Be part of the change you want to see. Be a changemaker.
We live in an unfair world. A world where inequality and injustice are rife. Where millions of lives are blighted by a lack of access to even the most basic healthcare, education and livelihoods.
It’s not right. It has to change. And with you, it can.
VSO is the world’s leading development charity working through volunteers to create lasting change. VSO expert volunteers share their unique skills to make the biggest difference to the world’s most marginalised communities - those who are left out by society, those living in extreme poverty, or with disability and illness, those who face discrimination and violence for their gender, sexuality or social status.
This Christmas, you can be a changemaker. Will you donate today and help marginalised communities build better lives for generations to come?
Create lasting change day by day, village by village.
Precious is a young mother who depends on farming to feed her family. But the climate crisis is making crops fail, livestock is dying, and food prices are soaring, leaving young mothers and children vulnerable. Without urgent help, families like Precious’s will be on the brink of starvation.
VSO expert volunteers are on the ground, sharing life-saving knowledge with young mothers like Precious, giving them the confidence to know that they can provide for their children. VSO expert volunteers train local communities on farming techniques that are sustainable, cost-effective and better for the planet.
With VSO’s support, Precious learned how to plant and grow crops that are hardy and can survive extreme weather. She is now able to feed her children, and she sells surplus vegetables at the market for a good price. Without learning these life-changing farming techniques, Precious and her family would have been at risk of severe hunger.
We urgently need to reach more families at risk of starvation, and you can be part of the solution. With your help, we can reach more young mothers, spread awareness, and train people on sustainable farming.
Please donate now and be part of the change you want to see this Christmas. Be a changemaker.
Key achievements 2022/23
From 2022-23 10.9 million people were reached nearly 7.4 million indirectly and over 3.5 million directly including...
Helping over 3.2 million people to access the quality education they deserve.
Reaching almost 90,000 people through our health projects.
Almost 200,000 through our resilient livelihoods programme.
Over 87,000 through our wider work helping people prepare for disaster, build peaceful communities, tackle gender-based violence, and create inclusive societies.
Areas of work
Inclusive and resilient education
Making sure everyone gets the skills they need to live a fulfilled, dignified life.
We helped over 3.2 million people to access the quality education they deserve in 2022-23.
Resilient livelihoods
Ensuring people have the skills and opportunities needed to support themselves and their families.
200,000 people benefited from our work supporting livelihoods in 2022-23.
Adolescent and youth health and wellbeing
Improving health services and empowering people to exercise their right to quality care.
We helped almost 90,000 people access better healthcare in 2022-23.
Check out the videos below that highlight a few of the projects VSO is working on.
Helping flood-affected children in Pakistan return to the classroom
Currently, there are an estimated 23 million children in Pakistan unable to attend school, with recent flooding worsening an already dire situation. Abida is a teacher at Government Girls Primary School in District Dadu. She had been teaching there for 30 years when the 2022 floods destroyed the school.
The Back to School project is providing education services for flood-affected children, to ensure safe learning environments are provided for all children, especially girls and children with disabilities. Watch to learn more.
Tackling climate change in the Philippines
VSO volunteers in the Philippines are harnessing the hidden power of mangroves, nature and community to create real sustainable change for families.
These remarkable trees protect coasts, ecosystems, homes and livelihoods, yet they are currently under threat. 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.
Helping Deaf people access sexual and reproductive services in Rwanda
Helping Deaf people access sexual and reproductive services in Rwanda
Being able to access sexual and reproductive health information and services should be simple for everyone, but unfortunately, that is not always the case.
In this short film, we look at how volunteers in Rwanda are training community health workers in sign language so that they can support the whole community in delivering essential information - including for Deaf people.
More stories from VSO
"Girls deserve an education just as much as boys"
Meet 26 year-old community volunteer Salma Rehmat from Afghanistan. Salma advocates for Afghan refugees and host communities in Pakistan to access a quality education. Find out more.
Life at VSO: Praveen Kumar, Global Lead Advisor for Social Inclusion
Praveen Kumar Gurunath has been working with VSO for the past 18 years in various roles, and for the past five years as the Global Lead Advisor for Social Inclusion. Find out more about his experience at VSO.
Former First Minister of Scotland welcomes launch of VSO peacebuilding project in the Philippines
In January 2024, Lord Jack McConnell, former First Minister of Scotland and former VSO volunteer, visited Camp Badre in Maguindanao del Norte, the Philippines. Hear his reflections from the trip.