
An education can’t wait. Every day counts.
An education is a fundamental human right. But many children – including Afghan refugees in Pakistan – are missing out on learning the skills they need to build a better life.
Please help bring more children like Najeeba* back into the classroom.
Creating lasting change by unlocking the power of people
At VSO we harness the skills and expertise of volunteers to deliver long lasting change. We put people first and empower them to be in the driving seat of their own development. Our volunteers work in collaboration with marginalised communities in every aspect of project design, delivery and evaluation, enabling the world's poorest communities to take charge of their own change.
Areas of work

Inclusive education
Making sure everyone gets the skills they need to live a fulfilled, dignified life.
We helped almost 3.6 million people to access the quality education they deserve using our current strategy.

Resilient livelihoods
Ensuring people have the skills needed to support themselves and their families.
Over 400,000 people benefited from our work supporting livelihoods using our current strategy.

Adolescent and youth health and wellbeing
Improving health services and empowering people to exercise their right to quality care.
We helped almost 200,000 people access better healthcare using our current strategy.

Empowering communities through partnership
Join healthcare leaders from across East Africa for the unmissable Regional Health Promotion Conference, taking place 18-19 March at the Safari Park Hotel, Nairobi.
Visit your local VSO website
Latest news
Hear stories from volunteers and communities and stay up-to-date with the latest VSO news.
Protecting the biodiversity of the East Tonlé Sap Lake through aquaculture
Aquaculture — the farming of aquatic organisms, such as eels, shellfish, and seaweed, in a controlled environment — is transforming the lives of people like Mr Em Phat, who are living on the East Tonlé Sap Lake in Cambodia.

Five things women achieved this year that you might not know about
This International Women's Day, join us in celebrating the resilience of women across the globe with some female achievements you might not have heard about.

Breaking barriers: Lamia's journey of volunteering, leadership, and gender equity
Bangladesh - Lamia Tasnim's volunteering journey began in 2018, and over the course of the last six years, her passion for supporting her community has only grown.
Our impact
Using our current strategy (2022-28), VSO has reached 24.8 million people, including over 20.6 million indirectly and nearly 4.2 million directly.
Nearly 3.6 million were reached through our education projects.
Over 400,000 people were reached through our resilient livelihoods programme.
Almost 200,000 people were reached through our health projects.
Volunteering with VSO
Make an impact by sharing your skills and experience with some of the most marginalised people in the world. Become a VSO volunteer.
More ways you can support VSO
- Support us with a donation
- Job opportunities at VSO
- Read Kin Magazine
- Partnerships
- Global volunteer network