Happy Holidays from NABUUR

Dear all,

As we enter the holiday season and the year comes to a close, we’d like to wish you and your loved ones a joyous and peaceful holiday.

The past year has not been the easiest year in NABUURs history. At the beginning of 2010 we knew we had a difficult job ahead: changing NABUUR from a staff-run organisation to a fully volunteer run community. We’ve had to overcome a lot of difficulties, but at the end of the year we’re still together as a group of people who share the same purpose: putting their skills to use where they really matter.

Many thanks go to each one of you for all that you have contributed in this past year: by checking in regularly to see how things are going, by helping communities move forward, getting in touch with new volunteers, and in numerous other ways - Thank you so much!

It’s this sense of community that makes NABUUR work, and it shows:

• As a community, we’re now developing a new strategy for NABUUR, starting at the basis: by redefining NABUUR’s mission and vision, and taking a good look at what needs to be preserved or changed.
• For the occasion of International Volunteer Day, Local Representatives gathered some inspiring stories showing the impact of NABUUR volunteers.
• Last but not least, NABUUR facilitator Maria Zandt was awarded the “Online Volunteering Award 2010” by the United Nations Volunteers Programme, in recognition of her work with the community of Wakitaka, Uganda.

These kind of inspiring examples keep us focused and hopefully mark the beginning of a new and successful period for NABUUR.

Happy holidays, everyone!

On behalf of the NABUUR board and governance team,

Pelle Aardema