Cuso International West: Recent Episodes
Cuso International
I met Catherine while in Rwanda doing our in country training. She recently arrived from Montreal. She is an amazing person ready to contribute to education in Kibuye area on Lake Kivu. Good luck Catherine! Pictured Catherine with Isabella from UK wh...
Mauro is very excited to learn more about Peru and the work he will be doing. All the best Interviewed by Alumnus Nareena Switlo ( Tanzania)
Volunteer for a better world! Join CUSO International, share skills and volunteer in 40 countries in Afri...
Debo worked with District Community Health. Thanks Debo for your commitment and service. Interviewed by Alumnus Nareena Switlo ( Tanzania)
Volunteer for a better world! Join CUSO International, share skills and volunteer in 40 countries in Africa,...
Gregory describes his adventure and teaching at GTC Wamba teachers college. "It was a worthwhile life experience" Interviewed By Alumnus Nareena Switlo on International volunteer day in Vancouver.
Volunteer for a better world! Join CUSO Internati...
Helen has a great deal of experience in Human Resources and served a year in the Dispute resolution foundation as a Human Resources advisor and then with the Ministry of Justice as a restorative justice facilitator. Interviewed by Nareena Switlo ( RV ...
Sedigheh Minachi shared her thoughts on her volunteering experience in Nigeria. Her assignment was to research the need for Nigerian diaspora to come back to Nigeria to share their skills. She interviewed people in different states and traveled the cou...
Jim Tellenbach shares information about his assignment in Fiji. He worked with Credit Unions and Women's groups. Jim now lives in Victoria. Thanks Jim for telling your story!
Volunteer for a better world! Join CUSO International, share skills and...
Cuso International in Nanaimo. Left to Right. Jayde son of Jane and Dave Kalmakav-Wellb who served on Vanuatu in 1981- 1983. He had great memories of his parents stories. Cuso International Alumni Sue and Doug Creba that served in Botswana 1976 to ...
Wayne Robertson serves on the Cuso International Board. SFU Diaspora dialogues culminated in the launch of a book of diaspora stories. http://www.sfu.ca/diasporas/
With a Master's degree in Library Sciences, Rowena Koh took her skills abroad to Namibia where she worked as a librarian for 7 months at the Southern African Development Community Parliamentary Forum. Listen as Rowena discusses her experiences in t...
After retiring with the Vancouver School Board, Max Adrien wanted to continue to put his skills to use by working abroad. Listen as Max discusses why he has chosen to work in North Eastern Rwanda as an education officer with CUSO International and how...
From 1995-1997, Jamie Kneen worked in collaboration with CIDA, the Saskatchewan Forest Conservation Network and the Indigenous Conservation Network in Costa Rica on a community training and mapping project. Listen as Jamie discusses how he shared his ...
Toyah Howarth is a returning volunteer who spent from July 2010-March 2012 in Namibia working in collaboration with the Namibian Football Association and UNICEF on a project entitled "Galz and Goals." Listen as she discusses the importance of developi...
Rowina Koh went to Namibia for her 7-month assignment as a librarian at the Southern African Development Community Parliamentary Forum*. With MA in Library Sciences earned in UBC, Rowina contributed to establish the basic structure of a library. Her dr...
As a professional psychotherapist, Jamie De Luce went to Tajikistan for a year where she worked to train local people by creating a health care support system to reduce child and maternal mortality among young married women.
Volunteer for a be...
After serving in Ghana for 13 months, Katherine Nicole is going to volunteer in Rwanda as a Gender Specialist. Utilizing her research skills, she will work with Plan Rwanda where she will monitor and evaluate activities related to gender issues. Kather...
Pegi Furanna-McIntosh is going to serve in Ghana as a Teacher Support with Cuso International. She has worked as a teacher for many years in Canada and is currently serving as the Head of Department at Notre Dame Regional Secondary School. She is excit...
I met Peter and Debra in Tanzania at a volunteer conference. They had been in Tanzania living in the Kabaya area for 2 months. Kabaya is near Dodoma and Arusha. Listen to how a couple make their way to their assignment and how they feel about it 2 mont...
Barbara Curwen couldn't wait to get back into the field after serving ten years ago in the Ngong hills in Kenya with Cuso. This time her spouse Peter Stancyzyk had retired and could join her to also volunteer in the health sector. They are in Arusha n...
Margaret had done a CIDA internship in Senegal before she came to CUSO International wanting to share her skills. She is working in Kigera district as an Agriculture Business and Livestock advisor with World Vision. An amazing lady with some great st...
I was so pleased to hear about Bairu's work in Tanzania in the last four months. He believes in and works in a collaborative way. Bairu is an educator of educator. Listen to his story. Interviewed by Umeeda Switlo during her visist in Tanzania in Dece...
I was so pleased to hear about Bairu's work in Tanzania in the last four months. He believes in and works in a collaborative way. Bairu is from Toronto and has recently retired. He served in Malawai with CIDA. He is now a teacher of teachers that serve...
We were fortunate to host our southern partner Theodros Belew from Ethiopia for a week in Vancouver. Thedoros is the Director of teacher and education leader directorate in Ethiopia. Access to education is increasing in Ethiopia; however the quality o...
Shimpei Chihara volunteered in Hanoi, Vietnam as an Organization Development Advisor for a local NGO that worked towards HIV/AIDS prevention. Shimpei finished his 2 year project objectives in only one year. He quickly recognized that the transgender p...
Lorne Lewis voluntered in Bostwana from 1972 to 1975. As an accomplished business man and mechanic in Victoria, he was sick and tired of the usual day to day life. After he sold his business, he decided he needed something new. Lewis moved to Bostwana ...
I met Carly at our In Country Training in Rwanda. We learned so much about the country, language, history, people and about the disability and education programs. Carly is from Toronto. Good luck on your assignment!
Volunteer for a better world! Jo...
I am in Kigali Rwanda working as a fundraising advisor to 8 disability groups. I met Sam Badege and others that are members of NOUSPR is Kigali. They have a small social enterprise organization that makes and sells handicrafts to support their work. Pl...
Vasile volunteered in Kenema, the eastern portion of Sierra Leone as a rural engineer. She worked with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) to help improve the rice production for some of the poorest farmers in Sierra Leone and an...
Paul volunteered his civil engineering skills for rural water supply projects in Northeast Thailand. Paul found that his biggest challenge was to work in Thai language. He met his wife at his placement, who was volunteering with the Peace Corps. He...
Kasia volunteered as a documentation advisor in a small town, 2 hours north of Nairobi. Her main roles included documenting files, organizing data, creating evaluation and monitoring tools, closing and starting up projects and other administrative task...
Marian is retired after a career in education that included teaching at secondary and post secondary levels, conselling and coordinating programs in social justice at the British Columbia Teachers' Federation. She has just completed a year of volunteer...
Ugen is from Bhutan and just graduated from Quest University in British Columbia. She studied International Development with a focus on child rights and child protection. She is currently an intern at CUSO-VSO West in hopes to make connections and lear...
Umeeda Switlo interviews her new replacement as she prepares to leave on assignment in Rwanda for 3 months. Dara Parker talks about her volunteer experience in Lesotho, her experiences on the Ship for World Youth, and her work with the United Nations ...
Wayne went to Thailand as a CUSO volunteer when he was 21 years old. He taught English in a Teachers College, in a small village south of Bangkok. After his service with CUSO, he stayed for 4 more months to build a school. He went back 40 years later a...
Bert volunteered in Botswana working at “The southern rural development association”. He really enjoyed living with the local community and learning from them. He was open-minded and learned from people who have different ways of thinking. ...
Lillian had a degree in library science and Bruce had just graduated from political sciences when they decided to volunteer overseas. They ended up teaching English in Ghana in a small town. They fell in love with the country and stayed there 6 years. ...
Don and Darleen taught 2 years in the Women Training Teaching College in Tamali. During the second year, Darleen also organized the new library and assumed the role of the librarian. They learnt a lot about the Ghanaian culture and that gave them more...
Judy and Pat's son went to Bolivia with Canada World Youth for 3 month. This experience influenced them to apply for a CUSO-VSO placement overseas. Judy's expertise is in Human Resources and Pat has an industry background and now works with the governm...
Margaret went to Nigeria as a Physiotherapist and occupational therapist. She worked in a leprosy hospital in the North East of the country. She was trained in the Leprosy hospital of Louisiana before going on assignment. Even if it was a challenging p...
Mary and Bruce were already very involved in their community in Saskatoon and very interested in International Development when they decided to volunteer with CUSO. Bruce was working in forestry and resources management. Mary first worked in disability...
Calvin was an electrical inspector for the province of BC before volunteering with CUSO-VSO. In Zanzibar, he taught construction and electricity in a college. Evelyn ended up working in an international school, teaching English and music. They learnt S...
Trevor served with CUSO in Tanzania near Arusha at the Matone farming training facility. He served with his father, John Chandler. Trevor had a PhD in Biology and his father was a professional bee keeper. Brought in Lillooet they shared their bee keepi...
Wayne had just graduated in Civil engineering form the University of Toronto when he applied to serve with CUSO-VSO. He worked with the Ministry of Public works in water and draining section. He had a Ugandan Cheif engineer which was still very unusual...
Veena was already working in international development in Ottawa before serving oversea with CUSO-VSO. In Tanzania she worked with a non-profit called “Education rights” which is working to reform the education system in Tanazania. She help...
Sharon and Ken decided to volunteer with CUSO to do something for the world. Ken worked in the agriculture mechanization division. He supervised the maintenance of the project's equipment to help the mechanization of the agriculture in Uganda. At the s...
Roy taught in High school in a little town in the North of Lagos. After volunteering he worked with international students at the University of Toronto. Roy wanted to go back to work overseas. He was the field staff officer in Uganda for several years....
Melvin met his wife Philipa in Guyana. They were both teaching mathematics in the same school. Melvin remembers the warmness of Caribbean people. After this experience they went to New York. Philippa finished her PhD and Melvin worked at Wall Street. T...
John, graduated in economics, was recruited to work for the City of Maputo and was implementing a local sanitation project. At this time, Mozambique was in the middle of a civil war. John saw the history of the country being written, from the war to th...
Brenda taught English and French and John worked in the Ministry of Works, especially on water supply issues. They were living in a small town in a rural area. They really enjoyed the people, the land and the wildlife. Brenda was amazed at how people w...
Hugh was served in one of the first groups of CUSO volunteer. He served in Tanzania at a period of great change in the country. He was at the first anniversary of the independence of Zanzibar. Hugh was working in information and tourism as a teacher an...
Interviewed by Christine Messier and is in French Guy a enseigné le français dans une école anglaise au Ghana et en tant que canadien il était responsable de l'entrainement des équipes de Hockey ! Il se souvient de ...
George first taught western history in Ghana with the foreign affairs agency. So when he volunteered in Tanzania with CUSO, he chose to teach African History and Politics, far from the colonialism state of mind at the time. He faced a lot of barriers t...
George taught mathematics in the Aga Khan secondary school in Kampala, where 60% of the students were Asian. So, when the Indians were expelled by Idi Amin in 1972 all classes were cancelled. George never taught in this school again, but he met a good ...
Even if she was on this beautiful island which is known as a vacation spot, Diane worked hard to teach cookery in a secondary school. She prepared students for their O levels exams. She learned to cook the local food which involved many more spices. Di...
David went in Nairobi and Kampala as a practical engineer. He was supervising the installation of the electric system in the post office and telecommunication office. He remembers how he used to enjoy the East African way of life. Dave you helped wire ...
A Graduate in anthropology and sociology at 19, Andria went to Kenya with CUSO-VSO with a strong taste for adventure. She taught in a secondary school for Tubu-tubu girls in the bush in the North of Nairobi. When she came back she worked in social deve...
Pierre worked in a Primary Health care centre in North Niger. As an Obstetrician, he faced a lot of challenges to practice medicine there. The lack of water and the difficult conditions in the Sahara taught him a different way of living. This experienc...
Lisa worked with the National Women Farmers' Association in The Gambia. She was inspired by the hard working, regal, and beautiful Gambian women. She was amazed with how happy they were even in their simple lives. Her volunteering experience gave Lisa...
Gudrun Ley served as Special Program Assistant with CUSO-VSO in Vanuatu in 1988-1990. She established various furniture factories and trained factory managers in Vanuatu. Including her volunteering stint, she stayed in Vanuatu for 20 years.
This p...
Jim Guy served for six months with the fishing communities in Nigeria.
This podcast was recorded during CUSO-VSO's 50th Anniversary Kick-off celebrations in Victoria, B.C. CUSO-VSO is proud to honor 15,000 volunteers and 35 million service hours in...
Judith Tethong served as a Youth Club Council in Jamaica when the country gained its independence in 1962. She had revolunteered in India for four years and went onto working with Tibetan peoples focusing on education. She was very effective in trai...
Having been an intercultural trainer for youth at the Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Centre Society, Anna Du Vent brought her work experience to Kingston, Jamaica while working as a volunteer in 2009-2010. She served as a Youth Program Advisor at the Y...
Gary Wickett and his wife Judy were very proud to have their first baby born at Manipal General Hospital, India during their volunteering stint. During the RV gathering in Victoria, he shared his funny vegetarian egg experience in India.
This po...
Tony Pargeter served as History and English teacher at the Mwinilunga Secondary School, Zambia from 1970-1972. As a volunteer, he is grateful to fellow volunteers who hosted most of his travels.
This podcast was recorded during CUSO-VSO's 50th A...
Bette Shippam had served as a Community Development Officer in Vanuatu from 1986 to 1988. She taught early educators on the pedagogy of teaching children. Volunteer for a better world! Join CUSO-VSO, share skills and volunteer in 43 countries in Afric...
Jean Maloney had served as an English teacher and Business Advisor in Papua New Guinea in 1981. Likewise, she had served as a Monitoring and Evaluation Advisor at the VSO Ethiopia in Addis Ababa for six weeks from February-March, 2011. She helped i...
Umeeda Switlo is the current Public Engagement Officer at CUSO-VSO West in Vancouver. She left Uganda at age 15. Together with her family, she is so grateful to a CUSO-VSO volunteer who helped them start a new life in Canada. She has travelled to Kenya...
Kenneth McKay was one of the first CUSO volunteers who had served overseas. He was a teacher in Ghana in 1962 and Monitoring and Evaluation advisor in 2011 in Ghana. Kenneth talks about giving an dthe cahnges in Ghana. Thanks Ken for your service!
...
This podcast was recorded during CUSO-VSO's 50th Anniversary Kick-off celebrations in Victoria, B.C. 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 necessa...
Katherine Nichol, as an Organization Development Advisor, helped in formulating a gender plan for VSO Ghana. She had also worked with the Ghana Evaluation and Monitoring Forum, a partner organization of VSO Ghana. This podcast was recorded during CUSO...
CUSO-VSO West intern James Christopherson, talks to Don Archibold who did his placement assignment with the provincial education office in Papua New Guinea from 1987 to 1990. This 3 year stint eventually turned into a 14 year stay for Don in Papua ...
In 1982, Peter Watt left his life as a commercial fisherman on the east coast of Nova Scotia to volunteer in Vanuatu. Little did he know that this experience would mark the beginning of his lifelong journey in international development. In this podc...
In 1982, Peter Watt left his life as a commercial fisherman on the east coast of Nova Scotia to volunteer in Vanuatu. Little did he know that this experience would mark the beginning of his lifelong journey in international development. In this podcas...
From 2007-2009, Leslie Dyck worked in health promotions as part of a capacity building project with a local health department in Vanuatu. She talks about the successes she achieved and also sheds light on how a project she was involved in, taught he...
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 ...
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 a...
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 ...
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...
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 cou...
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 th...
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...
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...
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 o...
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...
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 stud...
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 face...
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 st...
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 f...
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 he...
CUSO-VSO volunteer Nareena Switlo, is training students at Jambiani Tourism Training Institute. JTTI is a part of our Secure Livelihoods Program in Zanzibar, Tanzania. The partner organization is called Hands Across Borders. Victor is one of Nareena...
Sine came to VSO with a Masters in Tourism. She had lectured at several Universities in the UK. She came to Jambiani Tourism Training Institute which is operated by a Canadian NGO called Hands Across Borders in September and is contributing to the trai...
Nareena Switlo graduated from the University of Victoria in Anthropology with an extensive background in the entertainment and tourism sector. She went to Zanzibar as an independent volunteer and then was recruited in country as a CUSO-VSO volunteer. ...
John Coward served in Nigeria in 1970 as a University lecturer at Ahmadu Bello University. John shares some of his memories and experiences with Matt Whiteman, a CUSO-VSO volunteer, at the 50th Anniversary event at UBC on December 4th, 2010. This po...
Duncan Etches spent two years at the Tafari Makonnen school in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. A graduate of UBC, first in Chemistry and then medical school, Duncan remembers the the value of learning from his placement overseas. Duncan has remained interested ...
Tami Moffat, Brenda Woosnam, and Jennifer Mitton all served together in Nigeria from 1984-86. They all spent their time in Nigeria working as teachers in teacher training colleges. The ladies shared their stories and experiences with Matt Whiteman, a...
Linda Pennels, Kathy Cook and Mena de Sousa met while doing their placements in Papua New Guinea. The ladies spoke with Joey Chopra, a CUSO-VSO volunteer, at the 50th anniversary event at UBC on December 4th, 2010. This podcast was recorded during C...
CUSO-VSO 50th Anniversary, Bill Dales, served in Kingston, Jamaica, 1967-1969 Bill served as a social worker in psychiatric settings and recounts two stories about the stresses of shopping, swearing and driving in an unfamiliar environment.
Susan Anstine (formerly Susan Mary Smith) served with CUSO in Sunyani, Ghana from 1965-67 as a French teacher. Susan recalls some of the difficulties of her time in Ghana - the bugs and homesickness - but also the rewarding relationships with her stude...
Ron LeBlanc taught carpentry and mathematic at Mombasa Polytechnic in Kenya. He served from September 2001-2003. Ron reflects on his experience overseas in an interview with Mola Shahsavari.
This podcast was recorded during CUSO-VSO's 50th Annivers...
Dave MacRae spent three years in Nigeria with CUSO after graduating from the University of Alberta. He spent his time there teaching french. Dave fondly recalls the 'happy people' and the pace of life, ie 'African time'. He tells one story of how his s...
Tony Dawson is a CUSO-VSO applicant. Tony hopes to fulfill a lifelong dream of volunteering overseas with CUSO-VSO. Tony spoke with Matt Whiteman, a CUSO-VSO volunteer, at the 50th Anniversary event at UBC on December 4th, 2010. This podcast was reco...
Catherine Hembling served with CUSO in Nigeria in 1964-67. Catherine worked as a science teacher at a secondary school. She recalls the difficulty of setting up a UNESCO science lab upon her arrival. Catherine spoke with Mark Manns, a CUSO-VSO volunte...
Eva Murray was an elementary school teacher for 10 years before transforming her life with a CUSO placement. After going back to school for a sociology degree, Eva accepted a placement in Nigeria as a teacher. She worked for the Ministry of Education a...
Noba Anderson served with CUSO-VSO in 2000-01 in Indonesia. She worked on community forest projects with the Silva Forestry foundation, funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade. Currently, Noba is involved in local politics ...
Sheila and Howard Avery spent two years with CUSO-VSO in Thailand. Howard worked in rural agriculture projects, helping people develop and grow better seeds and crops. Sheila was an English teacher as well as a clothing and textiles instructor, teachin...
Hugh Barclay volunteered with CUSO in 1964 in Achimota, Ghana. He taught math and biology at a mixed boarding school. After Hugh returned to Canada, he was involved with CUSO selection and recruitment. Currently, Hugh is working on a pest control iss...
CUSO-VSO 50th Anniversary, Barry Whaites, served in Allahabad, India, 1964-1966. Barry has returned to India many times, and reflects on bathing ceremonies in an India before tourism. He worked with the Allahabad Agricultural Institute, and can speak...
Marlyn Horsdal was an English and Geography teacher in Ghana from 1964-66. She returned to Ghana in 1996 visit with another CUSO-VSO volunteer, Lynn Taylor. Surprised by the low proportion of girls in secondary schools, they founded a small project to ...
Peter Ackhurst and his wife served with CUSO-VSO in 1969-71 in Tanzania. Peter worked with the Department of Natural Resources of Tanzania as a forester. His wife was a nutritionist and worked for the Ministry of Agriculture. Peter spoke with Matt Whi...
Greg Spendjian began a lifelong career in international development with a placement in Sierra Leone in 1972-73. After graduating from UBC with a post-doc degree in Chemistry, Greg taught Agriculture graduates at Njala University College in Sierra Leon...
CUSO-VSO 50th Anniversary, Don Archibald, served in Papua New Guinea 1987-1990, Don went first as a middle aged volunteer with the Department of Education of New Guinea, traveling to various schools, then working on contract for various organizations ...
Nareena Switlo is a volunteer at JTTI, teaching Local Tour Guiding. She has 12 first year students enrolled in this class. These students will take us on a tour of Jambiani (the south-east coast of Zanzibar). Asuweni Hassan (year 1 student) takes us o...
Lori Prodan spent two years working as an English Teacher in Awassa, Ethiopia. During her stay in Ethiopia, Lori and her husband Keith Holmes found the time to author a children's book. Titled 'E' is for Ethiopia, it is an alphabet book with an Ethiopi...
CUSO-VSO 50th Anniversary, Sue and Bruce Taylor, served in Sierra Leone 1972-1974
A couple who met and married while serving abroad; Bruce taught science and math at the Government Magburka Boys Secondary School; Sue was working with the Catholic Re...
Susan Evans went to the Congo in 1969 as an English teacher with SUCO - the Canadian francophone branch of CUSO-SUCO at the time. She extended her stay and worked with women's groups in rural areas of the Congo that had been affected by the 1960 - 1967...
CUSO-VSO 50th, Elizabeth Massiah, served in Limbang Sarawak, East Malaysia, 1970-1972
Elizabeth Massiah tells us about teaching Shakespeare in a government high school in East Malaysia
Ken Affolder served with CUSO-VSO for two years in Sierra Leone. He taught history and english at a school in the town of Bo, Sierra Leone. After his service in Sierra Leone, Ken continued his involvement in education and development in Africa. He we...
Anne Marshall spent four years teaching in Thailand during the early 1970s. She graduated from Queen's University after studying political science and sociology. Anne taught English to grade 8 and 9 at a boys school east of Bangkok for two years, and ...
Rod and Carmen Asher, Served in Tanzania 1968-1970. Rod apprenticed in mechanical engineering, tool making and machining. He taught mechanical engineering at Dar es Salaam Tech.
Volunteer for a better world! Join CUSO-VSO, share skills and vol...
Served with Palal Women's Organization, serving an indigenous group. Her background is in conflict resolution and restorative justice. Trieu studied criminology at SFU and then went on to do a Master's degree after her placement at Portland State Uni...
Margaret and John Vegt, served in Tanzania in 1972-1974 Served together in Dar es Salaam for 6 months and then in Mwanza for 1.5 yrs Both came from Vancouver and attended UBC. The Vegts got married and then set off, honeymooning in Africa as they se...
Shirley has served with CUSO-VSO three times! Podcast continued.
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 skill...
As we celebrate our 50th it is wonderful to be able to thank returned volunteers that have given so much! Meeting Gig's after hearing about her from friends that have served with her was fabulous. We had a great discussion about International developm...
Susan Gage from Victoria, served in Nigeria with CUSO from 1969-71. She taught fourth and fifth grade English in the town of Keffi which is located in the middle of Nigeria.
Volunteer for a better world! Join CUSO-VSO, share skills and volunteer in...
Geraldine Parsons along with her late husband Charlie, served with CUSO in PNG. While on assignment, the Parsons also engaged in activities and events with the locals. Prior to going on assignment, they owned a sawmill at Powell River in British Columb...
Victoria's Jane Ramin served in Costa Rica from 1982-1985. She worked at the Costa Rican Institute for Technology. She learned to speak Spanish while in Costa Rica, and, in her final year, she taught Economics at the University.
Volunteer for a b...
Gary Brooks served as a community developer in Zambia from 2000-2003. His background is in the forestry industry to which he dedicated 38 years of his life.
Volunteer for a better world! Join CUSO-VSO, share skills and volunteer in 43 countries in ...
With a Masters degree in Biology, Franc worked as a wildlife biologist in Selous Game Reserve, which is a 20,00 square mile reserve in Tanzania, studying antelopes. Franc was part of 106 CUSO volunteers on BOAC.
Helen Nation worked with CUSO as a librarian in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania from 68-70, and then in Nigeria from 73-75. She later stayed in Nigeria on a local contract until 1979. In Tanzania, Helen worked in a public library that was based on the British...
Bergen Amren served in Papa New Guinea for a year during the colonial occupation by Australia. He worked as a curriculum developer for high schools. Bergen worked for CUSO at UBC many years ago. He is on the 50th comittee for Vancouver Dec 4 and 5 at U...
Kathleen Lowe worked as a publishing advisor to a regional NGO in Ghana. She became a publishing consultant and the department head of publishing. She met Princess Anne and shares the story of meeting her and other members of the royal family.
Volu...
Robin Halem, joined CUSO in 1968 after he finished University. He served in Nigeria during the Nigerian-Biafran War. Robin learned that war affects developing countries, its people, and their lives in various ways. In Nigeria, Robin did Farm Manage...
When he turned 10, Brandon Peters stayed in Fort Villa, Vanuatu for two and half years. Brandon recalls the military coups in the Solomon Islands and Fiji, and says the aftershock of the coup was felt in Vanuatu. Upon returning to Canada, he finished h...
Phil Bartle is a senior planner, trainer, and adviser of development projects. Specialist in the sociology of communities, and in community empowerment, he shares stories of his time in Ghana.
Volunteer for a better world! Join CUSO-VSO, share ski...
Richard was based in Vanuatu, but also travelled to other places along the Pacific: the Soloman Islands, Papa New Guinea, Figgle, and Fiji. While serving with CUSO-VSO, he was part of the Community Forestry Project. Richard says, he learned "hard pr...
Owen Gaskell worked in a teacher training college in East Malaysia from 1973-1975, providing post secondary trainings for teachers. He reflects on his experience overseas with his partner, and daughter. On assignment, he worked in the Educational Psy...
Pamela Thompson worked as a social worker and a psychologist in Alberta before being placed in the Philippines. Once in the Philippines, she worked in the Women and Children Friendly Center providing service to women and children who were victims of ...
Doug Piquette worked as a Community Developer in Northern Alberta and Bangladesh. Doug applied his experiences and skills in Peru for a term of 5 years by developing marketing projects for small villagers that were trying to export medicines. Later, ...
Karina Hurtadi, from Peru, living in Canada, worked in Bolivia for three years as South to South Volunteer. She was part of a Prevention Program in which she worked with young women who were street vendors, and tried to prevent them from becoming stree...
Helen Whitson worked as a primary school teacher trainer in Cassaca, a small village in Guinea-Bissau, West Africa. She was involved with the Rural Education Projects. (PROTEC).
Volunteer for a better world! Join CUSO-VSO, share skills and voluntee...
Juanito Enriquez Jr managing director of CSO-FP, speaks about peace initiatives in Philippines.
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. V...
Linda Gascoyne served as a school teacher in PNG teaching Home Economics in 1991-1992 then returned in 2004 to teach Math until 2007. Because of the tribal war that happened in PNG, the schools were closed, but Linda still managed to teach the kids ou...
Heidi Tyedmers has an Honours BA from the University of Toronto in Anthropology and Biomedical Ethics, and an MA from the University of Victoria in Interdisciplinary Studies with a focus on Oceania. She worked for CUSO in Vanuatu. In Vanuatu she worke...
Barry Gascoyne worked with CUSO as the manager of a Vocational School in PNG, Nepa. The Vocational School was mainly teaching live stock care, namely, sheep care.
Volunteer for a better world! Join CUSO-VSO, share skills and volunteer in 43 count...
Graduating from Sir George Williams University in Montreal at age 21, Wayne Jackson received his pre-departure training at McGill, and then worked as a school teacher in West Africa for two years.
Receiving her pre-departure training at McGill, Nina Jackson was flown to Western Africa on a military plane. In Ghana she worked as school teacher.
Former board member at VSO, Ninfa Ares left Canada in the aftermath of 9/11. She served in Rubia, which is a small village that is located north-west of Tanzania. The village of Rubia has a small nursing school there.
Volunteer for a better world!...
Bob Ganier, Tanzania Bob, a wildlife veterinarian, studied at UBC and University of Saskatchewan. In Tanzania he did research on anthrax wildebeest and got anthrax himself.
Hans- Henning also known Henning served with us in Southern India with a hill tribe that was pushed into the jungles of the Nilgiri Hills. His project was inspired by Dr Narasimhan Henning wrote to his mother and his fiance many letter that have now b...
I met Elsie in Nanaimo. She was hired from Phillipines and worked as a teacher. Hear her story.
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. V...
Donna was at an exhibition on Salt Spring Island when we caught up with her. Her partner is Greg Spendgean who was field staff officer. She taught English and Art. Here is her story. They have lived in Uganada , worked with CIDA in Egypt, Sudan and th...
Heidi worked at the Vanuatu Cultural Centre on a Youth research and advoccay project that is still operating today. I met Heidi in Victoria with her wonderful family. She is running CAPI at the University of Victoia. . Thanks for billeting us Heidi and...
Sally Thomas studied Health Sciences at the University of Winnipeg. She has had an extensive international work in Nursing. She has served in Bolivia, Karachi with AKDN etc. She continues volunteering with the Osteoporosis Board of Canada and Soroptim...
Thelma Howard worked in adult education in Port Moresby. Squatter rights. She went back 15 years later to be recognized by the people there. She now lives in Saskatoon.
Volunteer for a better world! Join CUSO-VSO, share skills and volunteer in 43 c...
Katharine Bergbusch is originally from BC. A graduate of UVic in English literature and education. She served at the Jasikan Training College. She remembers other volunteers, Chris College and Simon Claxan. 8 years after serving she went back and met p...
Cecil served in Vandekya state teaching at The St Francis School for the Deaf and Blind. She has since worked in China as an ESL teacher and is now a massage therapist. Loved seeing your old photos.
Volunteer for a better world! Join CUSO-VSO, s...
I met Susan on Saltspring Island where she now lives. She worked in a high school in the Lay Congo Mission. She served with SUCO and worked with CUSO in the BC office from 1984-1986 as teh BC Coordinator.
Volunteer for a better world! Join CUSO-...
Linda Browni worked as a remedial teacher in La Cova, St Elizabeth, Jamaica. She learned a lot and has travelled to over 32 countries around the world. Thank you for your hospitality and help in Sakatoon.
Volunteer for a better world! Join CUSO-VS...
Tim came to Salt Spring Island reunion armed with one of the most unique photo albums I have seen. He was posted with a UN fishing project helping to train people to fix boats and engines that had been donated on Ambrym Island( The Black Magic Island)!...
Louise came to the Salt Spring reunion. She had served in Chiang Mai as a teacher. He late husband was also CUSO volunteer Brain Shelley and was Field Staff officer in PNG. Our condolences and thanks for all your service.
Volunteer for a better wo...
I met Rosalind on Salt Spring Island. She has worked with special needs in Canada and with the Inuit. From the Arctic to the Tropics listen to this inspiring story. Thanks Rosalind.
Volunteer for a better world! Join CUSO-VSO, share skills and volu...
Mary Pyne is a Nurse educator who has spent 8 years in Africa from Angola to the Congo. Worked in Midwifery and Cholera prevention. She served with us in Nicaragua. It was great meeting you in Saskatoon.
Volunteer for a better world! Join CUSO-VSO...
I met Lesley in Brandon, Manitoba. She talked about her volunteer work before she went to Ghana and her desire to travel. In Ghana she worked in the Wa Municipal office on quality control and assessments of the education system. The food she liked and ...
Solly Sader immigrated to Canada from South Africa and met in Saskatoon at University. They served together in Bruni teaching Biology. Listen to their inspiring stories. The locals called them BrunicocoMauchi- I think it translates to red faced foreign...
Peter now is studying Fisheries and Agriculture in Nanaimo. In Ghana he taught agriculture in a rural youth training program and in Indonesia he worked as an agriculture teacher on water and fisheries project. John thanks for your many years of servi...
Glenora and her husband Don Slimmons served in Barbados. Glenora helped put together a 4H club and taught home economics. The challenge was communications between estate and small farmers. Talk about capacity building, Glenora just found out that one ...
Geoff Rippat went to Bolivia with his wife and 2 children. He worked on about 30 projects ranging from simple to large ones. Monitoring and evaluation which is essential in measuring goals. He is a social worker. He now works in Winnipeg with SAITAS , ...
In the second half of our conversation, Dr. Bartle continued to tell me about his international experiences that first started with his service with CUSO in Ghana in 1965. His work around the world has cemented his belief that international development...
*Part 1 Dr. Phil Bartle is an esteemed international development worker and academic who began his international development career in 1965, the year he first went abroad with CUSO. After rgaduating from UBC with a degree in Economics he chose to volu...
We met John in Nanaimo where he is studying green building and renewable energy. John served in Kabali with the District of Kabali as an IT specialist.
Volunteer for a better world! Join CUSO-VSO, share skills and volunteer in 43 countries in Afric...
Barbara Kerfoot worked in Adult Literacy in India and lived in New Delhi. She married Dan Hooper, another RV from Nigeria. She was also the first Regional Coordinator in the Atlantic. I met her at the Parksville Library where she continues to work in l...
Gordon Hart studied Biology and Environmental sciences in Winnipeg then went to University of Toronto to study Botany. He worked with documenting the indigenous and local knowledge of plants and new ways of using them in Cochabamba. He also worked at t...
Amanda dreamed of working overseas studying Education and Biology. She got her chance after her sister had volunteered in a small village East of Kigali in Musha. She taught Math and Science in French. She continues to support projects like the Nirere ...
Christa served with us first followed by her sister Amanda. Christa taught Mathematics and Sciences in Flin Flon Manitoba. He assignment was in a small school in Bissau in a town called Canchungo. She has been back twice.
Volunteer for a better wo...
This is the second time I have interviewed Ron. He taught carpentry in Mombasa and this time has some funny stories to tell. Assante sana Ron
Volunteer for a better world! Join CUSO-VSO, share skills and volunteer in 43 countries in Africa, Asia, ...
Rod is named Nana Akwasi Amoako Agyeman Edubiase Nkosuohene. He lives in Ghana and owns a great Hotel in Busai. Let him know you are a CUSO-VSO RV if you visit and he will give you a special rate. He gave us a presentation about his assignment and his ...
Rod is named Nana Akwasi Amoako Agyeman Edubiase Nkosuohene. He lives in Ghana and owns a great Hotel in Busai. Let him know you are a CUSO-VSO RV if you visit and he will give you a special rate. He gave us a presentation about his assignment and his ...
Jerry Zoerb is an Agricultural Engineer who served at the Cuba Cujae Engineering School. He tells some very funny stories about his work and the place he lived in.
Volunteer for a better world! Join CUSO-VSO, share skills and volunteer in 43 cou...
It's very rare that I get the opportunity to meet with partner organizations from the field, but I got lucky during my recent visit to Vancouver Island where I met Pat and Alastair, directors of the NGO Hands Across Borders. Based in Jambiani, Tanzani...
Rex had received his Masters degree in Library Science and had also worked in Information studies, Environment and Web design. He volunteered at the Pratistan Health and Trust in Kathmandu that worked in the HIV/AIDS sector. He helped them raise awar...
Joeclyn studied fine arts at Emily Carr in Vancouver and then went to serve in Zambia where she came from. She went to serve at the cultural Museum in Lusaka. When she got there the Museum was still being built so she began grant writing to help financ...
Lisa Faye now lives in Saskatoon after many years. She studied at Memorial University, Newfoundland. She first found out about CUSO on the web and met Marian White who is the PE Officer in PEI. She arrived in Accra and then served in Ho. The organiza...
I caught up with return volunteers Mick and Jackie McGarry during a recent trip to Kelowna, BC. They served in Malawi from 2001-2002. Mick, who is also a lawyer, taught English, while Jackie partnered with a local non-profit to develop community rehabi...
Dr. John Bishop and his wife Margaret Bishop served in Malawi in 2001-2002, and later went back for a shorter term in 2005. As one of the main doctors at the hospital where he was posted, Dr. Bishop worked in surgery, obstetrics, gynecology and in HIV-...
Keith Germaine and Yvonne Rousseau met while volunteering as public secondary school teachers in Ghana. They told me about how they went to Ghana feeling like they had a lot to give, but came back with an appreciation for family, culture and leading a ...
Wil and Irma Driediger were the last CUSO volunteers in India- they served in Gujarat from 1970-1972. In our chat they recounted working in a foreign language and serving a ambassadors for India in the West rather than for Canada in India. Wil and Irma...
Mike and Barb Angel served as teachers in Guyana from 1967-1969. I met them, along with their daughter Jeanette (who had been one and a half years old when they first went to Guyana), at an RV reunion in Vernon, BC. We talked about everything from food...
Victor has a wealth of information about CUSO-VSO having served 2 terms and worked with CUSO and volunteered on the BC Board. I really enjoyed speaking with him. Victor still works in community planning and sustainability and has worked with many commu...
I met Ted Bridgewater, an RV from Montreal/Calgary who had recently moved to BC at an RV potluck in Vernon. During our chat he recounted his experiences serving in San Fernando, Trinidad as an engineering teacher, and how his time there made him apprec...
Joyce Upex and her late husband Norman Wicks served as teachers in Papua New Guinea from 1978-1979. They spent the majority of their time in Alotau, where they worked with students to build a school from brush materials and initiated the Secondary Scho...
Andy Buhler was one of the early CUSO volunteers, serving as a lab technician and trainer in Nigeria from 1969-1971. His work experience, which involved training dispensary assistants and coordinating labs in first the North and then in Southern Nigeri...
I met returned volunteers Vincent Croswell and Maureen Thomas at a Tim Horton's in Kamloops, BC, just as they were returning from a trip. They served as CUSO volunteers in Papua New Guinea from 1979-1981, where Maureen was posted at Kundiyawa Hospital...
On a recent trip to Kelowna I had the pleasure of speaking with Paul and Chantal Merckx, a couple who served with CUSO from 1996-1998 in Hannah Town, Jamaica. Paul was assigned to assist in increasing economic development within the community while Cha...
Brian Pollard had booth right next to CUSO-VSO's booth at the Vancouver People's Summit on Main Street. Brian is a CUSO RV who went to Malaysia in 1970 immediately after graduating from Simon Fraser University with a degree in Economics and Third World...
Amazing where I find our returned volunteers! I had the opportunity to meet with Joe Bennet, one of our Returned Volunteers at the Vancouver People's Summit on Main Street in Vancouver.. Joe, a Biology graduate from Queen's University in Ontario, spent...
Marcy came from Bonneville, Alberta. She had studied recreational administration at the University of Alberta. She honed her skills and worked as a volunteer Manager and Fundraiser in Alberta. She wanted to share her skills and make a difference. We as...
Karly has just returned from Cameroon. Listen to her experience and what she learned. Thanks Karly for your service.
Volunteer for a better world! Join CUSO-VSO, share skills and volunteer in 43 countries in Africa, Asia, the Pacific, Latin Americ...
Sheridan attended a seminar at the University of the Fraser Valley called reaching out to Africa. Over 100 people attended and shared ideas. Sheridan is close to retirement as a teacher and is looking forward to a time when she can share her skills in...
It was wonderful interviewing a very recent returned volunteer, Karly Pinch, from Vancouver. She began her voyage as a youth intern in Kaile north of Bimenda working on HIV/AIDS community mobilization. People living with HIV/AIDS and women's rights. A...
Mathieu-Etienne Gagnon is a CUSO-VSO Public Engagement officer working in Quebec. We had a wonderful lunch with his wife Marie Claude who works with Canada World Youth as a Program Manager for Bolivia and Honduras. They have a cutest boy named Costa...
Erin has just returned barely over her jet lag and bck to helping CUO-VSO as a returned volunteer. You sure are a trooper Erin! Erin came from Iowa and Arizona to join her partner in Vancouver. She was recruited to serve in a small town of 6,000 2 hou...
Crissy George went to Belize, Central America, as a CUSO-VSO volunteer and shares her stories about working as a social worker abroad with volunteer Doerthe Keilholz. [15min] Shared her skills in social work. Crissy has retired and decided to continue...
Dorothy Li, a former CUSO-VSO volunteer and pharmacist, sits down with volunteer Doerthe Keilholz, and shares her memories and stories from her two-year volunteer experience in Uganda. [15 min]
Volunteer for a better world! Join CUSO-VSO, share ski...
Noulan Bowker told me about Ken Cooper and where to find him. Ken came from Red Deer Alberta to the University of Alberta- Edmonton. He studied Engineering and after graduation as a Mechanical engineer served with CUSO at King MancootTechnical college....
I met Dr. Alan Hedley last year when I went to thank him for his interest in CUSO-VSO. He is a retired Sociology Professor from the University of Victoria. He figured out what to do in his 3rd life. Support people and organizations that he believes ma...
Jamie Kyles is a retired Shell Oil Executive that got bored and began to serve with us on assignments,. Working with coffee, trade, micro finance, education and more in Uganda and Tanzania. He used all his business skills and made a difference. I ...
Veronica Cooper from CHEK TV- Vancouver Island was very curious about Jamie Kyles and his work in Tanzania and Uganda with CUSO-VSO. She interviewed him and I wanted to know what she felt about International Development and our work. Thanks Veronica ...
David Mintenko served with CUSO-VSO on two assignments in IT working in communities in the Maldives and Mongloia. Thanks for sharing your enthusiasm at a recent presentation to the Health Science Department at SFU.
Volunteer for a better world!...
Juanita and I have Uganda in common. I come from Uganda and Juanita served there as a teacher. Another strange fact, Juanita sat in Idi Amin's chair and my family along with thousands of Asians were expelled from Uganda in 1973 by Idi Amin. Juanita's ...
Listen to this wonderful story that Patrick tells to make a point about water and community. He served in Laos returning in 2007. Thanks Patrick for telling this story so well.
Volunteer for a better world! Join CUSO-VSO, share skills and voluntee...
Noulan Bowker who also served in Thailand turned in Paul Stinson and now we have both their stories in first voice. It was a pleasure meeting now CAPRA President Paul who remembered people and his time with CUSO very fondly. He taught English in Chomb...
Elizabeth Dunderdale attended our RV event in Vancouver recently and came by for a visit. She recalled her service on San Andreas a small Caribbean Island. She went with a group of Canadians. She remembered Jan Rodgers ( deceased) Michael Rasberg and o...
I met Melissa Renaud, Michael Walsh, Sean Mulcahy and Robin Cheesman at a Preparing for Change training session at CUSO-VSO in Ottawa. This is a course that volunteers take prior to accepting and leaving for their assignment. I took the opportunity to ...
It was a pleasure interviewing Karen. I must say, all the chatter in the background at the coffee shop made it a bit distracting. Karen served for 10 months teaching Introductory Computer Science to elementary and junior high students. She had Majored...
Anne- Catherine Bajard went to volunteer with CUSO with her husband Jose Luis Pereira Ossio. This ended up being a 15 year relationship with a country and its people. Anne- Catherine worked in Potosi, a town on a high altitude plateau approx. 12,000 ft...
Rick lives in Sorrento, British Columbia. I reached him during International Development week for this interview on Skype. This was the first time I did an interview that we recorded on skype so please excuse me if it sounds a bit rough. When Rick ca...
I talked to Ilona using Skype in Kimberly during International Development week. She travelled to Malawi to serve as a Doctor with her husband who is a Forrester and their two children. Ilona returned to her practice in Kimberly recently. I am so impr...
During International Development week I talked with Tanis Clarke, a graduate in French Literature. She in 1978 she applied to serve with CUSO. She was assigned to a boys school in Sierra Leone teaching French. Tanis worked for CUSO in Ontario and in P...
Gil Mervyn recently retired as Municipal clerk for the Municipality of Delta in British Columbia. I met with him during International Development week to hear about his experience in Guyana with CUSO. This is one of those very special interviews where...
. My sister was staying at a fabulous Bed and Breakfast in Deep Cove called Lockehaven and told me that the owners name was Noulan Bowker and that he served with CUSO. She said that he remembered those years as some of the best of his life. I had to m...
I met Maryam Moghaddas in Vancouver recently. She has been back from her assignment for 6 years. It was wonderful talking with this bright woman who served when she was 29 years old with VSO. She went as an IT specialist and ended up focusing on train...
When I first met Rosalind at a CUSO Potluck two years ago I was so impressed with the fact that she had cycled from a long distance to come to the dinner. She is very fit and very committed to International Development. She has helped me on several occ...
I met Lisa Whitehouse a year ago and she told me it was her lifetime goal to volunteers overseas. She worked with the Government of British Columbia that partners with CUSO-VSO to ensure that we deliver the best possible skilled person to our projects...
Paul was recruited in Manitoba by VSO. He served from 2005-2009 at Aurora State College of Technology from 2005-2008. Hear about what this amazing man learned. Paul is a citizen of the world and is making a great difference today and in the future. W...
I talked with Marian White and Judith David our education officer for CUPE. Marian and Judith have both worked with CUSO for many years and have been involved with CUPE. Listen to the story of pay equity for our southern staff and the history of the U...
Marian came from Prince Edward Island. She studied at UPEI got in a degree in arts and Education. She was posted Wamba, Nigeria at Wamba Government teachers college. She remembers her students teaching under a tree and writing in the sand with sticks....
Dan Garvey had retired from a career in Educational Administration in Alberta. With the help of family and friends he was able to serve in The Gambia for 6 months in 2009. The Gambia in order to meet the ojectives of the Millenium Development Goals ha...
Kelly worked with the Peace way foundation in Thailand also called Burma Issues. Her job? Help build capacity and a strategy for the Karen. The Karen (Burmese: kayin lu myo:), self-titled Pwa Ka Nyaw Po, and also known in Thailand as the Kariang (or Y...
'Kwehsay' Miku Chaiboosomjid works from Bangkok as the Information and Campaign Coordinator with the Burma Issues/Peace Way Foundation. Burma Issues is a non-profit organisation, made up of young ethnic people from Eastern Burma who now dedicate their...
Margo was at McGill University in the arts building when she saw a poster for CUSO. She had studied Theatre and Children's Theatre. She was assigned to a boys boarding school called the Government Science College. 60 Canadians were sent at the same ti...
"Choosing our Destiny- Creating the Utopian World in the 21st Century" by Cyril Belshaw. Dr. Belshaw continues to think of the world and the challenges we face with some very interesting ideas for solutions. Thanks Dr. Belshaw for this interesting in...
From Ian Smillie's book - The Land of Lost Content "CUSO's involvement with the Kampuchean refugees began almost by accident, as had its involvement in Thailand during the 1960's: as in other countries, too, CUSO's work in the 'Land of Smiles' origina...
When Pat Philips left to serve in family planning in India she had already worked one year in the North and two years in Africa. He long connection to international development continued for many years with CIDA, CARE and Unitarian services committee. ...
Assigned to two unique projects in Fort Portal, Uganda. Darlene worked for the Ruwenzori Forum for Peace and Justice and jeans with the Toro botanical gardens . A couple doing an amazing job. Welcome home. Volunteer for a better world! Join CUSO-VSO,...
Bob Sutton left Saskatchewan 2 years ago and is serving in Honduras. I know that he loves the people, forests, food, language and so much more. Bob is working on the model forest program. Listen to him tell us about his work in Honduras. Volunteer f...
When I met Greg Spira he was a consultant working with NGO's in communications and public consultation in B.C. Canada. They applied February and in 8 months they are ready to leave. I wish them well in their work with HIV/AIDS. Volunteer for a better ...
Bob Sutton is a forester and instructor from Marcelin Saskatchewan. He has served in Honduras for 2 years in the model forest program. Bob talks with Dieudonne Alemagi, PhD, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Faculty of Forestry, UBC about model forests an...
Lewis Perinbam was the first ED of CUSO and went on to serve for 22 years with CIDA and so much more. Lewis Perinbam was "Canada's gift to International Development" Lewis Perinbam, who was born in Malaysia in 1925 and educated in Scotland, immigrate...
Nancy Garrett was recruited in 1967 from New York where she had completed her training at Columbia to become a nurse. She went to York University for her orientation and headed out with others such as Vicki Henry, Janet Harold and Carol Gagnion to name...
'Where Credit is Due' is a short piece on microcredit and the bankrolling of economic hope. It features case studies of village micro-loan programs in Ghana. A longer version can be heard here. Produced by CUSO-VSO staff Sean Kelly. Volunteer for a b...
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 workin...
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 po...
CUSO-VSO Volunteer 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, ...
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 c...
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 Smillie Photo: John in the very room where it al...
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 Vini Vini live...
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-VSO Volunteer for a better world! Share Skills volunteers in ...
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-VSO Volunteer for a better world! ...
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 Uni...
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 ...
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 co...
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 ...
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 co...
Edith traveled to Ghana with her two children as a Diaspora volunteer Listen 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 ...
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, ...
Ron now lives in Saskatoon. he served in Mombasa as a teacher in a polytechnical school, Kenya and helped youth learn new skills. Listen to his experience. Thanks Ron for sharing your story.
CUSO-VSO Volunteer for a better world! Share Skills volu...
When you take a family to serve with you how do the children cope? Find out from Edith's two wonderful girls about the impact the year in Ghanna made on their lives. They now live in Saskatoon. CUSO-VSO Volunteer for a better world! Share Skills vol...
George has served in several countries on different assignments. He has refined his skills and loves sharing them from Zanzibar, Tanzania, Uganda and Ethiopia. Thanks George you have made a real difference sharing your skills.
For more information ...
Albert reminds us of the most important and key aspect to anything, which is social justice. What the people have accomplished is that they realize that they should have a say as to how the natural resources in their country should be managed.
CUSO...
Albert continues to discuss how the project was intended to promote equitable access to the fisheries and resources, preserve the natural environment, and enable the locals to have a say in decision making in terms of how they think the fisheries shoul...
Albert Dizan, from the Philippines was recruited from VSO-Bahaginan. He holds a bachelors degree in political science and two masters degrees, one in community development and the other in development administration. This extremely intelligent and well...
Rosamund Van Leeuwen went to Singapore as a volunteer for VSO in 1963. She was only 17 at the time and visually impaired since the age of two. A school for visually impaired and blind children had just opened up in Singapore, this is where she was an i...
John Wilcox continues to discuss his experiences in India while working with COV
CUSO-VSO Volunteer for a better world! Share Skills volunteers in 43 Countries-Bangladesh,Bolivia,Burkina Faso,Cambodia,Cameroon,China,El Salvador,Eritrea,Ethiopia,Ga...
John Wilcox is one of the founding Canadian Overseas Volunteers (COV) volunteers who was sent out into the field in 1961. He was only 19 at the time and very eager to see the world, he contacted Keith Spicer and before he knew it, he was learning Hindi...
George Harris was very young when he started his first assignment. He has worked for CUSO, volunteered and married Shirley Lord and gone with her on assignment. Listen to this life long commitment to international work.George is preparing for his next ...
Ron and his wife served in Malaysia with Orangatans on a forrest conservation program. The Yanan Saba Foundation was the partner organization. He now works for the City of Winnipeg in waste and water management. Ron served 6 years on the cUSO Board and...
Helen Zokowski is an extraordinary woman and a pioneer for CUSO-VSO. In 1961, the Canadian Overseas Volunteers (COV), to become CUSO, sent its first 15 volunteers out on assignments, Helen was one of those volunteers. She majored in languages (Russian,...
Helen now lives in Comox and is a freelance writer. She has served with Science International, CBC, and is an accomplished Producer, Director and Writer. She talked to me about the founders and the first 16 volunteers that served in India, Malaysia and...
Shirley is known in Winnipeg for her community work. She believes in the rights of the individual and the importance of social justice. She has served in Ethiopia, Zanzibar and Tanzania. She will be going on assignment again. Thanks Shirley for sharing...
George continues his story of his projects and partners from Ethiopia to Uganda. George has done so much with CUSO and VSO. He has worked with us as well as served as a volunteer for many years. I come from Uganda and I am quite sure George and Shirley...
Geoff Ripat is back in Winnipeg and back at work. He was on his way out when I arrived. I spent a wonderful few hours talking to the family about Bolivia
CUSO-VSO Volunteer for a better world! Share Skills volunteers in 43 Countries-Bangladesh,Bol...
When Jill left Canada with her young family and her husband Geoff Ripat it was Geoff who had the assignment. Geoff was to do a labour market study in Cochabama mines with Kinde Nolte. This NGO works to benefit children and families. Geoff is a social w...
Maureen brought back her Muneca in traditional dress ( Cholita) Sam brought back a flute They tell me about their art lessons, Piano and school. I think their stay in Bolivia will connect them to the country for a lifetime.
CUSO-VSO Volunteer for...
Many people ask about taking their children on assignment. Geoff Ripat and Jill Cooper have recently returned from Bolivia. They left 4 year and 7 months ago with their two lovely children. Maureen was 6 when she left and is 11 now. She speaks beauti...
Over 700 Manitobans have served with CUSO and VSO now the combined alumni of CUSO-VSO. We met recently at the Manitoba Council for International Cooperation office in Winnipeg. www.mcic.ca Our Alumni included Kate Moncaster, Jude Carlson, Carol Ann Co...
Eva has just returned from a 4 month placement in China as a Funding Advisor for HIV/ AIDS She talks about the challenges in the region and the work she contributed to with her partners in the field. Eva is still on "assignment" as a Distance placement...
A community activist Eva is a person concerned about the world and prepared to put her inquisitive mind to work From working in Geology to Diaspora volunteering in Guyana then to China to work as a funding advisor for HIV/AIDS. Listen to Eva' story ......
Eva has a PhD in Geology. She describes herself as a " Hard Rock Doctor". She worked on Canadian shield mapping. She describes some forms of mining as "long term environmental impact for short term gain" Eva is a community activist by nature and has s...
In Spanish we hear about programs with youth and environment from Jaques Carrriere. Excuse the backgrond noise as we speak at the Chateau Frontenac in Quebec City atthe end of a busy day. Photo- Public Engagement team Canada and US CUSO-VSO Volun...
I met Juan Carlos Pirir ( Melvin) who had come from Guatemala to attend conferences and meetings in Canada with Jaques Carriere- The program Director for Latin America and Carribean. He has been with CUSO now CUSO-VSO since 1988. A wealth of knowledge ...
Robert Akester- Served in Philipines 2005-2007 Elections can be a very challenging time. Robert tells how politics permeates life and friendships in the region. Wrap up and thanks to all who attended. We shall do this again!
CUSO-VSO Volunteer fo...
• Nancy van Euw - a Peacecorps Returned volunteers talks about meeting her husband Ed Van Euw who is a cUSO RV 1986-1987 Volunteers from many organizations often are working together . They meet and start their journeys and in this case it was a j...
Umeeda Switlo- welcomes everyone and thanks Nancy Garrett- CUSO RV India 1968-1970 (wife of the Late Lewis Perinbam), Juanita Tupper (ex CUSO Board member) and Tanis Clarke (CUSO-VSO Circle member, donor, RV and ex staffer) for attending. * Umeeda tell...
CUSO and VSO returned volunteers got together in Vancouver to talk about their experiences. Listen to 2 returned volunteers and a Board memeber tell us about their service. *Sigit Murdawa served in Indonesia from 2006-2008 He tells us about his work in...
Umeeda Switlo answers questions about volunteering overseas with Cuso-VSO. I am always impressed to know how many people want to make a difference in the world. I meet people interested in serving who have questions about working with us. At UBC the o...
They tell me about how they and Janneke are helping small farmers diversify, feed their families and educated their children. Sunflower oil and oil from seeds from trees in the forest. They use natural resources from the forest floor. Listen to how the...
Janneke tells me about her work and her VSO- Jitloee assignment. She loves Africa and is making a difference. I cant help but think she will continue to serve in Africa for a long time.
CUSO-VSO Volunteer for a better world! Share Skills volunteer...
Tells me about where she lives, how she gets to work and who she works with.
CUSO-VSO Volunteer for a better world! Share Skills volunteers in 43 Countries-Bangladesh,Bolivia,Burkina Faso,Cambodia,Cameroon,China,El Salvador,Eritrea,Ethiopia,Gambia...
I met Janneka in Nairobi. She has just moved there from a rural area in central Kenya. She arrived in Kenya just before the post election violence. She tell about her life, how much she loves Kenya and the people. I think she has so much to offer and I...
He is bright, committed and leads a great team of Kenyan's in South to South placements as well as North to South placements. Lets hear about his experience and passion for his work.
CUSO-VSO Volunteer for a better world! Share Skills volunteers i...
Boka studied in Florida and is back in Kenya working at VSO Jitolee. I enjoyed her company and her energy.
He came from the Philippines and is working in Kenya's renowned Kibera slum improving access to water which results in a healthier community. He is truly inspiring and I know is making a huge difference.
A communications specialist from London comes to Uganda and works on Access to Medicine.Nola tells about volunteering in Ethopia, Senegal and Mali. From a BBC editor to Africa. Working with Mulumba Moses working with Equinet. People always ask about wh...
A couple working at the International Hospital in Kampala. They are volunteering and really making a difference. I was struck by their calm demeanor, their kindness and joy. To think they could be doing anything in the world and they have chosen to he...
She has worked with VSO for 7 years. She is a medical DR specializing in International Health. Educated in Nairobi. I loved talking with her and finding out about her work.
At last I get to meet some fabulous South to South volunteers. Kenyans in Uganda doing amazing work. Inoset came to Uganda from Kenya.
In a small corner of Bombolulu is a man that has worked there most of his adult life. He learned about plants in Kenya and has sold seeds to many overseas. He is happy to share with you what plants flourish where. I bought seeds for the sensitive plant...
I loved talking with the people at work. Some are visually impaired, some cannot walk but they are determined to make the most beautiful things. I bought a basket used for shopping. They made it with leather lining and made it look beautiful. Cant tell...
I talked with the partners in the field and found out that in a short time Michael has made a big difference in efficiency. Steam lining production from ordering supplies and storage. One volunteer can make a difference. Lets listen to Shadrack descri...
Michael came from Ireland and began his assignment at Bombolulu. This fantastic partner works with handicapped people from all over Kenya. They learn new skills and create wheelchairs, jewelery, leather works, clothes and more. I bought some fabulous a...
With the increase in population ,fishing, tourism and pollution on the Coast of Kenya many turtles have suffered from lost of egg laying territory, have been killed by poachers, their eggs robbed and turtles killed in fishing nets and from swallowing p...
The Local Ocean Trust has rescued Sea Turtles, educates the community about sea turtles, gather data on sea turtles and monitors egg laying........... so much more. The region is being developed at a rapid speed and there is so much to do. Join me and ...
An amazing group of women sat under the Mango tree Emma Jolley was with us. She is helping Solwodi in their capacity building. She loves Kenya and is respected by the ladies we met. Here is an introduction to Solwodi. Please check out their website. ...
I met Emma with her country partner in Ukunda, a small village just near Diani, on the South Coast of Kenya. We ate lunch together and we travelled by mutato to the village and to the Solwodi. We are welcomed and invited to a circle meeting under a man...
I went to the VSO Jitolee office and talked with James. Really got a better insight about South to South Volunteers. He helped me set up my meetings on the South Coast of Kenya. Very dedicated staff in Kenya. Loved meeting you all.
CUSO-VSO ...
I left Uganda in 1973 and this is my first trip to Kenya in 21 years. I will be also going to Uganda for the first time. I work with CUSO-VSO and will be telling my story as well as the story of volunteers in the field from all over the world. Join me ...
Experience the excitement of the Vancouver Dance For the World Event in Vancouver BC. Do you really love to dance? Want to make a difference in the world? Are you ready to bring your friends, family and co-workers out for a night of incredible enterta...