I have just spent 3 wonderful weeks in The Gambia. Where to start – the progress by all three of the programmes we work with warmed my heart…and I must admit February in The Gambia warmed my body! We work with three programmes in The Gambia –
people and places was founded to make volunteering a better experience for volunteers and the communities they work with – we decided the best way to campaign for better was through example. We believe in the power of well matched and well prepared volunteers – we believe the overwhelming majority of people want to do good….but we also see the damage being done in communities where poorly thought out, managed and monitored programmes are being run. We believe volunteers and the communities…
by Dianne – Volunteer Programme Advisor We are always learning . . . all sorts of people provide us with useful insights about volunteering in other countries and other cultures and about the issues we discuss in our campaigns. In the last couple of years I have got to know Father Cornelis Hooijmaijers a Catholic priest, originally from the Netherlands but who worked for 56 years of his ministry in the Solomon Islands – since his retirement Cor has come…
A few weeks ago I went to Morocco to visit the project we support there, the Education For All boarding houses for girls, the project recently visited by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex as described in an earlier article in this newsletter. I had not been there since 2011 and wow! – what amazing progress has been made in the intervening 8 years! I thought I had kept up to date with developments there through reading their newsletter, but…
This was first published way back when – sadly – it still holds true! Here at people and places we are constantly struggling to get enough volunteers for our programmes – there are other sending organisations that manage to attract thousands of volunteers every year – we don’t and I now know we have got so much wrong – so here’s my proposal – I’m sending it off to our advisory board tonight: 1. We’re going to start talking about our projects – after all, how…
On the occasion of my (Kate’s) birthday, I received this lovely message from a volunteer who worked in the Swaziland project in 2007 ! “Hi Kate ! You won’t remember me (I do!) – but I remember your energy and commitment – and therefore the unforgettable experience of volunteering in Swaziland….. Just to say – I will always remember (if nothing else) how you took me on, and gave me the opportunity of a fabulous lifetime experience. Recently I have…
Our spring social meeting will be in the West Midlands, Birmingham area. We’ll confirm full details of time and location early next year, but meanwhile, please save the date ! Claire’s video interview (below) emphasises how valuable our social meetings can be for potential volunteers – meeting and talking with each other as well as previous volunteers and the ‘people and places’ team – all in a relaxed and friendly environment. Let us know if you hope to / plan…
We love hearing from local partners about our volunteers and their work … below are some recent updates from Treak in Cambodia and Hazyview in South Africa. First of all, here’s a brief synopsis of the varied skills and experience they brought to their projects and placements: Chris, Paul & Lynne worked in Treak and Katherine in Hazyview. Chris has worked for years in engineering and other practical projects, in the UK and overseas, as well as having coaching &…
It’s the end of the school year in southern Africa. At the Emmanuel Advice Care Centre in Port Elizabeth and at the Neighbourhood Care Points in Swaziland many children are finishing their time at pre-school and are excitedly looking forward to starting school in January. One of the high points of their last few weeks at pre-school has been their graduation ceremony. We have just heard from our partners in Swaziland that 113 children have graduated and will be entering…
take a look at some recent volunteers explaining why they volunteered with us and what working with people and places meant to them and take a look here for all our videos