VSO sees surge in interest from Irish professionals looking to volunteer abroad
01/04/2009 00:01:00
VSO, the charity that recruits volunteers to work in developing countries, announced today that it has seen a dramatic increase in enquiries from Irish professionals looking to volunteer during the month of March 2009. VSO is an international development charity that places professional people on challenging work placements across Africa and Asia.
While at the beginning of 2009 VSO saw a 40% drop in applications, now, in direct correlation to the increase in unemployment in Ireland, VSO’s Dublin office has had a surge in interest from people looking to work abroad. Every year VSO sends business people, teachers, nurses and doctors overseas to work on challenging work placements.
As levels of interest pick up, VSO hopes that those facing redundancy or unemployment will take this opportunity to share their skills with poor communities in developing countries. VSO volunteers have all their costs covered plus they receive standard accommodation and a local salary while working overseas. Most people dedicate two years to their volunteer placement, but some shorter-term jobs are available.
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:
“People living in developing countries are not just facing recession, they have been living in severe poverty for years, even while we experienced a boom. Now, as the global economy takes a downturn, they are the victims of a situation they did not create. We urge talented people with time on their hands to share their skills with VSO – it’s a career enhancing and life changing experience.”
Mark Henderson from Cork lost his job as a general manager in a leading pharmaceutical company last Summer and applied to VSO for a two year placement. Now he is working in Indonesia, experiencing a new culture, work environment and challenge. Of leaving Ireland he says:
“I worked for 15 years in the same company so being made redundant was initially a blow. But then I realised it was the perfect opportunity for me to do something completely different with my life, so I applied to VSO. Now I live in Indonesia and am delighted to be using my business skills positively and getting experience in international development. My costs are covered which puts me at ease. VSO is a professional organisation.”
VSO is tackling poverty in poor communities where people require strategic advice from talented professionals. Through empowerment, partnership and an exchange of learning, VSO strives to make a difference through long-term volunteering.
In many developing countries staff shortages in business managers, educationalists, doctors and midwives are chronic, so these are the skills now in demand.
More information: Contact VSO Ireland on 01-8147070 or email Deirdre.finlay@vso.ie.
