Hello everyone, thank you for taking the time to read this page!

A bit about VSO (Voluntary Service Overseas) 

I have recently been accepted to take part in one of VSO's fantastic volunteering programs as part of ICS - International Citizen Service where young people ranging from 18-25 years old have the opportunity to volunteer as part of a group of like minded people to make a positive and sustainable impact on the lives of others who have less opportunities than ourselves. 

VSO is the world's leading independent international development organisation who rely on the work of volunteers to fight poverty in developing countries and by raising £1500 the costs of my training, flights, immunisations, visas, insurance, food and board will start to be covered but most importantly you shall be helping to make it possible for me to make a direct impact on the lives of those in a developing country.

Why VSO? 

I first heard about VSO through word of mouth whilst trying to find an organisation that make a positive contribution to some of the world's poorest countries. After discovering that VSO run a program called ICS where you spend 3 months in a developing country helping with a range of Issues from HIV/AIDS awareness to education and youth leadership I started to read more into the program. I was particularly interested when I read that you live with a host family (where possible) which enables the volunteer to completely immerse themselves in another culture and not only help the community they are living in but learn from the people who live their also. Furthermore, on return it is obligatory that the volunteers share their time overseas with their own community and ensure that other people hear and talk about the program so as word of mouth carries on to give others opportunities to go and make a positive, life changing difference for both themselves and others in a developing country.

The story so far... 

After filling out the application form for ICS around the end of April I was very nervous as to whether I would reach the assessment day, however on the 5th of May I received an email congratulating me on getting through the first step and that an assessment day in London would follow.

Living in a small village in highland Perthshire I could not believe that I was heading off to London alone and I'm not sure whether my mum or myself was more worried about me navigating the tube! 

On Wednesday the 13th June I packed my bag - consisting of what I thought were the 'bare necessities' (the oversized weekend bag bursting open told a different story) and got on the sleeper from Dunkeld to London.

As I was unpacking on the train there was a knock at the door and a bashful looking woman politely asked “Am I supposed to be in here, I have never shared on the sleeper before?” I could only presume she was so introduced myself to this fantastic Fiona.  We got chatting about VSO and where she was heading and was soon in awe when she informed me that she had a background in Public heath and was on her way to do a talk at Cambridge the following morning followed by a flight to Zürich to do the same and then home to Australia around a week later. I also left with a book recommendation – ‘The end of poverty, Jeffrey Sachs’ – which I will have to get around to reading!

The train arrived around 07.00am so I attempted to wake up and headed for the tube...

After asking a lady in Euston "Where about is the underground" and her pointing at a sign straight in front of me I knew that I was going to have to be on the ball if I were to arrive in Putney for 8.30am during rush-hour.

After navigating the Victoria and Central lines I got into the way of things and started to relax and enjoy people watching on the tube I realised I was not the only person asking for directions, I even got mistaken for a Londoner myself! 

I arrived at Putney station around 08.00am in plenty of time and took out my VSO map to find out where the interview/assessment day was and glanced over my shoulder to see somebody also staring at a suspiciously similar scrumpled white piece of paper. On noticing each other looking lost we simultaneously went to speak to discover we were both heading to the interview.

The assessment day itself lasted 8 hours, there were 4 assessors and 5 other applicants all of the other applicants living within 2hours of London. Brenda, Sally and Mitch had finished degrees; Tom was still at Uni and Dean was a broker in London – it’s fair to say I felt a little out my depth having only just finished school and started working in a deli until university next year.

The day itself comprised of both group tasks and an hour long individual interview – it was the most terrifying/exciting/intense/eye-opening day I have ever had – especially as it was my first ever interview!

I left VSO headquarters with five new friends and an experience like none other realising that I wanted to be part of VSO more than ever before but that the chances of this were very slim as I felt I had less life experience than the other applicants.

On the train home I still could not believe what a whirlwind of a trip it had been and felt that even if I did not get onto the program I had had an amazing opportunity to experience such an interview and that I had gained many skills within the 8 hours I was there.

 

 

Blog…

18/06/12

I was sent home from work today as I have the Winter Vomiting Bug…During June! Mum came in to check I was okay around six and suggested I checked my emails – I GOT A PLACE ON VSO! I can not believe it, if I could jump out of bed and run around I would but a big grin, cup of tea and a hug from mum is also fantastic.

19/06/12

After receiving the email letting me know that I have been accepted to VSO possible departure dates had to be discussed with the Youth Operations Coordinator, Sarah. However, due to a knee injury obtained earlier this year I am waiting for an operation on the 9 of August followed by 4-6 weeks on Crutches and around 3 months to full recovery meaning I am looking to leave around the end of October / beginning of November.

12/07/12

After many a missed phone call caused by my 1990’s nokia playing up I have been put in contact with a personal fundraising officer and discussed ways of raising my target £1500. Her name is Emma and she is just lovely and she and I ran through possible fundraisers including organising a ceilidh, car wash, cake stall and article for the local papers as possible starters, so keep your eyes open in case of updates on these!

23/07/12

Today I found out that I have been placed in NEPAL and that I shall be leaving on the 1 of November! I am so so excited, what a fantastic place to go and volunteer in. After a quick bit of reading I know that Nepal lies between India and China, covering the Terai lowland plains and Mount Everest in the Himalayas it is the only country not to have a rectangular flag, the majority of the population are Hindu and it has an infant mortality rate of around 50deaths/1000 live births compared to approx. 5deaths/1000live births in the UK. Been to the library to order books!

29/07/12

Put my fundraising leaflets in the deli today. By coincidence two men in charge of their own charity that supports nomadic people in Nepal picked up my leaflet and have given me an email address so as I can get in touch, very exciting! Most of leaflets have gone already and there is £10 in the donation box, will need to get dad on the job of photocopying more – hope this keeps up! Planning on doing an Olympic sweepstake will post further details soon! 

 

30/07/12

Mum and I have been running a small jam factory in the Lancaster residence, 34 jars made (strawb,rasp and rhubarb variations) planning on a stall during a sunny day...is that asking too much? Prices from £2 to £4

31/07/12

Thank you everyone for the donations in the jar at work, got £35 so far - it is true that every little helps! Also doing an olympic sweepstake and the winner gets £50, if you would like to 'buy' a country for £3 just email me : meg-a-tron@hotmail.co.uk

09/08/12

After a long road to recovery since march today was the day of my ACL operation where I could look forward to starting all over again. Stomach grumbling (I wasn't aloud to eat tht morning) and anxiety building I arrived at P.R.I around 10am. The rest of the day is pretty hazy but I do remember mum going crazy because I had not brought a clean nighty to hospital (I had wore it the night before and being a nurse's daughter apparently this is a big 'no go') so she went to asda and bought me another which the ward nurses found hillarious as it was the most unsutable hospital nighty I could have had - atleast they were all having fun!

After 3.5 hours in surgery followed by 3 in recovery I remember waking up a completely different person - the morphine had not had a good effect on me as I sat chatting nonsense to my family and boyfriend about mushroom haircuts and insisting they needed to clear away the non existant wine glass that I was seeing!

I got moved from a private room to the general ward after the first night as it was not anticipated that I would be hanging around as long as I was. Mr Nicoll came in past and like a master of medicine let me know 'the operation had gone according to plan.' There were three other women in the ward and I have to say thanks to them for keeping me constantly entertained for the 2 days as suduko wears thin after 20 of them - especially when you are dizzy.

One of the ladies even got mum and myself mistaken for Johoves Witnesses as mum read 'The Rough Guide to Nepal' aloud as I was to faint to read...apparently it looked awfully like the bible from a distance! 

12/08/12

After supplying endless hours of watching the Olympics are sadly over and WELL DONE team GB! Another well done goes to Harry the winner of the Olympic sweepstake getting £50! Thank you to everyone who took part – it raised £162 minus the £50 prize.

14/08/12

Added up the money from the sweepstake, jam sales, donation box today, I could not believe it - £272 how incredible, it shows that every donation counts thanks so much everyone!!

I also wanted to thank my granny for her donation she sent by cheque that I put on the just giving page, thank you granny Lancaster.