An exploratory qualitative study on the enabling factors of volunteerism: the perspective of BRAC volunteers and their family members in Cox’s Bazar District, Bangladesh

Abstract

Introduction: Volunteers have a vital role in the community. Their motivation to volunteer can influence other people to change their behavior. Especially in the time of the COVID-19 pandemic, volunteers assisted institutions to help deliver service. Similarly, the BRAC CST project is dealing with COVID-19 in 6 project sites in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh with the aid of volunteers. BRAC volunteers are disseminating COVID-19 messages and distributing masks in the community. The volunteers and their families have the relevant information to determine their perception, motivation, and experiences on volunteerism. This study aimed to understand enabling factors of volunteerism from BRAC volunteers and their family members' perspectives in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh.

Method: The study design used is a qualitative study. An in-depth interview was conducted with 10 BRAC volunteers and 4 family members in 3 BRAC CST project sites located in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. The purposive sampling method was used to select the samples. A semi-structured IDI guideline was developed along with a consent form. IDIs were recorded, transcribed, translated, coded, and analyzed thematically. Clustering and comparing were done by using a data matrix and the results were summarized. Data triangulation was done to verify the responses from the volunteers and family members. Ethical approval from BRAC University James P Grant School of Public Health Institutional Review Board was obtained. The study purpose, risks, benefits, and right to refuse and withdraw from the study were explained to the participants. Anonymity and confidentiality were maintained during the entire time of the study. o Findings: The study discovered that enabling factors on volunteerism contribute to volunteers’ positive experience in volunteer work. The volunteers' and family members’ perception of volunteerism was that it is noble work to do. Volunteers serve the people willing to improve their health which people find respectable. Representing a respectable institution such as BRAC gave the volunteers a sense of pride. Volunteers along with their family members enjoy volunteering activities as they experienced good interactions with the people. Gaining knowledge on COVID-19 prevention benefited the volunteers as well as their families as it enhanced their health practices. Volunteers also developed their communication skills in dealing with many people. The family supported and encouraged volunteers in joining and doing volunteer work. They are proud of their family member as the volunteer is doing a good deed for others. The supervisors were also supportive of the volunteer’s time in taking leaves for their schoolwork. Recognition in the community is also experienced by the volunteers. People’s participation facilitated the discussion that helped the volunteer convey COVID-19 messages in the community.

Conclusion: This study concluded that there were different factors of volunteerism. Each one was interconnected with the other that making volunteers motivated to do volunteering. Factors discovered where volunteer work is perceived as an honorable act, being proud to be part of a respectable institution, enjoying volunteering, experiencing benefits, acceptability, and support from the family, institution, and the community. These enabling factors identified made volunteer work on COVID-19 awareness feasible in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh.