Lucy Taylor

Children listening to a story in Nepal | VSO

Life after VSO: New study reveals lasting impacts of volunteering

More than half (55%) of volunteers are more socially active as a result of their placements, according to VSO’s latest study based on data from thousands of volunteers from Africa, Asia and Europe: Impact beyond volunteering.

Celebrating International Women's Day around the world

This week VSO been celebrating women's rights, diversity and achievements - from Bangladesh to Zambia, Nigeria to Nepal.

Woman walks through a slum of Ranchi, India | CSO

New strength and security for women in India's "hub of trafficking"

In its first year, VSO's Aaghaaz [New Beginning] project, in partnership with telecoms company Bharti Infratel, has supported 1,000 slum-dwelling women, who have survived or been at risk of trafficking, through training courses in employment skills.

Girls staying in school against the odds

Across Ghana, thousands of girls face pressures that keep them away from school. Less than half continue their education beyond primary school. Three girls explain what their education means to them - and the battles they are fighting to get it.

Antoinette shows her mother how she can write letters of the alphabet

Growing up in Rwanda: A photo essay

Most six-year-olds in Cyete eat once a day and cannot yet read and write. Enathe describes the life of her extraordinary daughter, who is blossoming in a household that despite being materially poor, is full of warmth, hope and faith.

Grandmother Maria Jacinto and her family in Mozambique | VSO

How one widowed grandma traded her way out of poverty

Maria Jacinto relied on her husband's income from the mines to feed herself and her family. When she became a widow, life was plunged into uncertainty. Maria went from widow to breadwinner and turned her family's fortunes around.

Teaching children with visual impairment in Indian classroom | VSO

Indian volunteer crowdfunds £3000 to support blind children

After Sayani's elder sister was left unable to walk unaided by a form of arthritis, she developed a crowdfunding campaign to raise money to help educate children with disabilities.

The food revolution that could transform life behind bars

Poor nutritrition makes people in prison more vulnerable to infection, increasing the risks to communities around them. Grow-your-own initiatives could be a simple, innovative way to improve health behind and beyond bars.