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Blog posts about Education

Teachers and volunteers having a discussion about learning environments in Rwanda

From teacher to volunteer: What’s it like to volunteer abroad with VSO?

Two retired UK teachers decided to embark on a completely new challenge: Wendy is improving teaching standards in Rwanda, while Helen is making education more inclusive in Nepal.

Teacher with a large class size in Malawi

Is teaching the world's toughest job?

Low pay. Lack of respect. Being asked to achieve the impossible with not enough time, resources or training to do your best. Teachers around the world reveal the challenges they face – and why they keep at it despite everything.

Marianne Simpson Hand in Hand school

Our lasting bond: How volunteering created a cross-cultural connection

A volunteer placement that began more than a decade ago continues to benefit children with special education needs in Vietnam and has laid the foundations for a special relationship between two extraordinary women.

Robert with colleagues while on placement in Tanzania.

Thank you: Two incredible words I never expected to hear from Nelson Mandela

At 21, Robert Yates was unhappy at the state of the world. Determined to take positive action, he volunteered with VSO in Tanzania, where he supported young South Africans exiled by apartheid.

Durga (Big Sister) helping Nirmala (Little Sister) with her school work

Meet Durga: A Big Sister with a huge impact

When Durga Bista was 18, she dropped out of school to get married and dedicate her time to household chores. Now, she volunteers as a ‘Big Sister’, vulnerable girls in her home community of Ranighat to attend and stay in school.

Durga (Big Sister) and Nirmala (Little Sister)

“Very few girls miss school in this community now” – Nirmala’s story

Nirmala was struggling at school, getting fail marks. Big Sister Durga Bista convinced Nirmala’s parents of the value of education and inspired her to attend school regularly.

VSO volunteer and Rohingya children

Helping Rohingya children get their childhoods back

About half a million children are living in refugee camps in Bangladesh. We're working together to help them.

Uganda programme visit - reflections

Our Marketing and Communications Manager Annette gives you the low-down on her recent visit to our Irish Aid funded health and education programmes in Karamoja, Uganda.

Building parallel bars for accessibility in PNG

Five volunteer impacts in Papua New Guinea

As VSO scales back operations in PNG after more than 50 years, we celebrate just a handful of the major impacts volunteers from around the world have had on the development of this diverse Pacific nation.

Building parallel bars for accessibility in PNG

Five ways volunteers have supported vital work in Papua New Guinea

As VSO scales back operations in PNG after more than 50 years, we celebrate just a handful of the major impacts volunteers from around the world have had on the development of this diverse Pacific nation.

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