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Safiya Bashir

A woman next to a river showing crabs she has caught

Empowering women, ending dependence and transforming lives – two stories from Bangladesh

Filmmaker Sue Turbett has just returned from Bangladesh, capturing first-hand projects that are investing in the livelihoods of women such as Sathi and Laxmi. From improving farming practices to training in crab fishing, see how VSO is transforming the lives of women in rural Bangladesh.

A portrait of a Tanzanian woman

Tackling child marriage through theatre: Irene’s story

Volunteer Irene Bitumbe is on a mission to protect the rights of girls in Tanzania. Aged just 25, she has worked tirelessly tackling sexual reproductive health and rights for young people through interactive theatre. Irene explains why she wants to help enable young girls have the future they deserve.

a man on a welding site, talking and educating a group of men

HIV: Not a life sentence

In Zimbabwe, VSO is supporting HIV positive prison inmates to live full and healthy lives after their sentences have been served. Three courageous people living with HIV share their stories and hopes for the future.

an adults hand holding a childs hand

What will you pass onto the next generation?

Leaving a legacy with VSO is simple and can help support projects for years to come. We speak to three VSO supporters about why they have decided to leave a gift to VSO in their Will.

volunteers in Cambodia

Join the fight to stop orphanage tourism

The effort to promote responsible volunteering over harmful 'voluntourism'.

four volunteer standing at the front of a classroom, smiling at the camera

Meet the young activists fighting for Deaf rights

A bespoke project in Kenya is bringing together Deaf people from the UK and Kenya to make their voices heard. Youth volunteers Raabia, a young filmmaker from the UK, and her Kenyan counterpart, Enock, explain how badly marginalised Deaf people continue to be in both countries – and what they’re doing to help.

group of people in zambia smiling and laughing at the camera

The ripple effect: What happens after a VSO placement?

From fostering cross-cultural understanding between countries, to furnishing hundreds of classrooms, many volunteers carry on making a difference after their official VSO placement has ended. This 'ripple effect' is still changing lives around the world.

Giving up the ‘gap yah’: how to make sure you volunteer responsibly

We caught up with VSO’s Responsible Volunteering Specialist to find out how she's raising awareness about orphange ‘voluntourism’ and responsible volunteering.

Ethiopian children sat in a class, smiling and clapping their hands

5 ways we're helping children with disabilities in Ethiopia

With your help, VSO is assisting the Ethiopian government with improving education in the underdeveloped region of Benishangul-Gumuz. Focusing on marginalised and indigenous communities, children with disabilities now have the opportunity to receive an education. From buying hearing aids to building ramps, see how your donations are making a difference.