South Sudan: New country, amazing opportunities

How can you help to support the development of education and health in the world's newest country?

Find out about current volunteering opportunities in South Sudan now.

Challenge

Poorly paid and inadequately trained, Namibian teachers are lacking motivation and the profession is in decline.

Catalyst

VSO volunteer Susan Somers brings new skills and a systematic approach to Namibia’s National Institute for Education Development.

Result

Less bureaucracy and the motivating effects of practical training gives Susan, and her Namibian counterparts, optimism.

A question of motivation: training teachers in Namibia

Teaching is not a popular career choice in Namibia, as teachers are inadequately trained and poorly paid. VSO volunteer Susan Somers is eager to change this situation by boosting skill levels and bringing much-needed organisation to the country’s education sector.

Style at La Stampa

"Style at La Stampa", VSO Ireland's fundraising fashion lunch, took place at the exclusive La Stampa Hotel on 14 December 2011.

Guests enjoyed a fashion show displaying Irish design creations from Project51, hair by Gary Kavanagh of Peter Mark and make-up courtesy of LA Make-Up. The MC for the night was Brendan Courtney of "Off the Rails" fame.

Challenge

Despite a robust attitude towards infant mortality, Ugandan society struggles to support mothers who are battling with the grieving process.

Catalyst

Midwife trainer, VSO volunteer Diane Lockhart raises awareness of the need to help bereaved mothers and provides tools to help them cope.

Result

Diane is making an impact in communities around Kampala as they seek to reduce infant mortality rates.

Family matters: training midwives in Uganda

Sub-Saharan Africa has a worryingly high mother and infant mortality rate, which is why the expertise and enthusiasm of midwife tutor Diane Lockhart means so much to the midwives of Uganda. And for Diane, spending two years with VSO in Kampala was a family affair, because she would be taking her young daughter with her.

VSO Rose in India

If you missed the RTE documentary A Rose to India featuring Clare Kambamettu visiting VSO programmes in India please click on the link below:

http://www.rte.ie/player/#!v=1108518

Events

Feb 4

Meet VSO in February
Want to volunteer? Come along and find out about VSO and meet a returned volunteer. Find out about the application process, the countries we work in and the skills we are looking for. Register now!

Feb 9

Mozambican Study Tour Open Discussion with VSO Delegates
A delegation of six Mozambican parliamentarians, government representatives and members of civil society organisations will be travelling to Ireland as part of a VSO sponsored study tour taking place from 6-10 February 2012.

Mar 24

Meet VSO in March

If you would like to find out more about volunteering with VSO why not come along to our monthly information seminar? 

Find out about volunteering, meet VSO and speak to a returned volunteer. Register now!

Where we work

Mongolia

EducationHealthSecure livelihoods
Population:
3 million
GDP per capita:
US$3,711
HDI ranking:
100 out of 169
Life expectancy:
67 years


Apply now

lila-devi-sml Find out more about how to become a VSO volunteer.

Your donation

Children-Sri-Lanka-Health How does the money you donate to VSO help?

Partnerships

To help us achieve our goals we develop long-term, strategic partnerships with other organisations.
  • Irish Aid-homepage
  • Dochas
  • Irish Aid-homepage
  • Volunteering Ireland

VSO Ireland