Windhoek — The Namibia Planned Parenthood Association (NAPPA) is looking for volunteers to assist in its advocacy programmes.

NAPPA operates clinics where a wide range of family planning and HIV/AIDS services are provided. The association is a member of the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF).

NAPPA held an information-sharing session last Friday to provide information on the work of the association and to encourage people to join in its efforts.

The NAPPA Country Director, Sam Ntelamo, told New Era that the association places special emphasis on the recruitment of volunteers from the grassroots.

Volunteers will be tasked with the responsibility of sensitising communities on issues such as unsafe abortions, teenage pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases.

Volunteers with a background in areas such as finance, administration, health, education, public policy and media, amongst others, are especially welcome. "Without volunteers, there is no way that we can have a board," said Ntelamo.

Ntelamo in explaining the structure of the organisation said that, if for example, members were to be elected from the Khomas Region, they would become members of the branch executive committee. From the branch executive committee they could become board members.

From the board members, if they are fortunate, they could serve on the governing council of the International Planned Parenthood Federation, said Ntelamo.

NAPPA has branches in eight of the country's 13 regions and the eight cater for the other regions, where there are no branches, Ntelamo explained.

NAPPA has about 1 000 volunteers, however, more volunteers are needed, according to Ntelamo.