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Never again: Sierra Leone’s devastating mudslide

A mudslide and severe flooding struck Sierra Leone’s capital, Freetown, last August, killing hundreds and leaving thousands homeless. While the rest of the world has moved on, Sierra Leoneans are still trying to recover. One year on, how can we prevent such a tragedy from happening again?

aerial view of the pamunda island, Zanzibar

Struggles in paradise: Do the world’s poorest actually benefit from tourism?

Around the world, tourism is on the rise, but local people often don’t see the benefit. Our work in Zanzibar is a great example of how simple changes could make a world of difference to farmers trying to earn a living.

VSO Ireland's Plastic Free July

Back in January, we created our very own 'SDG Resolutions' and vowed to do our bit to be a little more sustainable inside and outside the office. Part of this meant embracing Plastic Free July. Here's how we got on...

New hope for women living in shame and discomfort

Volunteering has the power to shine a light on a little talked-about condition and help some of the countless women affected worldwide, writes Lucy Taylor.

Community volunteer working in mudslide affected communities

Volunteers: Our not-so-secret weapon in creating resilient communities

A billion people in the world are volunteers. A new UN report rightly recognises their vital role combatting the growing global threat of natural and man-made disasters, writes VSO’s Chief Executive Philip Goodwin.

Cambodian field

The fields are empty: Why thousands of Cambodian farmers are disappearing

In Cambodia, tough market conditions have forced farmers to migrate in search of work, leaving behind children and aged parents to care for the rice fields.

Q&A with Neonatal Nurse Rachel

Before setting off for Uganda, we caught up with Rachel to find out how she was feeling about her placement and what made her take the plunge in the first place...

Spotlight on Goal 4… Quality Education

Knowledge is our most powerful tool – and education is the key that unlocks it. Unfortunately access to education around the world is unequal and millions of people live a life of poverty as a result. Goal 4 aims to change that.

60 years in 60 photos

Archive photography shows six decades of fighting poverty, in under a minute.

Life as a VSO volunteer in Lumezi

In this beautifully written piece, former VSO volunteer Eileen Parkes shares memories from her placement in Zambia...

Wisdom of the elders

Three older people reflect on the changes they’ve seen in their lifetimes.

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