Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2005. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies - April 6, 2005
Tapiwa Gomo in Harare
"It's the passion to serve human life that keeps me going," says Joseph.
He thinks the experience he has accrued during all those years should not just go to waste, but should be passed on to a new generation of volunteers so that the Red Cross remains strong.
"I joined the Red Cross in May 1972, when I was just 20 years old. I got my first First Aid certificate in June the same year," he recalls.
At that time, the country was being rocked by conflict
After seeing many people dying due to lack of simple aid, Joseph could not resist the urge to save human life through First Aid.
He later joined the Highfields branch in Harare which was comprised mainly of teachers from local schools.
"During the war, it was a big challenge for most of us, as racism was very high among the black and white communities in the country. Yet the group of volunteers we worked with was a mixed group," he recounts.
"This is when I realized that the seven fundamental principles are no joke at all and until today I still believe in them. We assisted everyone during the war, regardless of race and it was a trying situation."
"Since then Red Cross is like a church to me. I believe in it because I have been through thick and thin," explains Joseph.
He adds that, although many people are surprised to hear that we offer our services for free, they only realize the importance of what we do when they are affected by disasters.
In the early 1970s and 80s, Joseph and his Red Cross colleagues were deployed in public gatherings, especially national events, to offer First Aid services whenever needed.
By that time, Joseph was an ambulance driver. "We were always ready to go and help anytime of the day or night."
Joseph, a father of three girls and a boy, has seen his country pass through many different crises in the past three decades: the war of independence, severe droughts, disease outbreaks, and more recently floods and HIV and AIDS, which has become a major disaster in Zimbabwe.
"I have seen a lot as I was growing up. From gunshots wounds, road accident victims, bodies emaciated by hunger, drowning people during floods and those affected by HIV and AIDS. This environment is changing rapidly," admits Joseph.
The floods caused by Cyclone Eline in 2000 are still fresh in his mind as he nearly lost his own life while trying to rescue a child. "I lost control of the vehicle I was driving in an attempt to save a drowning child. I could not imagine seeing that child dying in front me and I had to do everything possible to save him," explains Joseph, who managed to save both his life and that of the child.
"After the floods, we mobilized other volunteers to seek donations from the private sector and well-wishers to assist the affected families. It was not easy considering the country was going through a difficult period and not many people were willing to give. I was happy that at least we were able get clothes and food for the affected families, whilst waiting for the bigger donations to come from donors," he says.
Joseph is now a member of the HIV and AIDS prevention group in his area. "HIV and AIDS is huge challenge, but we still need to emphasize prevention more to young children," advises Joseph.
"The problem we had in the first place was that many men were not interested in HIV and AIDS programmes because they thought it was for women. We are now seeing many men joining programmes such as home-based care to support the efforts of the Red Cross in reducing the suffering of the affected people."
But what does it take for one to be a volunteer for such a long time and still remain a member even, when some people of his age are contemplating retiring?
"To be a good volunteer one needs to be sympathetic to others, regardless of who they are and who you are. Put human life ahead of everything else. In the Red Cross, I have learnt that everyone is equal and people should be treated in an equal manner. The seven fundamental principles are like commandments because I have seen it being practice during the war where neutrality, impartiality, universality, unity, humanity, voluntary service and independence mattered most."
He pledged that for as long as he is still fit enough to work, he will always make his service available to the Red Cross as he feels that Red Cross is his second home.
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