This is a detailed guide on the best CDS group to join as a corps member.
National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) is integrated with different programs and Community Development Service is one of the programs.
Community Development Service (CDS) is one of the most essential and mandatory programs corps members are expected to participate in during their one-year NYSC program.
This program enables corps members to contribute positively to the growth of their host community.
Moreover, there are numerous Community Development Service groups, but this article will let you know the best NYSC CDS groups to join as a corps member for optimum functionality.
About Community Development Service (CDS)
Community Development Service (CDS) is a year-round experience. Through this program members of the NYSC work with the host communities for the growth of the communities.
They do this by creating and executing development projects that impact positively on the socio-economic development of the host communities.
Community Development Service is one of the four important programs of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
This program is compulsory for all corps members, however, corps members are not permitted to use their money to execute the intended projects in their host communities.
Their main responsibility is to identify the core needs of the host communities, come up with a reliable plan on how to meet them, and sought funds from people or organizations.
Community Development Service was not created to help only the host communities through corps members but also for corps members to have a sense of responsibility towards one another and contribute to nation-building.
Many corps members would agree that they discovered their skills, and creativity while they were serving and contributing positively to the development and betterment of their host communities.
Corps members belong to different CDS groups, and these groups are expected to meet and discuss once every week.
Furthermore, the Community Development Service is divided into Group Community Development Service and Personal/Individual Community Development services.
Group CDS is the type where corps members come together to plan and execute projects. This type of CDS is compulsory for all corps members and failure to participate will lead to appropriate sanction(s) according to NYSC bye-law.
Personal/Individual Community Development Service is the type of CDS where a corps member recognizes the need of the people of the host community and come up with a plan to meet them.
This type of CDS is not compulsory, however, corps members who carry out these projects are always rewarded if they are groundbreaking.
Importance Of Community Service Development
Community Service Development is a program that benefits both the corps members and the host communities, it is not one-sided. Moreover below is the importance of Community Service Development.
1. It helps in the development of rural areas where corps members are posted to.
2. It enables people to exercise their rights and duties.
3. It gives people access to resources that can lead to the betterment of their lives.
4. It makes people realize the power of local organizations and teamwork.
5. It makes people unite, plan and contribute to the betterment of society.
6. It makes the corps members experience the diverse traditions and customs of the host communities.
7. It provides an opportunity for corps members to think, come up with innovative ideas, and execute them.
8. It helps bring together the numerous talents and skills of corps members to bring about positive change in rural communities.
9. It exposes corps members to different entrepreneurial opportunities
10. It enables corps members to exercise leadership, dignity, perseverance, selflessness, and love for one another despite cultural differences.
Best NYSC CDS Groups To Join As A Corps Member
The CDS group you will join during your service years is dependent on the area you would be posted to, that is to say, you do not totally have control of the CDS group you would join.
However, if the CDS group you are asked to join does not resonate with your interest and dreams, you can meet your local government inspector, discuss with the person, and get posted somewhere else.
Moreover, there are many NYSC CDS groups but below are the best NYSC CDS groups to join as a corps member.
1. Drug-Free And Quality Control Group
This group is also known as the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency CDS group.
The group educates members of the host communities on the danger of drug abuse and self-medication and encourages people to seek proper health care when they are sick and use only drugs prescribed by doctors.
This group also campaigns for the eradication of fake and contaminated food and drugs and establishes drug clubs in schools to further educate students on the danger of drug abuse.
This is one of the best NYSC CDS groups to join as a corps member because the corps members in this group not only sensitize the people but are also enlightened as well.
2. Anti-Corruption Group
This is one of the best NYSC CDS groups to join as a corps member.
This CDS group educates the members of the host community on the danger of crime and corruption and the need to stop dishonest and negative behavior.
They establish Anti Corruption Corps in schools and encourage members to educate their peers and relatives on the danger and consequences of crime and advise them to stop illegal businesses.
Members of this CDS group do not just create awareness but also learn greatly because as they speak to the people, they are also speaking to themselves.
3. Medical And Health Services Group
This CDS group is important to those who studied health-related courses. Members of this CDS group provide and promote health-related services to members of their host communities.
Members of this group are expected to promote and provide medical services, organize health outreach, administer First Aid, sensitize people on the need to receive proper health care, etc.
This CDS group is one of the best NYSC CDS groups to join as a corps member, you will not only teach others but expand your knowledge of medical and health services.
4. Charity And Gender Equality Group
This is one of the best NYSC CDS groups to join as a corps member.
Corps members in this group reach out to the public, especially the less privileged by donating materials and money for their survival.
They also educate members of the community on the importance of giving both boy and girl children equal opportunities to aspiring in society.
Members of this CDS group visit orphanages and prisons, encourage the people, and also support them financially and materially.
Members of this group also organize skills acquisition training for members of the community so they can help themselves.
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5. Environmental Protection And Sanitation Group
Members of this CDS group carry out sanitation in the community and ensure they provide a clean and healthy environment suitable for living.
Corps members in this group not only dedicate themselves to cleaning the community but also educate members of the community on the need to keep their environment clean.
They also help to control erosion, drainage, and pollution and they also encourage afforestation, sanitation, and landscaping.
6. Road Safety Group
This is one of the best NYSC CDS groups to join as a corps member as it lay emphasis on human life.
Members of this CDS group educate the public on the need to observe traffic rules and drive safely to avoid accidents; they ensure public safety on the roads.
They render first aid treatment to accident victims and establish road safety clubs in school; to better educate the students.
Corps members in this group also make it their responsibility to control traffic lights.
7. Disaster Management Group(NEMA)
This CDS group is one of the best NYSC CDS groups to join as a corps member.
Members of this group educate the public on how to manage disasters through the Corps Emergency vanguard.
They also create an emergency vanguard in schools to help young students know how to manage disasters when they experience them.
8. Reproductive Health And HIV/AIDS Groups
Corps members in this group educate members of the host community about their reproductive health, HIV/AIDS virus control and prevention, and the danger of having unprotected premarital sex.
They sensitize students on the need to abstain from premarital sex to prevent themselves from contracting HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases.
Members of this group also establish HIV/AIDS clubs in schools to enable students to learn more about the virus and educate their peers and family members about it.
9. Education Development Group
This Community Development Service group is one of the best NYSC CDS groups to join as a corps member.
This group emphasizes the need for a standard of education in the host community and creates awareness of the need to get an education.
Members of this group encourage members of the community, both children and adults, to get primary education.
They also organize career guidance and counseling for students, adult classes, and extramural classes for children to help promote learning.
Members of this CDS group campaign against illiteracy and organizes inter-school activities to encourage children to learn more.
10. SPORTS CDS Group
This Community Development Service group is one of the best NYSC CDS groups to join as a corps member.
The purpose of this group is for corps members to have a healthy relationship with the members of the host communities.
Members of this group organize football tournaments and compete with members of the community.
This CDS group also makes corps members and members of the community identify talents they thought they did not have.
Corps members also train interested members of the community and also establish football clubs in schools to enable students to practice.
Unfortunately, some of these Community Development Service groups might not be found in the states or the local government you are posted to.
Apart from these ten best NYSC CDS groups, there are other good ones which are:
1. Cultural and Tourism group
2. Millenium Development Goals (MDGs) CDS group
3. Service Delivery CDS group
4. Editorial/Publicity CDS group
5. Agro-Allied CDS Group
6. Corps Legal Aid Group (CLAG)
7. Red Cross CDS
That is all on the best NYSC CDS groups to join as a corps member, I hope it helps you.