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About VSO
VSO today
VSO was voted top international development charity in the International Aid and Development category at the Charity Awards 2004 for its work in promoting innovative approaches to globalising volunteering.
Our approach to volunteering has changed dramatically over the years. Our volunteers are no longer only school-leavers - today the average age of a volunteer is 41, the majority coming from skilled, professional backgrounds. Placements range from one month to two years in duration. We are a leading development charity with almost 1,500 skilled professionals currently working in 33 countries. We respond to requests from governments and community organisations throughout Asia and Africa.
Volunteers are aged between 18 and 75 and their aim is to pass on their expertise to local people so that when they return home their skills remain. Volunteers are provided with accommodation and a local level allowance as well as air fares and insurance.
We are actively recruiting volunteers all the time. The range of jobs is vast, and includes teachers, management consultants, health professionals, communications professionals, fundraisers and IT specialists.
Some history
Voluntary Service Overseas was founded by the late Alec and Mora Dickson with backing from Inter Church Aid (now Christian Aid) and the late Bishop of Portsmouth, who sent a letter to the Sunday Times to support his vision.
On May 19 1958 the first VSO volunteers (thirteen 18-year-old men) left the UK to give a year's voluntary service in developing countries - Ghana, Nigeria, Northern Rhodesia (Zambia) and Sarawak. Some of the first volunteers are still in touch with VSO, which still has thriving programmes in Ghana, Nigeria and Zambia. Since then over 33,000 volunteers have served in over 120 countries.
Some well-known former VSO volunteersMany former VSO volunteers have risen to prominence in their chosen field. A significant number of former volunteers have been, or still are journalists. VSO volunteers have also gone on to become politicians, well-known writers, churchmen, business people, police chiefs and educationalists.
Examples include Mike Wooldridge, Brian Hanrahan, Jon Snow, Michael Brunson, Peter Salmon, Labour Minister Hilary Armstrong MP and Nicholas Evans, author of The Horse Whisperer.
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