Recession hits volunteer numbers to Africa and Asia
09/02/2009 00:01:00
VSO, the charity that recruits volunteers to work in developing countries, announced today that it has seen a 40% reduction in applications from Irish professionals looking to volunteer since the beginning of 2009. VSO wants to remind professionals that volunteering won’t affect their income or career prospects, as all costs are covered and placements are professionally challenging.
VSO urgently needs 50 Irish volunteers to work on development projects overseas but so far just 10 professionals have been placed since September. If levels of interest do not pick up jobs could be left unfilled and communities in some of the poorest countries in the world will suffer.
Enquiries from prospective volunteers in 2008 were down 25% on the previous 12 months, and last year 16 candidates withdrew their applications, sparking concern that the recession in Ireland is undermining people’s confidence to volunteer.
Professional VSO volunteers provide crucial support to education and health systems and community organisations working in areas such as human rights and income generation. VSO is encouraging people to escape the gloom and doom of the Irish economy, take up a two-year placement in an exciting new environment, and return to Ireland when the storm has settled.
Malcolm Quigley, Director of VSO Ireland, says:
“The current economic climate is a real concern for everyone and it’s natural that Irish professionals are worried about giving up their job security. But people living in developing countries are not facing recession; they are already living in poverty that threatens their livelihood. VSO is a respected NGO that designs excellent programmes and covers all volunteering costs, so the risk isn’t as big as people think.”
Dublin based marketing specialist Colm Halley, who is leaves for Kenya in March, has an encouraging message for potential VSO volunteers:
“I am excited about living and working abroad with VSO, and confident that I will learn a lot from the experience. Volunteering isn’t just taking time out, it’s using your skills and getting experience in international development. My costs are covered which puts me at ease. It’s a professional organisation.”
VSO provides volunteers with flights, accommodation, training, insurance, medical support and an allowance to cover basic costs. Irish public sector professionals volunteering can apply for a Career Break to avail of time off to cover the 1-2 year period.
In many developing countries staff shortages in business managers, educationalists, doctors and midwives are chronic, so these are the skills now in demand. VSO can use financial professionals where they have strong planning or management expertise.
More information: Contact VSO Ireland on 01-8147070 or email Deirdre.finlay@vso.ie.
