VSO is a development charity that work to address poverty abroad. Right now, VSO is bringing justice to rape survivors in Pakistan, ending stigma against disabled children in Ethiopia and tackling the youth skills gap in Uganda.

My motivation to volunteer comes from my parent's birthplace. As I look back on my childhood and realise that my experiences are somewhat different from what I consider normal today, I do believe they shaped me in many ways.

It's funny how a place can give your character experience. This a country that's beaten all the odds! Oasis of life, you end up realising that it's teaching you deep inside, even the most remarkable dream can come true, and I think that was crucial in my upbringing. No matter how bad things ever seemed, no matter how high the mountain was, I just instinctively believed it was achievable, that’s one reason I was so blessed growing up in Eritrean household. There is a can-do culture and there’s tirelessness to that, there’s an intensity to that. Growing up in that environment I think was a great asset in my life.

As I was growing up I could see children of my age losing their childhood to this brutal conflict and struggling to get an education because of their circumstances. I realised then that I wanted to help people to overcome their struggles, to comfort them while in pain and listen to their stories. Helping others gave me the opportunity to focus on the beauty, not the destruction that war creates. Focusing on positive thoughts and adjusting to change well, I became resilient to my surroundings. I do believe that resilience helps me to thrive, despite adversity. I wanted to volunteer with VSO because I want to share my skills, learn from others and experience the joy of serving people from different cultures right the way through.

I believe that we all have a social responsibility, as people of privilege, to do what we can to help those who are less fortunate than us. Because I believe in this cause so much, I am volunteering with VSO in Kamachumu, Tanzania for 12 weeks to do as much as I can to help bring positive change. Any support would be appreciated x

To read more about the work VSO do, visit their website: www.vsointernational.org/fighting-poverty