 |
Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) –
295 staff, over 2,000 volunteers
Training volunteers to deal with risk
VSO volunteers share their skills and experience with
communities in the developing world, and usually spend
two years abroad; this could mean teaching maths in
Namibia or developing healthcare in Latvia.
VSO volunteers don't go into very unstable countries
or conflict areas, and are removed if a country becomes
volatile – VSO certainly doesn't see the work that
it does as risky. But there have been some recent cases
of aid workers and volunteers being killed or injured
whilst working abroad. So how can VSO prepare its volunteers
for what they might face?
Obviously, training is crucial. Helen Schneider, Training
Manager, explains 'Preparing for Change' is a pre-departure
training course which helps volunteers recognise their
expectations and concerns about going overseas. We encourage
them to develop strategies to cope with the difficulties
of working away from home in a different culture.
'During the training the new volunteers discuss every
aspect of volunteering abroad, from the risks involved
in sexual relationships, to isolation and cultural sensitivity.
They also imagine worst-case scenarios, which allow
them to discuss fears and risks realistically. Volunteers
are invited to share their concerns, and trainers use
their own personal experiences, as well as case studies
and examples from other volunteers, to illustrate real
issues and coping strategies. They receive further training
when they reach the country where they'll be working.
Gerard Witham volunteered with VSO, teaching English
in Papua New Guinea and Eritrea, and now works for VSO
full-time. 'I contemplated the risks before I went both
professionally as a teacher and personally. When there
I did think about personal security at times. But risk
exists in everyday life, and while overseas I realised
that risk means different things to different people.
'I'm now going to become a trainer on the 'Preparing
for Change' course. As a volunteer you see that life
in a developing country is not just about western headlines
of tragedies and disasters, but about human beings with
the same basic needs as yourself and often the same
aspirations. Now, as a trainer, I can draw on that experience
to help new volunteers.'
^ top of page
|
|
