Volunteering charity VSO celebrates its women volunteers and partners around the world
03/03/2009
To mark International Women’s Day this Sunday, 8 March, VSO (Voluntary Service Overseas) wishes to thank all it’s Irish female volunteers working in developing countries in Africa and Asia, plus all local organisations it supports in the developing world that focus on empowering women in their communities. VSO is an international development charity that recruits volunteers to work the world’s poorest and most deprived communities.
Since VSO first opened its Dublin office it has received 946 applications from people looking to make a difference and volunteer overseas. Out of these 946 applications, 57 per cent have been from women. This year VSO will send 34 volunteers abroad on 1-2 year placements, many of which are marketing managers, fundraisers, nurses and teachers – notably female dominated professions.
VSO volunteers work in local community grassroots organizations in Africa and Asia, many of which work directly with women, addressing their empowerment and opportunity in that society.
This year VSO has invited the Rose of Tralee, Aoife Kelly, to visit disability programmes in Kenya. A professional Occupational Therapist, Aoife knows what it is to give back to those in need. On her upcoming trip to Kenya, Aoife says:
“I’m passionate about traveling, seeing new places and ultimately, giving something back to those who really need it. I volunteered in South Africa and now have this fantastic opportunity to visit VSO disability programmes in Kenya, a country I’ve always wanted to see. I think that I’m naturally inclined to be interested in charity work, especially because of my chosen profession, occupational therapy. I would urge anyone looking for a challenge to volunteer with VSO.”
Speaking on VSO’s Irish women volunteers, Malcolm Quigley, Director of VSO Ireland, said:
“Many international studies have shown that women are more likely to volunteer in their local communities than men are. But volunteering overseas in a developing country requires good professional skills and self-assurance, so the women from Ireland that volunteer are generally impressive people! We also get plenty of men knocking on our door too, looking for an adventurous challenge. What matters most to us is delivering top quality volunteers to our partners overseas – we need more people to take the plunge, no matter what gender they are!”
VSO will have a stand at the International Women’s Day Conference at Croke Park on Thursday 5th of March, plus the UN Commission on the Status of Women at the UN in New York this week.
