On International Volunteer Day, 5 December 2026, SENDathon invites you to become a trained volunteer for children with special educational needs. No experience required.
By: Soulution Nest Education Initiative | Tuesday, 3 November 2026.
Imagine a Saturday morning at a community event, music fills the air, crowds gather, and a seven-year-old boy stands frozen at the edge of it all, hands over his ears. His mother tries to stay calm as strangers glance their way.
Then a volunteer wearing a welcoming smile walks over, crouches to the boy’s level, and asks softly, “Would you like a quieter spot for a while?” She points to a shaded corner, finds a chair for his mum, and stays nearby. Nothing dramatic happened. But a stressful moment became a safe one, and a family felt welcome instead of watched.
“That is what a trained volunteer does, and in 31 days, we want to train an army of them.”
Every child learns best when they feel safe, seen and supported. For children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities, that support often depends on the adults and young people around them. But so do the neighbours, youth leaders, event helpers and community members who know how to welcome a child well.
A date with meaning:
On Saturday, 5 December 2026, Soulution Nest Education Initiative will hold SENDathon™ Walk for Belonging at Community Secondary School, off Maitama Sule Street, Asokoro, Abuja. We chose the date deliberately. It is International Volunteer Day, the day the world honours people who give their time for others.
This year’s theme is “See the Child First.” It asks every one of us to notice a child’s strengths, curiosity, and potential before we notice a label.
Good intentions need a little preparation:
Most people want to help. The gap between wanting to include a child and knowing how is small, but it matters. Some children need extra time. Some need a quieter space or a different way to communicate. A well-meaning volunteer who doesn’t know this can leave a family feeling more excluded, not less.
Training closes that gap. It doesn’t turn you into an expert. It gives you confidence, patience, and a handful of habits that protect a child’s dignity.
What you’ll learn
Our volunteer briefing is practical and built around real moments. You will practice:
- Seeing the child first: Notice what a child enjoys and does well, and talk about children with strengths-first words.
- Communicating with care: Speak slowly, give one instruction at a time, offer choices, and wait patiently for a reply.
- Responding to an overwhelmed child: Crowds, noise and bright spaces can be hard. You’ll learn to stay calm, give space and involve the parent or caregiver.
- Keeping children safe: Learn the basics of safeguarding, how to raise a concern, and why no child is left alone with an adult they don’t know.
- Protecting privacy: Always ask a family before taking or sharing a child’s photo or story. Dignity comes first, and sharing only content you have permission to use also keeps you in line with the Nigerian Copyright Commission‘s guidance.
- Knowing who to call: You will always know your team lead and how to reach first aiders and the organising team quickly.
You won’t be on your own. Every volunteer works in a team with clear roles, and trained team leads are on hand throughout the day.
“But I’ve never done this before”
Good. Neither had most of our volunteers when they started. You don’t need a teaching degree, a medical background, or experience with special needs. You need a caring heart and a willingness to learn.
You will also gain something. You’ll leave with practical skills in communication and teamwork, a new way of seeing children, and the knowledge that you made a real difference to a family on a day that mattered. Many volunteers carry what they learn back to their homes, schools and places of worship, so one briefing reaches far beyond one event.
Be one of the first to say yes:
Inclusion isn’t built by one organisation. It is built by communities that choose to show up, ready and trained, for every child.
We are building an army of volunteers for every learner, and we would love you in it.
Will you be one of them? Let’s see the child first.
Know someone who would be a great volunteer? Share this post and tag them.
Not able to volunteer? You can still take part. Register as a Walker or Vendor, donate, or invite your friends, your school, or your workplace to join.
