Cuso International West

Michael arrived to meet me with his Professor of History, John Conway, on his bicycle. John too rides a bicycle very often. These two individuals were important in the international development scene that started at UBC in 1960. Keith Spicer was working at the same time at U of T. CUSO officially formed in 1961 at a meeting of Universities at McGill.Michael reads the letter he and Brian Marson wrote to the then President McKenzie of UBC. He dropped the letter off at President McKenzie's home. He wasn't home and Mrs. McKenzie put the letter of the President's pillow.His response was to call a meeting and the ball began to roll. 2011 will mark CUSO's 50th anniversay. 12,000 volunteers later, over 25 million volunteer hours, many staff, the support of CIDA and many donors. Thank you all ! These days I meet youth that tell me that their parents served with CUSO and they want to join CUSO-VSO.What a legacy!Cyril Belshaw, Lewis Perinbaum and so many more participated. The Vancouver Sun supported their first fund raising efforts.Michael has gone on to continue to make a difference in the world and recently was awarded the order of Canada. He thanks Professor Conway for inspiring him. It was simply wonderful having tea with them. Thank you gentlemen for all your work.Read: The Land of Lost Content- A History of CUSO by Ian Smillie for more informationCUSO-VSOVolunteer for a better world! Share Skills volunteers in 43 Countries-Bangladesh, Bolivia, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cameroon, China, El Salvador,Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Guatemala ,Ghana, Guyana, Honduras, India, Jamaica, Indonesia, Kenya, Laos, Malawi, Maldives, Mongolia, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal , Nigeria, Pakistan, Paua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Rwanda, Sierra, Leone, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Uganda, Vanuatu, Vietnam, Zambia and Zimbabwe.Support our workwww.cuso-vso.org

Michael Clague and Brian Marson wrote to President of UBC McKenzie and initiated the first meeting of "CUSO west"Professor Cryril Belshaw and many more were to participate in sending the first 2 volunteers from BC. The two home economists who were posted to Ghana were from UBC. In June 1961 Jocelyn King and Judy Foote left on assignment.Recipient of the Order of Canada- Michael Clague is described as compassionate, innovative and committed, Michael Clague has been tireless in his efforts to improve the lives of society's most disadvantaged members. For decades, he worked in community development at the local, provincial and national levels. He is perhaps best known as the driving force behind Vancouver's Britannia Community Service Centre, and as the creative, resourceful former head of the Carnegie Community Centre, in the troubled Downtown Eastside. Bringing diverse interests together, particularly through arts programming, he supported the efforts of residents to strengthen their sense of community and possibility.Read: The Land of Lost Content- A History of CUSO by Ian Smillie and learn more CUSO-VSOVolunteer for a better world! Share Skills volunteers in 43 Countries-Bangladesh ,Bolivia, Faso, Cambodia, Cameroon, China, El Salvador,Eritrea, Ethiopia,Gambia, Guatemala ,Ghana, Guyana, Honduras, India, Jamaica, Indonesia, Kenya, Laos, Malawi, Maldives, Mongolia, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal ,Nigeria, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Rwanda, Sierra, Leone,South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Uganda, Vanuatu, Vietnam, Zambia and Zimbabwe.Support our workwww.cuso-vso.org

CUSO-VSOVolunteer for a better world! Share Skills volunteers in 43 Countries-Bangladesh, Bolivia, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cameroon, China, El Salvador, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Guatemala, Ghana, Guyana, Honduras, India, Jamaica, Indonesia, Kenya, Laos, Malawi, Maldives, Mongolia, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Rwanda, Sierra, Leone, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Uganda, Vanuatu, Vietnam, Zambia and Zimbabwe.Support our workwww.cuso-vso.org

Carlos Molina lifetime of education ,discovery and sharing of skills.He immigrated from Chile in 1974 at the age of 22. He was an Electrical Engineer and then became an Electrician first class working on major Nuclear and Hydro projects. He changed careers to Social work and then worked for Federal Immigration in Enforcement then back to the Petrochemical industry. He became an adult education instructor, served in Chile in the copper mines. Then joined BCIT Adult education program. He is now the Manager of International relations at BCIT. An almost empty nester he and his wife decided "to do the things we always wanted to do, give back"A reverse brain drain. Carlos will be leaving soon for Lima , Peru. Listen to why he decided to join CUSO-VSO.We wish you all the best on your 6 month assignment. Keep in touch!CUSO-VSOVolunteer for a better world! Share Skills volunteers in 43 Countries-Bangladesh, Bolivia, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cameroon, China, El Salvador, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Guatemala, Ghana, Guyana, Honduras, India, Jamaica, Indonesia, Kenya, Laos, Malawi, Maldives, Mongolia, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Rwanda, Sierra, Leone, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Uganda, Vanuatu, Vietnam, Zambia and Zimbabwe.Support our workwww.cuso-vso.org

People like John Conway were instrumental in the founding a volunteer program at UBC. It was a part of what became CUSO in 1961.Hear the story!Read:The Land of Lost Content- A History of CUSO by Ian SmilliePhoto: John in the very room where it all beganCUSO-VSOVolunteer for a better world! Share Skills volunteers in 43 Countries-Bangladesh, Bolivia, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cameroon, China, El Salvador, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Guatemala, Ghana, Guyana, Honduras, India, Jamaica, Indonesia, Kenya, Laos, Malawi, Maldives, Mongolia, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Rwanda, Sierra, Leone, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Uganda, Vanuatu, Vietnam, Zambia and Zimbabwe.Support our workwww.cuso-vso.org

Vini Bhansali went o Kenya with Dawn from the US. She serves on the CUSO-VSO Board. The service working with youth polytechnics transformed her life and career. Thanks Vini for serving on the Board and continued support.Photo Dawn and ViniVini lives in San Francisco.CUSO-VSOVolunteer for a better world! Share Skills volunteers in 43 Countries-Bangladesh, Bolivia, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cameroon, China, El Salvador, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Guatemala, Ghana, Guyana, Honduras, India, Jamaica, Indonesia, Kenya, Laos, Malawi, Maldives, Mongolia, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Rwanda, Sierra, Leone, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Uganda, Vanuatu, Vietnam, Zambia and Zimbabwe.Support our workwww.cuso-vso.org

Dawn served in Kenya in a small community. Dawn lives in San Francisco. Listen to her tell about her service for 2 years and how it contributed to her work today in the health sector.CUSO-VSOVolunteer for a better world! Share Skills volunteers in 43 Countries-Bangladesh, Bolivia, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cameroon, China, El Salvador, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Guatemala, Ghana, Guyana, Honduras, India, Jamaica, Indonesia, Kenya, Laos, Malawi, Maldives, Mongolia, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Rwanda, Sierra, Leone, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Uganda, Vanuatu, Vietnam, Zambia and Zimbabwe.Support our workwww.cuso-vso.org

Shirley and George sat down at the Kebab hut in Vancouver and talked with Nareena Switlo and Dave Cricton about volunteering. Dave's parents Colin and Margaret Cricton served with CUSO in the 1970's in Nigeria.CUSO-VSOVolunteer for a better world! Share Skills volunteers in 43 Countries-Bangladesh, Bolivia, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cameroon, China, El Salvador, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Guatemala, Ghana, Guyana, Honduras, India, Jamaica, Indonesia, Kenya, Laos, Malawi, Maldives, Mongolia, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Rwanda, Sierra, Leone, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Uganda, Vanuatu, Vietnam, Zambia and Zimbabwe.Support our workwww.cuso-vso.org

Stephen Owen has had a distinguished career and served with his wife with CUSO. Hear his story.A former Member of Parliament of Canada for Vancouver Quadra, Stephen Owen was appointed Vice President, External, Legal and Community Relations of The University of British Columbia on August 15, 2007.Stephen Owen was first elected to Parliament in November 2000, and re-elected in June 2004 and January 2006. In government, he served as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice, Secretary of State for Indian Affairs and Northern Development, Minister of Public Works and Government Services and Receiver General for Canada, Minister of Western Economic Diversification and Minister of Sport.Prior to his election to Parliament, Stephen Owen was the David Lam Professor of Law and Public Policy and Director of the Institute for Dispute Resolution at the University of Victoria; Commissioner and Vice President of the Law Commission of Canada; Deputy Attorney General, Commissioner of Resources and Environment, Ombudsman and Executive Director for Legal Services Society of British Columbia; and a practicing lawyer.Stephen Owen has advised numerous governments and international institutions in Asia, Africa, Latin America and Eastern Europe on issues of human rights, governance, conflict resolution and environmental sustainability. He has investigated security force killings in apartheid South Africa, Northern Ireland/Gibraltar, Somalia, Kosovo and Cambodia.As Vice President, External, Legal and Community Relations at UBC, Stephen Owen's responsibilities include government and international relations, University legal counsel, public affairs and communications, University community engagement, the Robson Square Campus, the Learning Exchange and 2010 Olympics.Stephen Owen received a J.D. from UBC, a LL.M. from UCL, University of London, and a M.B.A. from the University of Geneva.www.publicaffairs.ubc.ca/externalaffairs//owen/ CUSO-VSOVolunteer for a better world! Share Skills volunteers in 43 Countries-Bangladesh, Bolivia, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cameroon, China, El Salvador, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Guatemala, Ghana, Guyana, Honduras, India, Jamaica, Indonesia, Kenya, Laos, Malawi, Maldives, Mongolia, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Rwanda, Sierra, Leone, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Uganda, Vanuatu, Vietnam, Zambia and Zimbabwe.Support our workwww.cuso-vso.org

I found Randy in Moose Jaw in August. It was a delight meeting him. He had served with CUSO and VSO for over a decade.In 1979, 150 people boarded a plane to serve as volunteers.He taught welding at a school and went on to make a real difference in all the projects he worked on.Thanks Randy. He is looking for others that were on assignment at the same time.CUSO-VSOVolunteer for a better world! Share Skills volunteers in 43 Countries-Bangladesh, Bolivia, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cameroon, China, El Salvador, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Guatemala, Ghana, Guyana, Honduras, India, Jamaica, Indonesia, Kenya, Laos, Malawi, Maldives, Mongolia, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Rwanda, Sierra, Leone, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Uganda, Vanuatu, Vietnam, Zambia and Zimbabwe.Support our workwww.cuso-vso.org

Bill Warner was working in Government and volunteered mid career. He went to Vanuatu. Such an interesting experience. He went back to see the people and project recently.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

It was a delight meeting Robert. He is a Professor emeritus University of Regina. He met his Peace Corps wife on assignment.He went back many years later to the place he served. Thanks Professor McLaren, that was a great interview!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

It was wonderful to finally meet Kerrie who has spent a long time of service as a staff member as well as a volunteer with her husband. Hear her thoughts and experiences.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

Edith traveled to Ghana with her two children as a Diaspora volunteerListen to how she adapted and helped the community, found a project she could work on and all the special activities she led.Edith is innovative, creative and a wonderful example of service to her community in Canada as well as Ghana. Thanks Edith.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

Alumni from Regina introduce themselves. Join SCIC and work with many dedicated groups.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