Volunteer overseas on your career break

SOME 57 million children are out of school, more than half of them living in sub-Saharan Africa. Irish educators have been making a real difference with VSO Ireland over the years, but there’s a lot more work to be done.

VSO designs development programmes to support sustainable change in 24 countries across Africa, Asia and the Pacific. With new education programmes currently being developed in Malawi, Uganda, South Africa and Rwanda, VSO Ireland is calling on experienced Irish teachers to get in touch about volunteering opportunities in 2017.

VSO education volunteers don’t teach in classrooms – instead they train teachers, update curricula, advise on inspection methods and work with government bodies to improve and extend education services. The impact of VSO volunteers has been wide-reaching, with nearly one million adults and children benefiting last year alone.

But the greatest effects are often felt by the volunteers themselves. Padraic McKeon, former primary school principal in Newport, has volunteered with VSO in South Sudan, Myanmar and Uganda.

He said of the experience: 'It changes one’s perspective. It changes you. I know that I have got back more than I gave, and for this I am grateful.'

If you’re an experienced educator and want to follow in Padraic's footsteps, get in touch with VSO Ireland now. Volunteers receive a comprehensive support package – costs, including flights, accommodation and medical insurance are covered, and a monthly volunteer allowance is provided. Volunteers also receive pre-departure and in-country training, and a full debrief when they return home.

 

Visit www.vso.ie, email volunteer@vso.ie or call (01) 6401060 to get more information now.