Blog

Youth for Sustainable Development group
VSO/Brian Ngali

Watch how VSO's Digital Ambassadors are using their skills to support their communities

We asked VSO's Digital Ambassadors to tell us what issues young people face in their community and what skills are required by young people to tackle them. Watch this film featuring our volunteers answering these important questions.

Beekeeper holding honeycomb
VSO

Pioneering the Path of Agroecology: The first VSO-led cross-country learning and partners exchange

In June 2024, VSO launched its first Cross-Country Learning and Partners Exchange, bringing together VSO project leaders and partners from Nepal and Zimbabwe to exchange best practices in small holder farmer agroecology.

Bineloge Nhembo
VSO

The youth volunteer empowering rural communities in Zimbabwe

Hear from youth volunteer, Bineloge Nhembo, about his journey to champion climate education in Zimbabwe.

Jamera on the beach
VSO/Lisa Marie David

Tapping into the world’s most staple food to weather many a storm

Rice is incredibly important to Filipinos. Not only is it a food staple, but over 32% of the workforce in the country is involved in rice farming. Read the uplifting stories of two women who are members of a rice trading co-operative.

Felix and his fellow volunteers
VSO/ Liza Oliver

"When you volunteer, you're not just a participant. You're a decision-maker"

Volunteer Felix Muendo, tells his story of volunteering as a sexual and reproductive health advisor for the ACTIVE project in Kenya.

Nirmala leading the children to class

A brighter future: the volunteers helping girls stay in school

Watch how volunteer "Big Sisters," like Nirmala, are helping to ensure children in Nepal have the best start in life by highlighting the importance of education to their parents.

Youth volunteers
VSO/Fabrice Macumbi

From volunteer service overseas to active citizenship: VSO's journey

In 1958, Moira and Alec Dickenson recruited 16 youth volunteers to go to Borneo. This was the start of our journey. The one constant throughout our story is our focus on volunteering, though now our work is informed by the idea of active citizenship. 

Florence
VSO/Paul Wambugu

How girls are learning and earning their way out of poverty

Girls across Africa are being forced to drop out of school early as families are forced to make tough decisions as money and resources are limited. With your support, VSO have helped girls to return to education and secure employment opportunities.

Dev Upadhyaya talking in class
Kam Jaga

Volunteering can shape communities and your own growth - Dev's story

Meet Dev Upadhyaya, a volunteer Learning Advisor working on a four-year education project targeting 60 schools in Nepal. The SIKAI project aims to address barriers faced by marginalised children in accessing primary education and help them successfully transition from childhood to adolescence.

Salma Rehmat.

"Girls deserve an education just as much as boys"

Meet 26 year-old community volunteer Salma Rehmat from Afghanistan. Salma advocates for Afghan refugees and host communities in Pakistan to access a quality education. Find out more.

Praveen Kumar

Life at VSO: Praveen Kumar, Global Lead Advisor for Social Inclusion

Praveen Kumar Gurunath has been working with VSO for the past 18 years in various roles, and for the past five years as the Global Lead Advisor for Social Inclusion. Find out more about his experience at VSO.

Lord Jack McConnell talks at the ACTIVE launch
VSO

Former First Minister of Scotland welcomes launch of VSO peacebuilding project in the Philippines

In January 2024, Lord Jack McConnell, former First Minister of Scotland and former VSO volunteer, visited Camp Badre in Maguindanao del Norte, the Philippines. Hear his reflections from the trip.