Blog

Nowrin vs female farmer poverty

As the sole female volunteer on VSO’s rural livelihoods programme in Bangladesh, Nowrin Sultana, 26, is in demand. For the last two years, she’s been working to financially empower all-female farming groups in rural communities in the northern district of Rangpur.

Making sure no student gets left behind in Myanmar

In Myanmar, with a newly-elected government and an education system undergoing major changes, we are urgently recruiting VSO volunteers to help teachers adapt.

The power of youth volunteering: Eight years of impact in eight ICS projects

Since 2011, more than 38,000 young people have taken part in ICS. Eight years later, we celebrate eight of our favourite moments of ICS impact.

Expanding horizons for Deaf youth in Kenya: Harrison’s story

Volunteer Harrison Kariuki is on a mission to end stigma and improve the lives of Deaf young people in Kenya.

You changed my life

Paralysed in her teens, Chrissy Zimba thought her life was over. VSO volunteer Sheila Lawrence helped her turn it all around. As told to Lucy Taylor.

Development through the lens: A volunteer filmmaker in Tanzania

Justin Spray volunteered in Tanzania telling the stories of some of the people whose lives VSO has touched with its work there. He explains how the power of film can be harnessed to create change.

"I thought life had ended - but life has just begun" - Whycliffe's story

Whycliffe was supported by VSO to attain an internationally-recognised vocational qualification, which has transformed his fortunes. He now employs three other young people and dreams of volunteering to help other youth in his home near Hoima, Uganda.

A night to remember: Global volunteers celebrated at VSO Awards

VSO volunteers, supporters and friends came together to celebrate the impact of volunteering for development at the Volunteer Impact Awards. 

Courageous Keith conquers Kilimanjaro

How 62-year-old Keith Davies achieved a long-held goal by trekking Africa’s highest mountain for VSO, overcoming huge challenges and personal tragedy on the way.

Getting children ready to start school in Rwanda

VSO is changing the future of education in Rwanda through helping prepare children for school, training teachers and classroom refurbishment.

Teachers and volunteers having a discussion about learning environments in Rwanda
VSO/Peter Caton

From teacher to volunteer: What’s it like to volunteer with VSO?

Two retired UK teachers decided to embark on a completely new challenge: Wendy is improving teaching standards in Rwanda, while Helen is making education more inclusive in Nepal.

The unexpected thing I learnt as a VSO volunteer

Returned volunteers from the UK share some of the unexpected things they learned from their VSO experience, from the practical, to the bizarre, to the profound.