Blog

Screengrab from Brown film

Watch Brown – a film by volunteers Brown Niyonsaba and Justin Spray

Brown is a heart-warming film by VSO community volunteer, Brown Niyonsaba and volunteer filmmaker, Justin Spray that explores the question 'what does it mean to be a Deaf woman in Rwanda?' Watch the film here.

School visit, Ethiopia
VSO/Kamal Jaga

Meet the volunteer providing psychosocial support to those affected by conflict

Kamal Jaga, 40, from the UK, volunteered on the VSO Psychosocial Support Project in Ethiopia, a country ragged by internal conflict that created an estimated 2.2m internally displaced people. Read his story.

VSO Chief Executive Philip Goodwin speaks animatedly at a conference about the Sustainable Development Goals
VSO

Our priorities for 2023-4: A message from CEO Philip Goodwin

Philip Goodwin, VSO Chief Executive Officer outlines our priorities for 2023/24.

Mangrove nursery project
Lisa Marie David

Video: The Humble Mangrove Tree

Check out our video which tells the impressive story of how VSO volunteers in the Philippines are harnessing the hidden power of mangroves, nature and community to create real sustainable change for families.

Arifa

The volunteer helping Rohingya refugee children regain their childhood

Hundreds of thousands of Rohingya refugee children are living in camps in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, having experienced conflict and trauma. Arifa is a VSO volunteer is championing play-based learning to help these children regain their childhood.

Dress shop in the Phillipines
Lisa Marie David

From destruction to dressmaking - the story of two inspiring women

Every minute, 20 people are forced to leave everything behind to escape conflict or persecution. But they aren’t just crossing international borders to seek refuge in other countries. For some people, that isn’t an option.

Nicoline at the market

“Bringing about change is always a two-way process" - Nicoline's journey in Cambodia

Nicoline volunteered on VSO's Rural Employment for COVID-19 Economic Recovery (RECOVER) project in Cambodia, helping rural communities to build sustainable livelihoods. Learn more about her volunteer journey.

Rice trading project in the Philippines
Lisa Marie David

Four ways you’re helping communities cope with the climate crisis

As our planet warms and our weather gets more extreme, raising awareness and galvanising climate action is more vital than ever. Learn how you're helping the communities bearing the brunt of climate change, adapt and survive.

Volunteer Jonito at the Kulambagan ecotourism site.
Lisa Marie David

How we're championing active citizenship

VSO is supporting communities around the world to take ownership of local issues, lead and shape their own development, and raise their voice with decision makers to improve the way in which public services are delivered.  

Girls in a biology lesson

My experience improving STEM education in Cambodia

After retiring from a successful career in the UK as a science teacher, Sean McMorrow shared his skills and experience to help Cambodian children pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and maths. Read more.

Children in classroom

Help keep children in Pakistan safe

Right now, Pakistan is reeling from devastating floods which left a third of the country underwater. As the country grapples with the effects of a changing climate, it’s children who are being left behind.

Janefer Boke outside Nyamekongoroto catch-up centre, Migori, southwest Kenya
Paul Wambugu

5 facts about women's rights around the world

While much progress has been made towards creating equality for women, the fight continues. In this blog, we celebrate some key achievements of women around the world and understand how much further we have to go...