In March 2011 I returned from a six month internship working with Sustainable Cities International and their partner city San Fernando, La Union in the Philippines. My work there centered around helping to develop Integrated Community Solid Waste Management plans within the City. I loved the work that I was doing and the challenges that came with it but I quickly realized that six months in one place was not enough time to build the relationships within the community in order to do the work that needed to be done. When I came across the CUSO International posting I knew I had I found the right fit.
CUSO International believes that lasting change requires more than financial investment. And that is why they direct so much of their effort towards human investment. This allows for their volunteers to share skills in placements that meet the direct requests of their overseas partners.
CUSO-VSO is the North American member of the One Global VSO network, a worldwide partnership of Voluntary Service Organizations (VSOs) based in the UK, the Netherlands, Kenya and the Philippines as well as Canada. These VSO agencies make up the world's largest non-governmental, volunteer-sending development network. This global alliance means that they recruit the best people from around the world, and that the lessons learned in one country can be shared in others.
CUSO-VSO volunteers are working with partner groups on six key development goals:
• secure livelihoods and environmental sustainability
• participation and governance
• education
• HIV/AIDS
• disability
• health
I will be sharing my skills and experience working with Solid Waste Management Systems in Canada and the Philippines. The overall goal of my two year placement is to support and assist the staff of Bappeda in developing a waste management system for Ende city together with the appropriate local government offices. I look forward to working with the various stakeholders to create a waste management system that is inclusive of all stakeholders and that will benefit the community in the long term.
CUSO International believes that lasting change requires more than financial investment. And that is why they direct so much of their effort towards human investment. This allows for their volunteers to share skills in placements that meet the direct requests of their overseas partners.
CUSO-VSO is the North American member of the One Global VSO network, a worldwide partnership of Voluntary Service Organizations (VSOs) based in the UK, the Netherlands, Kenya and the Philippines as well as Canada. These VSO agencies make up the world's largest non-governmental, volunteer-sending development network. This global alliance means that they recruit the best people from around the world, and that the lessons learned in one country can be shared in others.
CUSO-VSO volunteers are working with partner groups on six key development goals:
• secure livelihoods and environmental sustainability
• participation and governance
• education
• HIV/AIDS
• disability
• health
I will be sharing my skills and experience working with Solid Waste Management Systems in Canada and the Philippines. The overall goal of my two year placement is to support and assist the staff of Bappeda in developing a waste management system for Ende city together with the appropriate local government offices. I look forward to working with the various stakeholders to create a waste management system that is inclusive of all stakeholders and that will benefit the community in the long term.
As part of my volunteer role, CUSO International requests that I raise awareness about the organization and help contribute to the costs of volunteer sending. I set myself a goal of 2,000 CAD for my two-year placement.
CUSO International is a registered charity working in the field of International Development. You can donate a few ways:
- Online: Visit my online donation page
- In person: contact me by email or leave a comment and I can arrange to get a copy of the donation form to you.
As a point of reference, each volunteer placement overseas costs CUSO International and VSO approximately $30,000. Your contribution will not go to me directly, but your support ensures that I, and other volunteers like me, will be able to continue living and working to achieve sustainable change in developing countries. When you donate, I will be delighted to keep you regularly posted about life in Indonesia through my blog… or post pictures of you on my office wall and tell everyone about you… or send you home things that I find in the markets of Ende.
Your support of CUSO International and VSO sends skilled volunteers to share their knowledge and experience with the people who need it most – helping the men, women and children living in poverty help themselves out of poverty, and achieve meaningful change.
I hope that you will be inspired by this opportunity to give to such a worthwhile charity.
Sending warm thanks to all!
Meghan
