Blog

Two volunteers who are tackling food insecurity in Malawi
Malawi - Climate shocks, including droughts, floods, and storms, adversely affect livelihoods and food security in Malawi. Two formidable volunteers are helping to address the challenges of food security through sustainable farming methods.

Breaking barriers: Transforming social norms to empower adolescent girls in Nepal
Sexual and reproductive health is not just about physical well-being; it’s about dignity, autonomy, and the right to shape one’s future. In Nepal, the pressure for young girls to conform to traditional roles remains present, but how can programme design challenge these norms?

Tackling sexual health stigma for Rwanda's young mothers
In Rwanda, 2023 saw over 22,000 teenage pregnancies nationwide, alongside a concerning rise in HIV/AIDS cases among young people. VSO's Safe Space is a community gathering platform, where young people from neighbouring villages meet on a weekly basis.

The impact of climate change on sexual and reproductive health and rights
As communities worldwide grapple with the challenges posed by environmental changes, health systems must adapt to ensure inclusivity, equity, and resilience in healthcare delivery.

Meet Faridah, the teacher trainer making a difference in a Ugandan refugee settlement
Faridah volunteers on VSO's early childhood education project working in the BidiBidi refugee settlement in Uganda, as a teacher educator. Learn more about her volunteer journey.
From Lake to Land: How Mrs Sokea turned challenges into green growth on Tonlé Sap
For more than 30 years, Mrs Sokea and her family grew vegetables to support themselves. However, she faced many challenges and her crops were often invaded by insects. With VSO's help she's adopted modern climate friendly farming techniques to improve her livelihood.

VSO leads the charge for inclusive climate action at COP29
Watch a powerful film presented by VSO at COP29, where children and youth share their fears and hopes for a sustainable future using the power of art and poetry.

Remembering Susan and her passion for education
Michael has found a wonderful way to pay tribute to his wife, Susan - a VSO volunteer who taught English in Sierra Leone in the 1960s - helping to transform the lives of children in Sierra Leone.

Reflections of 30 years: My time as a teacher trainer in Nepal 1985
Meet Anna Robinson, a British woman who volunteered as a VSO teacher trainer in Nepal in 1985. 30 years on from first arriving on placement, Anna has returned to Nepal. In this blog Anna shared her highlights and learnings from her experience.

The year 2024 in photos and the stories behind them
Here we share some of VSO’s iconic imagery over the past year that capture the resilience and determination of the communities and volunteers we support and pay tribute to the people behind the lens.
'Here's to every volunteer' - an inspiring song from volunteer and artist Larry Dwayne
Known in the music industry as Larry Dwayne, Lawrence Ochieng is a Kenyan volunteer, hip-hop artist, and activist who uses his platform to raise awareness about climate change. Listen to his original song, 'Volunteer'.
Meet the 2024 Volunteer Impact Award winners
Our annual Volunteer Impact Awards celebrates the incredible impact made by VSO volunteers across the world. Learn more about our four 2024 winners.