I’m also the current Chair of Ontario’s Regional Steering Committee where I’ve had the chance to see what it’s like to be a part of Oxfam beyond youth programming. I’ve continued to meet a lot of great people who make up this organization and also support the values of open dialogue and innovative ideas to engage even more people. Moreover, there’s ample opportunity to expand my understanding of how Oxfam organizationally functions and how I, as a member, fit in.

"I suppose that’s the best part: Oxfam doesn’t feel like a huge international organization that I’m just volunteering for or donating to. Rather, it’s a community I am a part of, and that’s full of people I have conversations with. From other campus group members to board members to staff, we all work together and share our ideas to move Oxfam forward. So I’m not just a member of Oxfam; I’m an Oxfammer. And I really appreciate that Oxfam fosters that kind of connection amongst its membership."

Manjot Bining, Ontario

Volunteers are active in Oxfam's campaigns, organizing fundraising and raising awareness in their communities. Here are some Oxfam members who make a difference by volunteering.

"What first drew me to Oxfam was its passion for social justice along with its dedication and hard work in providing access to clean and safe drinking water to those affected by natural disasters.

"My volunteering with Oxfam Canada began on campus in 2007 when I was an undergraduate student at the University of Regina. Since then, my involvement has expanded to the Prairie Regional Steering Committee in late 2007 where I have worn many hats including interim committee Chair, the Regional Youth Liaison, as a representative of the Regina community, and as a member at large.

"My most rewarding experience with the Regional Steering Committee has been providing regional support throughout various staffing changes over the years. This work showed me how adaptable, fluid and supportive Oxfam Canada is to both the region and its members.

"Throughout my involvement with the Regional Steering Committee, I have seen the work, dedication and commitment that Oxfam Canada has made towards ending global poverty grow throughout its campaigns over the years. I believe 100 per cent that Oxfam Canada will achieve their goal of ending global poverty by promoting women’s rights, and I intend on being with them every step of the way."

Laurie Langhorne, Prairies

Volunteers are active in Oxfam's campaigns, organizing fundraising and raising awareness in their communities. Here are some Oxfam members who make a difference by volunteering.

"I am very grateful to have had the chance to be part of a group of passionate and dedicated students in the Oxfam at Memorial University (MUN) chapter for the past two years. I am inspired by what we have achieved working and learning together. I have learned so much and I have grown immensely as an activist for social justice.

"I particularly enjoyed organizing and leading a symposium on international development issues, attending the Atlantic Regional Youth CHANGE Summit, being a part of a national action to stop land grabs, and learning about Oxfam’s campaigns together with the members of Oxfam at MUN.

"I am drawn to Oxfam because of its focus on multiple interconnected issues with an emphasis on gender equality. I am inspired by Oxfam’s partnership approach; I think this aspect of Oxfam’s work distinguishes it as an organization."

Emma Langley, Atlantic Canada

Volunteers are active in Oxfam's campaigns, organizing fundraising and raising awareness in their communities. Here are some Oxfam members who make a difference by volunteering.

"In the past four years, I’ve had the most amazing opportunity to become involved on a local, regional and national level – planning events in my community, helping to facilitate my region’s annual youth Change conference, and helping to influence the organization’s structure as a member of the Membership and Volunteer Development Committee of the Board. These experiences have positively influenced my life, and I plan to continue my involvement with the organization moving forward.

"Oxfam’s focus on gender equality first attracted me to the organization. I also love that Oxfam supports partner organizations around the world, and works with them to find lasting solutions to poverty."

Dana Lipnicki, Maritimes