Overseas Aid Work - Volunteering TDs and Senators Promote Benefits
28/09/2010 16:13:00
TDs Dara Calleary and Lucinda Creighton along with Senators Fiona O’Malley and Dominic Hannigan all participated in the VSO’s “Politicians for Development Programme” in Africa and Asia during August and September. The Programme enabled Oireachtas members to use their experience as parliamentarians to help organisations in developing nations with social, health and municipal projects. VSO volunteers are experienced professionals in health, education and business who share their skills with local partners in 44 countries and help to change lives.
Deputy Calleary travelled to Mozambique where he worked with people living with HIV and Aids carers and met with Mozambican parliamentarians. Senator Hannigan volunteered in Kathmandu where he worked with the only organisation in Nepal for sexual minorities.
Deputy Lucinda Creighton worked in Uganda with an alliance of volunteering organisations and liaised with parliamentarians on ways to promote volunteering in their country. Senator O’Malley headed for the Republic of Tajikistan in Central Asia where she worked with the State Committee for Youth, Tourism and Sport.
Senator O’Malley said;
“My time spent in Tajikistan was both beneficial and enjoyable. I discovered that there were lots of similarities between the evolution of the Tajik and Irish economies. Tajikistan could learn from Ireland’s experience - several decades ago tourism played a marginal role in our economy. Today it is one of the main sources of national income.
I hope that during my time there I was able to communicate some ways in which the tourism sector in Tajikistan can grow and develop.”
Dara Calleary TD said:
“I would urge anyone who has previously considered doing some overseas volunteer work to just do it. During my time in Mozambique I saw at first hand some of the extremely tough conditions some people are forced to survive in.
However, I also witnessed the resolute nature, determination and good humour with which people live and how they manage to overcome their difficulties to lead productive lives. I learnt a great deal during my stay and urge others to get involved and become a VSO volunteer.”
As part of the initiative, Oireachtas staff member Adrienne Harrington will set off in October to spend six months in Namibia. Adrienne who works in the Oireachtas IT section will advise on the monitoring and coordination of HIV and Aids services there.
VSO Board member Senator David Norris, was there to thank the new volunteer and to wish her well with her placment.
For more information on becoming a VSO volunteer see www.vso.ie
