Testimonials
Want to know more about what it’s like to volunteer? Read what other volunteers have to say…
Name: Anni
Age: 21
Hometown: Sydney, Australia
Volunteer job: English and Maths Teacher
Anni says: “Volunteering in Uganda was amazing. I learnt so many new things every day and my eyes were constantly opened to new issues and also new creative ways of helping. I have such a different perspective on life and what is really important. ... I am so much more aware of the problems and also the importance of understanding the culture and language and way of life when wanting to make a difference in a place like Uganda. I feel I have taken a big step into the future and am looking forward to what’s ahead for me.
"VSN provides support that really is vital for new volunteers in a culture entirely different from their own. Individual volunteering in a place like that can be very overwhelming and it’s important to have the right support so that it turns out to be a positive experience not only for the volunteer but also for the organisations they are volunteering for. VSN has chosen projects that need assistance and support and will ensure that you can use your talents/skills effectively. VSN is also highly professional and help is always available when needed. VSN provides essential cultural training which helps a lot in knowing how to respond to different situations. It is overall a wonderful organisation that is truly equipping individuals to work effectively and positively in a place that desperately needs it. I would definitely recommend VSN to anyone”.
Achievements: As a student teacher, Anni was able to share new strategies for classroom and behaviour management which are now being used by her colleagues.
Name: Michelle
Age: 28
Hometown: Florida, USA
Volunteer job: Counselor and Social Work Assistant
Michelle says: “VSN is a first-rate organization with friendly, supportive, and well-informed staff that go above and beyond to ensure your placement is not only appropriate, but ideal. In addition to being so knowledgeable about social issues in the country, VSN is also well connected to various organizations and was able to locate and land a suitable placement that proved to be extremely valuable and complementary. Both parties (my colleagues and myself) learned a great deal from one another. Having the in-country, person-to-person support was also a huge plus.
“Being that VSN is a small agency, it has the capability to – and prides itself on – being able to provide its volunteers with individual support. [My coordinator was] extremely approachable and very knowledgeable. The orientation was above and beyond what I would have expected – extremely helpful.
“It’s broadened my horizons... I have grown as an individual, and had the opportunity to learn/experience/share many techniques and ideas relative to my field. Learning about/living in a new culture, interacting with/living alongside the local people alone, was an amazing experience. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!”
Achievements: Michelle's experience in counseling was an enormous asset in assisting local Social Workers in northern Uganda to plan and deliver group therapy sessions for bereaved and war-affected youth.
Name: Sarah
Age: 22
Hometown: New York, USA
Volunteer job: Photographer
Sarah says: “It really surpassed my expectations. The role of VSN was incredibly important, and appreciated... I loved that I was able to really get to know a lot of people in the community. The support and direction they provide is really good, especially in comparison to some of the other organisations. I’ve travelled before, and lived abroad, but I don’t think I’ve ever felt so connected to a foreign community as I did here. I would definitely recommend VSN to other volunteers. The support is really good, and the connections they have with other organisations is really helpful.”
Achievements: Sarah took some stunning photos for a number of different NGOs and projects. Her work is already being used to help them in their fundraising and publicity material.
Name: Kate
Age: 22
Hometown: New South Wales, Australia
Volunteer job: Health Educator and Teaching Assistant
Kate says: “VSN was very comprehensive in their support - well organised, personable, passionate about providing a positive experience for both volunteers and the placement organisation, good local knowledge/experience, [and] provides a good combination of support and independence.
“What really made it stand out to me was that it was personal- I spoke to a real person who personally answered my emails. It was nice to know that when we arrived we would be greeted by a friend not a stranger. I found VSN to be very supportive and encouraging. It was great to have a guide who was familiar with both my own culture and the culture I was entering into. VSN taught us not only about the local culture but also about how to become more culturally aware- a valuable lesson. VSN arranged our accommodation (clean and safe), picked us up at the airport, showed us where good local food could be bought and taught us what a boda-boda ride should cost! VSN organised our placement in grassroots organisations- matching our skills with their needs, I found both placements to be very friendly and welcoming. VSN helped to negotiate with our placements what work we would be doing, this was particularly good as communication leading to mutual understanding was difficult in the beginning.
“I found VSN to be an organisation of great integrity and sincere compassion- a solid foundation.
The placement itself was a journey of self recognition and growth, [and I had] a very rewarding, enlightening and valuable experience.”
Achievements: As well as assisting with reading support and childcare, Kate drew on her medical experience to provide valuable Health education, first aid and hygiene lessons to children and staff.
Name: Samantha
Age: 21
Hometown: Arlington, VA, USA
Volunteer job: HIV Project Coordinator
Samantha says: “VSN is a really great organisation. It was very helpful ... to be able to talk to someone about the tasks at hand. I likely would not have found a legitimate organisation to volunteer for had it not been for VSN. [My skills] were put to good use at many points. I was able to have some creativity and control. At the same time, there were also many firsts for me. I really did enjoy working with people my age, helping them establish themselves, and I enjoyed learning things from them that I don’t think I could have learned from those older than me, or from children. Being here has made me more certain that I want my life work to be dedicated to helping those who are living in conditions that no human should experience.
“VSN is a great organisation. It gives you the guidance that is pretty necessary if you really hope to accomplish something, especially if you only have a limited amount of time.”
Achievements: Samantha was able to use her skills to research and link with a number of HIV programs to coordinate free HIV education to the local youth group, and organize a huge HIV sensitization event in the slums, where 400 people volunteered for free HIV testing and counseling.
Name: Kelli
Age: 27
Hometown: New York, USA
Volunteer job: Finance Assistant
Kelli says: “VSN is an organization that provides superior service, specifically when it comes to in-country orientation and daily assistance. I found the orientation to be very useful. As I went through my time in Uganda and spoke to other volunteers that did not have an orientation (and they voiced struggles they had gone through), I realized how helpful it had been.
“I enjoyed that I was able to get involved in every aspect of the organization I worked with. From making high--level suggestions to management to visiting families at their homes to working with the kids directly during the Holiday program. My eyes have been opened beyond my wildest imagination to the struggles of the people of Africa and the many hurdles faced by foreign aid to help in a meaningful way.”
Achievements: Kelli's extensive experience in Finance and Management helped the local NGO to develop their organisational structure, policies and procedures, in order to better deliver their programmes in the local slum.
Name: Joe
Age: 30
Hometown: London, England
Volunteer job: Economic Development Trainer
Joe says: “I came out to Africa with the vague idea of volunteering for someone, somewhere, at some point. When I found VSN it sounded ideal. I’ve never been away by myself before and was feeling pretty intimidated by it all. Sarah (who basically is VSN) has been amazing, really understanding and conscious of the highs and lows a volunteer can go through, and she’s been really helpful working out where I’ll be of most help while I’m here. I think that’s one of the most important things for me. Everyone has been most welcoming and appreciative… I was feeling a bit unsure of my ability to be of use but as I have progressed I feel more sure of myself. I feel very privileged to be experiencing a lot of the things that I am”.
Achievements: One of the organisations Joe worked with received a large grant of $100,000 with his support on proposal writing and donor relations.
Below are some extracts from Joe’s final evaluation…
VSN: What is your impression of VSN?
Joe: Great idea, really well organised, good at suggesting where to work.
VSN: In regards to your job objectives, do you feel that VSN / partner organisation staff gave you enough direction in what you were to accomplish?
Joe: Yes, definitely.
VSN: Do you feel the cost of the placement was appropriate? Why or why not?
Joe: Yes, considering I would never have sorted out the experience / links with charities by myself.
VSN: Would you recommend VSN to other volunteers? Why or why not?
Joe: Definitely, it’s a really good set up and seems like it could cater for a whole range of different folk with different experience / skills.
VSN: What aspects of your work were the most challenging?
Joe: Time management, the fact that the best laid plans were subject to change at the last minute, lack of power and access to internet.
VSN: What recommendations would you give to other volunteers?
Joe: Be realistic in your plans of what you want to achieve in the timeframe you give yourself, and really push to stick to the plan, remind people gently you’re not here forever and so on.
Name: Erin
Age: 24
Hometown: Lake Charles, LA, USA
Volunteer job: Administrative Assistant
Erin says: “The international staff that you will be working with is committed to the organisations they support, and committed to your effectiveness in those organisations. Before I arrived I was terrified of not being accepted or getting in the way more than I would help. By the time I left, it wasn’t about me at all. I left with a greater compassion ... and privileged that they shared their family and life with me for a brief moment.... It is a great experience to work with people that want to help themselves. .... [The best thing about volunteering was] being able to experience what it was like to live in another culture. I didn’t feel like I was just there as a volunteer; I felt like I was family. ... I was able to see the intricate insides of an NGO, how they operate, and how the money is spent. Hands down, seeing the hope of the people and working side by side with them was the best.... I care about polices and laws and world events that I never cared about before. My world is so much bigger. My bad times never seem quite so bad anymore. And I learned how to really rejoice in a time of suffering from the people in Uganda. I have a much deeper appreciation for water, electricity, and education. In fact, I have decided to go back to school, because I realize the opportunity I am given I should not take for granted. I left everything I knew behind including family and friends, and now I know, I could do it again.”
Achievements: Erin initiated and developed a number of office procedures and systems which proved invaluable in improving the smooth running of the programme.
Name: Karl
Age: 26
Hometown: Seattle, WA, USA
Volunteer job: Logistics Intern
Karl says: “I spent three months working with some of the most amazing people. I had the opportunity to help out with the implementation of over one million dollars, which went into development of secondary schools. This was an amazing experience … I wasn't too sure what I was getting myself into but when I started to work I was given such respect, which meant a lot. I loved working side by side with people who had so much passion. … Volunteering in Uganda is like nothing else. It will challenge a person more than they ever thought they could be challenged. It is also extremely humbling because coming from the Western work world we think we know how to do everything right…and that is so far from the truth! Volunteering in Uganda is life changing.”
Achievements: Karl's experience in construction greatly contributed to improving monitoring procedures in the field and minimizing corruption.
Name: Jamie
Age: 26
Hometown: San Diego, California, USA
Volunteer job: Administrative Assistant
Jamie says: “As a volunteer, I was given worthwhile assignments and creative opportunities that effectively contributed to the organisation's goals. … I will never forget this place nor the experiences and skills gained. …To volunteer under Sarah's [VSN Director] expertise is to know that your mental and emotional capacity will be stretched, you will feel accomplished, and you will have fun. Sarah is a perfect balance of expertise, wisdom, stirring opinion and a laid back attitude outside of work.”
Achievements: Jamie was able to use his enormous creativity in event planning, proposal writing, and organizing one of the best teambuilding exercises we've ever seen!
