Meet the 2024 Volunteer Impact Award winners

Mukeh Jockim has played a key role in enrolling children with disabilities in school, using a tool to help caregivers assess these children during enrolment. He trained caregivers and teachers in inclusive teaching methods, significantly increasing enrolment at early childhood education centres and primary schools. 

To encourage retention, Jockim supported the creation of school kitchen gardens to improve nutrition and launched a savings and loans program for parents, promoting financial literacy and challenging disability stereotypes.  

He also engaged male champions to shift views on fatherhood and reduce gender-based violence. His efforts, including tree planting and adaptable learning materials, have created lasting change.  

Jockim is a strong candidate for the ACTIVE Citizenship category due to his impactful volunteer work in Bidibidi, a challenging environment with limited resources for refugees. His efforts have significantly improved access to social services, especially for families with disabilities.” says Christine Abala, Project Lead for Early Childhood Care and Education, Uganda 

Jockim’s acceptance speech was largely in the form of dancing and celebrating with his team in Uganda, but here’s a few words he had to say. 

“I appreciate everyone outside [Uganda] who has managed to support us as Ugandans, because as you know Uganda is a fragile context. You've managed to continue supporting us and ensure we reached up to win this award. We request you continue to join us as we reach towards the next goal.”

Listen to Jockim's speech in full

Dev Upadhyaya Dhungel, SIKAI project

National Volunteer, Nepal 

There's nothing more meaningful in life than breaking barriers and paving the way so that every child, regardless of who they are or where they come from, can walk towards the light of education, hope, and the future they deserve."

Dev Upadhyaya Dhungel, a dedicated volunteer for the SIKAI project in Nepal, has made significant contributions to improving education in his community. He has raised awareness among parents about the importance of education, encouraging regular school attendance and parental involvement. Dev also advocated against corporal punishment, leading to a reduction in such practices in schools.   

He promoted child-friendly practices by establishing complaint response committees and child clubs to empower students.  

"Through his leadership, Dev has empowered both students and parents, helped to increased school attendance of children, and significantly improved the learning environment in community schools and households. His ability to bring people together for a common cause and his passion for creating sustainable improvements make him an outstanding candidate for this nomination and a deserving candidate to win the title." says Aarzoo Parajuli, an education coordinator in Nepal.

Dev was joined by his team in Nepal to celebrate his win. On accepting his award Dev said: 

“As I stand to collect this award, I’d like to make it very clear that this is a team effort. I take this [award] on behalf of all the national volunteers across VSO, especially all the national volunteers in Nepal. This is a joint effort and they inspire and encourage me everyday.”

Listen to Dev's speech in full

System Strengthening Award

Sustainable change occurs when citizens hold decision makers to account. These are volunteers who work with governments, civil society and local partners, to ensure that services are delivered effectively and sustainably. 

The System Strengthening Award winners were chosen by a panel of judges across VSO's portfolio of work.

Sena Getenet, ACTIVE project

National Volunteer, Ethiopia 

Reporting and monitoring and evaluation and documentation has as equal value as doing the work itself. Sometimes we may do the work, but if that work is not known and if the impact and if the progress is not known by the people around, it may not make sense.”

Sena has played a key role on the ACTIVE programme and the Integrating Peacebuilding, Development and Humanitarian Efforts on the Kenya and Ethiopia Cross Border (IPDHE) project, driving data-driven decision-making and enhancing project outcomes.   

Through her expertise in monitoring, evaluation, and learning, she implemented VSO's Measuring Impact for Learning and Empowerment approach, amplifying the voices of primary actors and ensuring accurate data collection.  

Sena trained community volunteers in data gathering, strengthened teamwork, and fostered collaboration among stakeholders. Her efforts have improved accountability, sustainability, and real-time project insights. Sena's problem-solving skills and commitment have significantly impacted VSO Ethiopia’s projects.  

Sena gave a moving speech when accepting her award saying “I am truly honoured and humbled to be here with you celebrating the Volunteer Impact Awards. I want to thank VSO globally for creating the opportunity for volunteerism, to let people contribute their skills, knowledge and their time to these special circumstances.

"Of course we’re not going to be volunteers forever, but whatever happens, these are the times that we’ll always treasure and carry in our lives.” 

Listen to Sena's speech in full

Celestin Karekezi, Let's Learn Through Play Project

National Volunteer, Rwanda 

I am really proud of helping teachers to be able to help children to explore their own things. I see the dream as seeing all children be active, proactive, creative and exploring! Children making their own things and not only relying on the teacher's experience. Play is very important.”

Celestin has played a key role as a volunteer on the Let's Learn Through Play project, supporting early childhood education through developing digital platforms.  

Initially, an early childhood education learning facilitator, he contributed to developing content for the VSO SCHOOL App, a learning management platform for volunteers, educators and students to create and share learning materials. Celestin’s work was focused on translating, digitising, and uploading modules onto the app.   

After transitioning to work as an EdTech volunteer, Celestin improved communication with app developers and trained over 900 early childhood teachers on app usage. His work enhanced the accessibility and interactivity of digital learning materials. 

Celestin also helped to translate the content into the local language Kinyarwanda, facilitating its integration into the national education system. 

Celestine was joined by the VSO team in Rwanda to celebrate his win. On winning he said “During this period of celebrating International Volunteer Day, this is really something that is great to me, that I will always remember and cherish. My achievements of course are owed to everyone who contributed to the changes in my life and my skills."

Listen to Celestine's speech in full

As well as celebrating the winners, the awards featured speeches from education specialist and volunteer Melba Pyne, Zainab Iqbal an Education Adviser for the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, British High Commission and VSO Digital Ambassador and social justice activist, Lamia Tasnim.

And of course, we are deeply grateful to our incredible hosts, VSO volunteers Awais Nadar (Pakistan) and Gift Mwanza (Zambia), who shared their heartfelt perspectives on the life-changing impact of volunteering.

We also heard an original song from volunteer and hip-hop artist Lawrence Ochieng, also known in the music industry as Larry Dwayne. Lawrence is also a climate and human rights activist and community volunteer with VSO on the From Waste to Work project.  

Thanks to everyone who made this year's Volunteer Impact Awards so special. Here’s to every volunteer! 

Listen to 'Volunteer' by Larry Dwayne