Volunteers’ Week Spotlight: Fasih and Act4Africa at the University of Reading 

Monday 1 June to Sunday 7 June 2026 marked Volunteers’ Week, a celebration of the incredible contributions volunteers make to charities, communities, and causes across the UK. 

At Act4Africa, we are fortunate to have many dedicated and passionate volunteers who give their time, skills, and enthusiasm to support our work. Without them, we would not be able to deliver life-changing opportunities and support to women and children in Uganda. 

To celebrate Volunteers’ Week, we wanted to shine a spotlight on one of our volunteers – Fasih. 

Fasih is one of our Student Ambassadors at the University of Reading and currently serves as President of the Act4Africa Society there. We spoke to him about his volunteering journey with Act4Africa and why volunteering matters. 

A Personal Connection 

Fasih’s journey with Act4Africa began when he spotted a volunteer recruitment poster at the Students’ Union. However, his motivation to get involved was a personal one.  

Having previously lived in Uganda, Fasih developed a strong connection to the country and its people. “My time there was nothing short of incredible,” he says. “The people I met and the experiences I had are memories that I value greatly. Volunteering with Act4Africa felt like an opportunity to give something back to a community that once welcomed me and that I was proud to call home.” 

His experiences in Uganda also gave him a firsthand understanding of the challenges many communities face. He recalls being inspired by the resilience and determination he witnessed, particularly those who would walk long distances into central Kampala before sunrise to reach work. 

“Hearing people’s stories and witnessing the challenges many faced gave me a perspective that I don’t think I would have gained otherwise,” he reflects. “Those experiences helped me understand why organisations like Act4Africa are so important, and they motivated me to play a small part in supporting that mission.” 

Leading Change on Campus  

As the current President of the Act4Africa society at the University of Reading, his volunteering role involves working alongside the committee to organise fundraising initiatives, awareness campaigns, outreach, and events. 

“When we first started, much of our focus was on introducing the charity to students and establishing a presence on campus,” he explains. “Now that we’re more established, we’re focused on organising events, building partnerships, raising awareness about the issues Act4Africa addresses, and encouraging students to get involved. Our goal is always to keep the charity’s mission visible and relevant.” 

Over the past year, the committee has grown from just two student ambassadors to a recognised Students’ Union group supported by a growing team of volunteers. 

Together, they have organised bake sales, charity football tournaments, potluck events, awareness campaigns, and most recently, a charity fight night in collaboration with the university’s Kickboxing Society, where £400 was raised in just one evening. They have also represented Act4Africa at Freshers’ Fairs and regional events for international students, introducing the charity’s mission to students from across the world.  

The Reward of Volunteering 

For Fasih, one of the most rewarding aspects of volunteering is witnessing the generosity and kindness of others. 

“It’s always encouraging when people take the time to learn about the charity’s mission, but it’s even more inspiring when they actively choose to support it,” he says.  

The recent collaboration with the Kickboxing Society raised hundreds in just one evening. For Fasih, moments like these demonstrate how willing people are to contribute when they believe in a cause.  

He also values opportunities to showcase the impact of Act4Africa’s work. One particularly memorable experience involved sharing giraffe keychains made by women supported through the charity’s projects. 

“Being able to show students something created directly by those benefiting from the charity’s work helped connect our fundraising efforts to real people and real outcomes.” 

Why Volunteering Matters.  

Everyone has the ability to make a positive difference, and collective action can have a powerful impact, particularly for the women and children Act4Africa supports.  

Fasih believes that one of the most important things about volunteering is that anyone can get involved. 

He explains that people are often surprised that he leads an Act4Africa society despite not being African himself. However, that is exactly the point. 

“You don’t need a direct personal connection to care about an issue. You don’t need to come from a particular country or background to want to help.” 

Beyond creating positive change, Fasih highlights the personal benefits of volunteering, including developing new skills, meeting people from different backgrounds, gaining valuable experience, and broadening your perspective. 

“Volunteering allows you to see the world from different perspectives and better understand challenges that may otherwise go unnoticed.”  

For anyone considering getting involved, his message is simple: if you’re passionate about making a difference, learning about global issues, and creating meaningful change, volunteering is a rewarding way to make an impact – and Act4Africa is a great place to start. 

Thank you to our Volunteers  

During Volunteers’ Week, we want to celebrate the hard work, commitment, and generosity of all our volunteers. People like Fasih make a genuine difference to our work, and we simply couldn’t do it without them. 

To every Act4Africa volunteer – past and present – and to volunteers everywhere, thank you. Your time, dedication, and compassion help create lasting change in the lives of others. 

If you would like to dedicate your time, passion, and enthusiasm to a cause that truly makes a difference, we’d love to hear from you.