Cuso International West

Marian came from Prince Edward Island. She studied at UPEI got in a degree in arts and Education. She was posted Wamba, Nigeria at Wamba Government teachers college.She remembers her students teaching under a tree and writing in the sand with sticks. Volunteer for a better world! Join CUSO-VSO, share skills and volunteer in 43 countries in Africa, Asia, the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean. Volunteers, donate, share skills.www.cuso-vso.org

Dan Garvey had retired from a career in Educational Administration in Alberta. With the help of family and friends he was able to serve in The Gambia for 6 months in 2009. The Gambia in order to meet the ojectives of the Millenium Development Goals has almost 90% of primary aged children in schools. This has caused a real challenge on the infrastructures of schools. Overcrowding and lack of supplies and educators.Dan challenged his Church to help in the region as well.Dan cant thank his family more for giving him the support to fulfill his goal. He continues to support programs in The Gambia.Thanks Dan. Volunteer for a better world! Join CUSO-VSO, share skills and volunteer in 43 countries in Africa, Asia, the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean. Volunteers, donate, share skills.www.cuso-vso.org

Kelly worked with the Peace way foundation in Thailand also called Burma Issues. Her job? Help build capacity and a strategy for the Karen.The Karen (Burmese: kayin lu myo:), self-titled Pwa Ka Nyaw Po, and also known in Thailand as the Kariang (or Yang, are some languages and many ethnic groups in Burma and Thailand. The Karen make up approximately 7 percent of the total Burmese population of 47 million people.[1]The Karen have fought for independence from Burma since 31 January 1949. Consequently, 31 January is recognized amongst the Karen as Karen Revolution Day.Kelly now works with Service Canada on Homelessness Partnering Strategy. Welcome home Kelly! Volunteer for a better world! Join CUSO-VSO, share skills and volunteer in 43 countries in Africa, Asia, the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean. Volunteers, donate, share skills.www.cuso-vso.org

'Kwehsay' Miku Chaiboosomjid works from Bangkok as the Information and Campaign Coordinator with the Burma Issues/Peace Way Foundation. Burma Issues is a non-profit organisation, made up of young ethnic people from Eastern Burma who now dedicate their lives to educating and empowering the grassroots communities in Eastern Burma, documenting human rights abuses and acting as a bridge between the grassroots communities and the international community. The organization has 3 main projects.• Grassroots empowerment: educating and empowering communities in Burma's civil war zones. Providing education to both adults and children in concepts of civil participation, leadership, critical thinking, and cultural pride • Information for action: documenting the human rights abuses through interviews, videos and photography • Campaigns for peace: raising awareness amongst the international community about the situation Initially through partnership with CUSO-VSO and VSO International, Burma Issues had access to learn skills on documenting human rights violation with video documentation and advocacy in the middle of year 2003. Later on VSO International enabled us to work with and cooperate with more ethnic human rights organization for human rights activities and to cooperate in the field of youth and women and youth empowerment and capacity building. A brief biography of Kwehsay in his own words:My name is Kwehsay and I was born in Karen State Burma. My village was destroyed by the Burmese Army in 1976. We had to live in the jungle. My father was killed by the Burmese Army three months before my mother gave birth to my youngest sister. I had no friends to play with and no school to go to and no health care when we got sick. I had no food some times and have to go the jungle to find edible food for our survival. My mother planned many times to kill herself and to kill us as she did not want to see her children starve to death and she did not want to see us alive after she died from starvation. As you are not in this kind of situation it will be difficult for you to relate.I came to the Thai Burma border in 1983 to stay with my uncle for my education. Again the Burma Army attack and occupied the place and I have to move to Thailand and live in the refugee camp in April 1984. I live in the refugee camp for ten year. No freedom.I went back to my village area several times between 1990 and 1993 to visit my mother and I have seen that thing have not changed to the better situation. In 1994 I started working with Burma Issues as I believe in its ideology and concept in finding the solution of the conflict in Burma in a peaceful and non-violent way. I started working as the Human Rights information collector in my own village area and provide basic human rights training to the local villagers. When I work as the human rights information collector I did take photos and document my own house which has been burned down by the Burmese Army.…We believe in justice and peace and we hope you all stand with us.We are calling for the respect of human rightsWe do stand for justiceStand with us. More information about Kwehsay's organization is available at www.burmaissues.org Volunteer for a better world! Join CUSO-VSO, share skills and volunteer in 43 countries in Africa, Asia, the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean. Volunteers, donate, share skills.www.cuso-vso.org

Margo was at McGill University in the arts building when she saw a poster for CUSO. She had studied Theatre and Children's Theatre. She was assigned to a boys boarding school called the Government Science College.60 Canadians were sent at the same time as Margo.Margo tells me that this assignment was life changing. The people in her host town were direct, immediate and warm.Margo is a storyteller and much more. It was wonderful meeting you. Margo took the pod casting course at University of Victoria. We look forward to her many stories. Stay tuned. Volunteer for a better world! Join CUSO-VSO, share skills and volunteer in 43 countries in Africa, Asia, the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean. Volunteers, donate, share skills.www.cuso-vso.org

"Choosing our Destiny- Creating the Utopian World in the 21st Century" by Cyril Belshaw.Dr. Belshaw continues to think of the world and the challenges we face with some very interesting ideas for solutions.Thanks Dr. Belshaw for this interesting interview and thanks Darlene Gage for joining me.Volunteer for a better world! Join CUSO-VSO, share skills and volunteer in 43 countries in Africa, Asia, the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean. Volunteers, donate, share skills.www.cuso-vso.org

From Ian Smillie's book - The Land of Lost Content"CUSO's involvement with the Kampuchean refugees began almost by accident, as had its involvement in Thailand during the 1960's: as in other countries, too, CUSO's work in the 'Land of Smiles' originated with one ofthe men involved in the founding of CUSO: Dr. Cyril Belshaw. Director of the Regional Training Centre for the United Nations at The University of British Columbia in 1960, Belshaw was actively involved in the President's Committee for a Canadian Overseas Student Service. Thorough contacts with Lewis Perinbaum and Francis Leddy, he attended the first planning meeting in March 1961 to discuss the idea of a national organization. The following June, at the founding meeting in Montreal, Belshaw seconded the motion which led to the first draft constitution of CUSO. In 1965, however , he was in Thailand , working with the United Nations Technical assistance Board in Bangkok. Seeing the British and American volunteers at work, and aware of the country's manpower gas, he wrote to Ottawa, suggesting that CUSO investigate program possibilities."Darlene Gage who has recently returned from service in Uganda joined me for this interview.Dr. Belshaw won the Utopian World Championship in 2004. Photo from the booklet of the awards ceremony. It appears that Dr. Belshaw continues to think of International Development. This was an enlightening meeting.Volunteer for a better world! Join CUSO-VSO, share skills and volunteer in 43 countries in Africa, Asia, the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean. Volunteers, donate, share skills.www.cuso-vso.org

When Pat Philips left to serve in family planning in India she had already worked one year in the North and two years in Africa. He long connection to international development continued for many years with CIDA, CARE and Unitarian services committee.From Nepal, Indonesia, Bangladesh, and many more countries. Listen to a lifetime of volunteer service. Thanks Pat!Volunteer for a better world! Join CUSO-VSO, share skills and volunteer in 43 countries in Africa, Asia, the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean. Volunteers, donate, share skills.www.cuso-vso.org

Assigned to two unique projects in Fort Portal, Uganda. Darlene worked for the Ruwenzori Forum for Peace and Justice and jeans with the Toro botanical gardens .A couple doing an amazing job. Welcome home.Volunteer for a better world! Join CUSO-VSO, share skills and volunteer in 43 countries in Africa, Asia, the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean. Volunteers, donate, share skills.www.cuso-vso.org

Bob Sutton left Saskatchewan 2 years ago and is serving in Honduras. I know that he loves the people, forests, food, language and so much more. Bob is working on the model forest program.Listen to him tell us about his work in Honduras.Volunteer for a better world! Join CUSO-VSO, share skills and volunteer in 43 countries in Africa, Asia, the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean. Volunteers, donate, share skills.www.cuso-vso.org

When I met Greg Spira he was a consultant working with NGO's in communications and public consultation in B.C. Canada. They applied February and in 8 months they are ready to leave. I wish them well in their work with HIV/AIDS.Volunteer for a better world! Join CUSO-VSO, share skills and volunteer in 43 countries in Africa, Asia, the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean. Volunteers, donate, share skills.www.cuso-vso.org

Bob Sutton is a forester and instructor from Marcelin Saskatchewan. He has served in Honduras for 2 years in the model forest program.Bob talks with Dieudonne Alemagi, PhD, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Faculty of Forestry, UBC about model forests and community forestry in Honduras and Cameroon.Bob works in the Department of Atlantida on the north coast of Honduraswww.imfn.netwww.bosquesmodelo.netwww.bmatlantida.orgVolunteer for a better world! Join CUSO-VSO, share skills and volunteer in 43 countries in Africa, Asia, the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean. Volunteers, donate, share skills.www.cuso-vso.org

Lewis Perinbam was the first ED of CUSO and went on to serve for 22 years with CIDA and so much more.Lewis Perinbam was "Canada's gift to International Development"Lewis Perinbam, who was born in Malaysia in 1925 and educated in Scotland, immigrated to Canada as a young man. He was founding Executive Director of the Canadian University Service Overseas, (now merged with VSO Canada to form CUSO-VSO), and for many years was Executive Director of the World University Service of Canada. He joined the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) in 1969, and served as Vice-President of CIDA for 17 years. Lewis Perinbam was made an Officer of the Order of Canada in 1998. The citation described him as “one of this country's most outstanding visionaries in the field of international development. … [H]e offers fresh insights into the relationships between developing countries and our own. He has launched numerous international aid programmes, which have harnessed the energies of governments, private industry, community groups and churches. Highly respected by his colleagues, he has advanced many ideas that have become models for other donor countries.”http://www.col.org/about/Board/bformer/Pages/lperinbam.aspxVolunteer for a better world! Join CUSO-VSO, share skills and volunteer in 43 countries in Africa, Asia, the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean. Volunteers, donate, share skills.www.cuso-vso.org

Nancy Garrett was recruited in 1967 from New York where she had completed her training at Columbia to become a nurse. She went to York University for her orientation and headed out with others such as Vicki Henry, Janet Harold and Carol Gagnion to name a few.She was posted to the Hariama estate family centre. 2 weeks of Hindustani training and then some private tutoring to learn the language Working with Dr. Vasudeva at the family planning training centre.She heard Lewis Perinbam speak at her orientation. She later met him in India and their lives were connected. Listen to her story.NANCY RUTH GARRETT R.N., BSc.,MPH Canadian, Nancy Garrett, following nursing education in Vancouver received a BSc (Columbia University. N.Y.) a Masters in Public Health/Population Planning (Univ. Michigan); Certificate in Evaluation (Ottawa Univ.), Ottawa. She has lived and worked in North America, Europe, Australia, Asia and Africa and did consulting in Peru. She has worked in five languages, for private, government, and voluntary sectors in service, management, teaching and research. Professional activities include teaching community health, epidemiology, and research methods at the Universite de Quebec, (Hull, P.Q.); Research officer; and Director of Professional Services for the Canadian Nurses Association. She has presented papers at national and international gatherings and published in (French and English) in books and journals on research and issues ranging from smoking to immunization, AIDS, breastfeeding and health care training in developing countries. International development work has included teaching and service in Haryana State programs in India; Director-Medical for CUSO-India programs; Pediatric Associate- Nursing for Harvard Medical School Project in Maternal and Child Health at Cameroon's Centre Universitaire des Sciences de la Sante; Health Specialist for CIDA. Numerous consultancies include those for the International Planned Parenthood Federation; CIDA, CUSO, and Programme Officer for the International Development Research Centre (Ottawa). She has also served on boards of directors, and advisory councils for various organizations; research, selection, and technical committees. She lives in Vancouver and is involved in local, national and international organizations including the Canadian Society for International Health and the Canadian International Council and the Royal Commonwealth Society. Current activities include trustee for International Development Award, UBC School of Nursing Advisory Council (international development education) and community work with arts and culture organizations to assist and promote arts, heritage and cultural exchange. Volunteer for a better world! Join CUSO-VSO, share skills and volunteer in 43 countries in Africa, Asia, the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean. Volunteers, donate, share skills.www.cuso-vso.org

'Where Credit is Due' is a short piece on microcredit and the bankrolling of economic hope. It features case studies of village micro-loan programs in Ghana.A longer version can be heard here. Produced by CUSO-VSO staff Sean Kelly.Volunteer for a better world! Join CUSO-VSO, share skills and volunteer in 43 countries in Africa, Asia, the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean.Support our work: www.cuso-vso.org