It’s time to meet our VSO Digital Ambassadors! Selected from different corners of the world, equipped with different passions, we’ve brought together volunteers who are ready to use their voices to create change on a wider scale and in their own communities.
Young people and VSO’s youth networks are a powerful force for change. These digital youth ambassadors will be taking to social media to talk about the issues they care about and the work they are doing in their community to challenge the status quo.
Aarati Patel
Based in Nepal, Aarati is passionate about helping young people understand their own health rights and encouraging them to use health services in her community.
Dr. Arman Hossain
Based in Bangladesh, Arman is a doctor who's campaigning for quality healthcare, clean water, and mental health services.
Awais Nadar
Based in Pakistan, Awais is on a mission to end child labour and make sure all children are given the opportunity to have an inclusive and quality education.
Given Promise
Based in Nigeria, Promise advocates for young people to have a seat at the table and is actively championing their participation in bringing about change at policy level.
Lamia Tasnim
Based in Bangladesh, Lamia is passionate about environmental sustainability, girls and women's rights and education.
Temesgen Bireda
Based in Ethiopia, Temesgen has been focusing on supporting youth networks across the country to use their voices on social media to create lasting impact.
Wajiha Shah
Based in Pakistan, Wajiha wants to be a role model for young girls in her community and show that just like her, they can achieve anything they put their mind to.
Zelalem Andualem
Based in Ethiopia, Zelalem is connecting with young people, and persons with disabilities, to encourage conversation around sexual and reproductive health.
FAQs
What is the VSO Ambassador Programme?
The VSO Ambassador Programme is a six-month programme where VSO will onboard nine volunteers to work with on creating engaging digital content. Our goal is to raise awareness of the inspiring work our volunteers are doing across the globe and encourage more people to become active citizens in their own digital spaces. We all have the power to influence online!
How do I become an official VSO Ambassador?
The current VSO Ambassador Programme is a pilot project. To begin with, we have started with the recruitment of nine volunteers to support with this, but in the future, we will be looking to expand to a wider volunteer network and involve more people directly. Once we have captured enough learnings from our initial cohort, we will look to scale up the programme.
However, there is still always other ways to get involved with VSO. You can support championing us on social media by using the #WeVolunteerFor hashtag to share your volunteering journey. We will always make an effort to engage and share your posts!
As well as this, we’d recommend that you join our exclusive VSO Volunteers Facebook Group. Make sure to do an introduction post when you are accepted so our lovely community can give you a warm welcome: https://www.facebook.com/groups/236199356791419/
How long is the VSO Ambassador Programme running for?
The current VSO Ambassador Programme will be running for six months. In this period, we’ll be onboarding nine volunteers to support us with this work. This will run from July to December 2024.
Once our first cohort has completed the initial six months, we will take our learnings and look at how we expand this programme to our wider volunteer network.
How were volunteers selected for the VSO Ambassador Programme?
For the pilot, we selected volunteers who are currently engaged as VSO Youth Champions. We first gaged interest through a digital engagement survey and later coordinated with communication staff across different countries to identify volunteers who would be best placed to support with the launch the programme.
As this is a pilot programme, we will look at opportunities to expand this once our first cohort comes to an end in December 2024.
How can I share more about my volunteering experience?
We fully encourage volunteers to share more about their VSO experience with their followers online. Make sure that you’re using the #WeVolunteerFor hashtag across social media platforms.
Tell us your journey as an Active Citizen!
Firstly what do we mean when we talk about active citizenship? VSO helps to empower the most marginalised people to lead their own development, claim their rights to better public services and hold people in power to account.
Join the conversation by using the #WeVolunteerFor hashtag on your social media profiles to highlight what volunteering activities you’re getting up to in your community.