C-SHAW is the Community Service and Health Awareness program at UJ — connecting students with meaningful volunteer opportunities that transform both communities and careers.
What is C-SHAW
C-SHAW — Community Service and Health Awareness — is a student-led program operating across all four University of Johannesburg campuses. We bridge the gap between campus life and meaningful community engagement.
Founded to create structured volunteer opportunities, C-SHAW empowers students to log hours, earn recognition, and develop real-world skills while giving back. Every event, every hour, every student makes a measurable difference.
Every initiative is designed with community impact at its core — not just student hours.
Campaigns that educate students and surrounding communities year-round.
Students log every hour digitally. No more paper sign-in sheets.
Top volunteers earn badges and certificates that carry weight on CVs.
Knowledge Hub
Select a topic to learn more about C-SHAW, our history, and how we operate.
C-SHAW History
C-SHAW — Community Service and Health Awareness — was established at the University of Johannesburg to create a structured platform for students who wanted to give back but lacked a coordinated channel to do so.
What started as a small initiative on one campus quickly expanded across all four UJ campuses: APK, APB, SWC, and DFC. Each campus has its own executive team but they all operate under one shared mission: community before self.
Structure & Governance
Each campus is run by an executive team of five: a Chairperson, Deputy Chairperson, Training Officer, Campaigns Officer, and Secretary. Executives serve a one-year term and are responsible for organising events, managing volunteers, and maintaining community partnerships.
The portal digitises everything — from event creation and RSVP management to attendance tracking and automated reporting — making C-SHAW one of the most tech-forward volunteer programs in the country.
Why Volunteer
Research consistently shows that students who volunteer regularly develop stronger leadership skills, greater empathy, and higher employability rates. C-SHAW gives you the structure to make those hours count.
Every verified hour is logged on your profile and contributes toward recognition awards. These carry real weight — employers love seeing initiative and community engagement on a CV.
Health Awareness
Health awareness is at the core of C-SHAW's mission. Throughout the year, campuses run campaigns covering HIV/AIDS awareness, mental health destigmatisation, nutrition, substance abuse prevention, and sexual health education.
These campaigns involve workshops, information stalls, peer educator sessions, and community outreach — all coordinated by the campus Campaigns Officers and student volunteers.
Join Us
Getting involved is simple. Register as a student on the portal, browse upcoming events on your campus, and RSVP. Show up, contribute, and your hours are automatically logged.
No experience required — just a willingness to show up. Whether you have two hours or twenty, every contribution matters and every hour is tracked and recognised.
Awards System
C-SHAW runs a tiered recognition system. As you accumulate volunteer hours, you unlock badges: Newcomer, Active Volunteer, Peer Educator, Campus Champion, and the prestigious Top Volunteer award.
At the end of each academic year, top volunteers are formally recognised at an awards ceremony and receive certificates that can be attached to their academic transcripts.
Who we are
Meet the executive teams driving the vision across all campuses.
Memories
A visual journal of every event, campaign, and moment that made C-SHAW what it is.
Our Vision
C-SHAW is building a generation of graduates who understand that leadership isn't just about ambition — it's about service. Every hour logged is a step toward that future.
We believe that the most meaningful university experiences happen outside the lecture hall. C-SHAW is your invitation to step out, show up, and be part of something bigger than yourself.
Whether you are joining as a first-year looking to build your CV, or a final-year wanting to leave a legacy — there is a place for you in C-SHAW.