Cuso International West

In this podcast, Katherine Nickel from Vancouver, BC, reflects on her 13 month placement in Accra, Ghana. She also reveals why her experience has made her stronger and offers advice for future volunteers. Volunteer for a better world! Join CUSO-VSO, share skills and volunteer in Africa, Asia, the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean. Volunteers, donate, share skills.www.cuso-vso.org

At a meet CUSO-VSO event in Vancouver, CUSO-VSO intern Tapuwa Ruzvidzo spoke to Judy Storr who spoke about her wonderful experience as an English teacher in the Maldives from 1997 to 1999. Volunteer for a better world! Join CUSO-VSO, share skills and volunteer in Africa, Asia, the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean. Volunteers, donate, share skills.www.cuso-vso.org

In 1980, Kate Gilchrist served in Nigeria for two years training English teachers. Her experience in Nigeria was life changing and meaningful and she learned more from her students than they learnt from her.Kate shares some of the funny stories that she remembers from her time in Nigeria and reflects on some of the students that she still remembers more than 30 years later. Volunteer for a better world! Join CUSO-VSO, share skills and volunteer in Africa, Asia, the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean. Volunteers, donate, share skills.www.cuso-vso.org

In 2007, John Drover accompanied his wife to Timor where she did work in health promotions for infectious diseases. As an avid gardener, John put his gardening skills to use and taught the curious local children all about growing nutritious plants. In turn, many of the children ended up teaching their friends about how to grow these plants.Johns experience in Timor demonstrates how even small acts can contribute to development.Volunteer for a better world! Join CUSO-VSO, share skills and volunteer in Africa, Asia, the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean. Volunteers, donate, share skills.www.cuso-vso.org

At the meet CUSO-VSO and RV reunion event in Kelowna, we talked to Norma Mackenzie who has volunteered with CUSO-VSO three times!She started in Malawi where she taught for 2 years and also established a library there. Next, she went to Guyana her country of heritage, where she trained teachers at the Guyana Education Access Program for 4 years. She then rounded off her volunteer experience with a two year placement in Ethiopia where she established another library.Norma talks to us about her humbling experiences in the field and explains to us why less is more. Volunteer for a better world! Join CUSO-VSO, share skills and volunteer in Africa, Asia, the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean. Volunteers, donate, share skills.www.cuso-vso.org

In 2010, Tracey Barker moved to Tanzania for 6 months with her family on a short 6 month placement.During her placement, Tracey worked at the Tanzania Aids Forum while her husband worked with young Cancer patients at Ocean Road hospital as a music therapist. Meanwhile, her two daughters in grade 12 and grade 9, took online correspondence courses.In this podcast, Tracey talks about how she and her family adjusted to life in Tanzania and how they are now adjusting to being back in Vancouver.Volunteer for a better world! Join CUSO-VSO, share skills and volunteer in Africa, Asia, the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean. Volunteers, donate, share skills.www.cuso-vso.org

At the meet CUSO-VSO and RV reunion event in Victoria, we talked to Sabine Lehr who served in Rwanda in 2008. She tells us about some of the challenges and obstacles she faced in Rwanda and how she overcame them. Since returning to Canada, Sabine has been lecturing in Community Development at the University of Victoria's School of Public Engagement. This has given her an opportunity to link her volunteer experience with her teaching experience.Sabine's volunteer experience is the perfect example of how the right mind set can help you overcome any challenges!Volunteer for a better world! Join CUSO-VSO, share skills and volunteer in Africa, Asia, the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean. Volunteers, donate, share skills.www.cuso-vso.org

Jamie Kyles has worked in the petroleum business and now retired. His assignment was in East Africa working with coffee farmers. Listen to the innovative ideas that Jamie worked on to improve coffee production.This podcast was recorded during CUSO-VSO's 50th Anniversary in Victoria, BC. CUSO-VSO is proud to honor 15,000 volunteers and 35 million service hours in over 40 countries. The views expressed in these podcasts do not necessarily reflect the views of CUSO-VSO or its supporters. At CUSO-VSO, we believe we are changing the world, one volunteer at a time

Jambiani Tourism Training Institute is part of our Secure Livelihoods Program in Zanzibar, Tanzania. The partner organization is called Hands Across Borders. CUSO-VSO volunteer Nareena Switlo, is training students at JTTI and Anna Kanagana is one of the few female students at JTTI.Anna is originally from Dar es Salaam where she used to work in a hair salon. She decided to enrol at JTTI to learn the practical skills she needs to work in hospitality.CUSO-VSO wishes her the best of luck for her future and hopes that she achieves all of her goals.Volunteer for a better world! Join CUSO-VSO, share skills and volunteer in Africa, Asia, the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean. Volunteers, donate, share skills.www.cuso-vso.org

Jambiani Tourism Training Institute is part of our Secure Livelihoods Program in Zanzibar, Tanzania. The partner organization is called Hands Across Borders. CUSO-VSO volunteer Nareena Switlo, is training students at JTTI and Umu is one of her students.Umu is one of the only female students at JTTI. After finishing high school, Umu decided to enrol at JTTI to learn the skills she needs to work in hospitality. Her ultimate goal however, is to run her own business.Umu is not intimidated by the fact that she is one of the only female students at JTTI and she has certainly held her own. We aremore than positive that her strong determination will lead to the fulfillment of all her goals! Volunteer for a better world! Join CUSO-VSO, share skills and volunteer in Africa, Asia, the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean. Volunteers, donate, share skills.www.cuso-vso.org

Jambiani Tourism Training Institute is part of our Secure Livelihoods Program in Zanzibar, Tanzania. The partner organization is called Hands Across Borders. CUSO-VSO volunteer Nareena Switlo, is training students at JTTI and Mzali is one of her students.Mzali is unique among the other JTTI students because he already has a background in the hospitality industry having previously been a hotel receptionist. However, in an effort to improve on his skills, Mzali decided to enroll at JTTI and he is currently in his 2nd year.He has also saved up some money with the intention of opening his own cafe once he completes his studies at JTTI.We are sure that with his combination of ambition and intelligence, Mzali is well on his way to running a successful cafe in Zanzibar.Volunteer for a better world! Join CUSO-VSO, share skills and volunteer in Africa, Asia, the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean. Volunteers, donate, share skills.www.cuso-vso.org

CUSO-VSO intern Tapuwa Ruzvidzo, speaks to Canadian couple Carla and Dave fresh off their return from their overseas placement in Kenya. The couple talks about their most memorable experiences as well as some of the challenges and obstacles they faced. Volunteer for a better world! Join CUSO-VSO, share skills and volunteer in Africa, Asia, the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean. Volunteers, donate, share skills.www.cuso-vso.org

Jambiani Tourism Training Institute is part of our Secure Livelihoods Program in Zanzibar, Tanzania. The partner organization is called Hands Across Borders.CUSO-VSO volunteer Nareena Switlo, is training students at JTTI and Hassani is one of her students. Hassani tells us about the path that led him from selling art to tourists on the beach, to JTTI where he is currently in his first year.We're sure Nareena learnt as much from Hassani as he did from her and CUSO wishes him the best of luck for his future!Volunteer for a better world! Join CUSO-VSO, share skills and volunteer in Africa, Asia, the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean. Volunteers, donate, share skills.www.cuso-vso.org

Ian Smillie, conflict diamond expert and former executive director of CUSO-VSO, talks to us about the bloody global diamond trade and how his interest in this issue began with his experience as a CUSO volunteer in Sierra Leone in 1967.Volunteer for a better world! Join CUSO-VSO, share skills and volunteer in Africa, Asia, the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean. Volunteers, donate, share skills.www.cuso-vso.org

Jambiani Tourism Training Institute is part of our Secure Livelihoods Program in Zanzibar, Tanzania. The partner organization is called Hands Across Borders.CUSO-VSO volunteer Nareena Switlo, is training students at JTTI and Hamid Kassim is one of her students.Hamid is currently in his first year of a two year diploma program in Hotel Managment. He talks about his studies so far and tells us his goal to be an accountant and to own his own hotel.Hamid is well on his way to achieving his goals and ambitions and we look forward to seeing him graduate with honors!Volunteer for a better world! Join CUSO-VSO, share skills and volunteer in Africa, Asia, the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean. Volunteers, donate, share skills.www.cuso-vso.org