South Sudan: New country, amazing opportunities

How can you help to support the development of education and health in the world's newest country?

Find out about current volunteering opportunities in South Sudan now.

Challenge

Lacking the commercial skills to profit from tourism, some Namibian communities risk missing out on opportunities for economic growth.

Catalyst

VSO volunteer Pratap Sinha applies his business expertise to ensure that local people are actively involved in crucial commercial partnerships.

Result

Jobs are being created and investment is coming into the Erongo and South Kunene regions.

Boosting local economies: building business skills in Namibia

Namibia stands to gain a great deal from international tourism, but there’s a fine line between empowerment and exploitation. VSO volunteer Pratap Sinha is working with outside investors and local communities to guarantee sustainable development.

Challenge

Decentralisation is essential if isolated parts of Cameroon are to fulfil their potential, but resistance to change is endemic.

Catalyst

VSO volunteer Shamsul Akhtar brings expertise, positivity and patience to a situation that demands a diplomatic approach.

Result

The recruitment of 20 primary school teachers is evidence that Shamsul is helping to bring positive change to the Babessi community.

A diplomatic approach: enhancing local government in Cameroon

In rural Cameroon, VSO volunteer Shamsul Akhtar works with local councilors to implement essential government reforms. Despite difficult living conditions and early resistance to his initiatives, Shamsul is at last seeing progress.

Challenge

Rwandan society is still struggling to come to terms with disability, and care for vulnerable children is rudimentary.

Catalyst

VSO volunteer Antonia Eastman demonstrates that simple socialising techniques and sensitivity can make a real difference.

Result

Raising awareness and sharing knowledge with healthcare workers is changing attitudes towards disability.

New hope: caring for vulnerable children in Rwanda

In Rwanda, children like Sifa – a deeply traumatised infant who lived alone in Nyungwe forest before being taken into care – were once a source of shame. Thanks to the work of VSO volunteer Antonia Eastman, they can now look forward to a place in society.