About SVA
A MOVEMENT FOR VOLUNTEERING
On the 4th of September 2010, Christchurch was struck with a 7.1 magnitude earthquake.
In response to this natural disaster, University of Canterbury student Sam Johnson created a Facebook group called the ‘Student Base for Earthquake Clean Up’ to assist local residents with non life-saving tasks.
Sam and leaders of several UC clubs joined and together formed the ‘Student Volunteer Army’ as a collective movement of 11,000 people to help clean up the city.
Student Volunteer Army was formed as a charitable trust which has been continually led by a student executive and guided by a board of trustees.
The organisation is now active in primary schools, secondary schools, and universities in Australia and Aotearoa, helping young people learn the skills of being a volunteer. SVA mobilises volunteers of all ages from all walks of life to respond to crises, helping the public get through difficult times.
What is the SVA Service Award?
The SVA Service Award is a platform where secondary school students log and reflect on their volunteering hours.
The students are working towards Member, Bronze, Silver, and Gold badges to acknowledge the awesome mahi that they do in their community, whether it be their school, family or neighbourhood.

SVA Research Report

Mobilising action towards the 17 Global Goals
For the first time in history, there is a globally agreed list of priorities that are called the Sustainable Development Goals or Global Goals. Each goal relies on actions of volunteers, and calls for long-term attitude and behaviour changes - for example, in the way we waste food or pollute the ocean with plastic.
Service Award students work towards Sustainable Development Goals of their choice and reflect on the impact that their takoha is having.
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― Dr Syed Muhammad Zeeshan Hussain Almashhadi
