Ayodeji Sunday Abel. Voluntary work among immigrants in Helsinki, The roles of Africans and African-Europeans Association (AFAES RY). Langauge: English. Spring 2013. 52 pages. 3 appendixes. Diaconia University of Applied Sciences. Degree: Programme in Social Services. Bachelor of Social Services.

This study talks about the roles of AFAES as a civil association that gives immigrants residing in Helsinki various opportunities to participate in voluntary work. It also looks at the activities of AFAES considering the impact it makes on the integration of immigrants in Helsinki. Questionnaire distribution and personal interviews were the methodological tools used in this qualitative study. A total of 8 people were interviewed, of which 6 were immigrants selected randomly and the remaining 2 were executives of AFAES.

The interviewees were from different cultural background but they all reside in Helsinki. The active participatory method of operation and the bottom top approach used in AFAES were considered through this study. The findings of the study show the effects of voluntary activities in the integration process of the immigrants in Helsinki. The findings also revealed that, the organization is made up of mostly immigrants; most of the members of the association are from different immigrant background. The study further revealed that the Finnish government, through various ministries encourages the integration of immigrants by making policies that would enhance their immigration process.