Voluntary Service Overseas

VSO (Voluntary Service Overseas) is an international development organization that works with volunteers. VSO does not send food or money to developing countries. Instead, they take a 'people to people' approach. VSO places volunteers from a wide range of professions in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, the Pacific and Eastern Europe. VSO volunteers bring with them expertise in such areas as education, healthcare, HIV & AIDS, and business management.

With Randstad Education, we focus on sustainable development rather than short-term relief. By working in partnership with local people, VSO volunteers share skills and knowledge with a community that will benefit them long after their placement has finished. Volunteers, in turn, have the opportunity to learn from their peers in developing countries. The knowledge they gain can be shared and built upon back home.

For more information, visit the VSO website

Alison Helm volunteers to depart for Ghana

Alison Helm, assistant head teacher at Curwen Primary School in London, will be the first of this year’s volunteers to depart for Ghana on 12th September 2011 and will be documenting her experience in a blog via the Randstad Education website. You can now read all about Alison’s adventures on her blog

Read her latest blog entry below...

The importance of taking the time to form relationships . . . .

It is with a sadden heart that I am coming to the end of my time here in Ghana, and so also possibly my last blog. Although initially apprehensive about leaving my life in the UK, the past three months has flown by, with such a mixture of wonderful experiences that will remain with me long after I have physically left.

Somebody asked me last night "Have you achieved everything you set out to achieve during your time here?" which felt like a very 'Western-ised' question filled with implications about targets, goals, expectations and measurable outcomes! In response I said, "I have had an amazing time, learnt lots about myself, made some wonderful friends and hopefully shared a little bit back with the people I have met."

Have I achieved what I 'set out' to achieve in the last 3 months? Pass . . .but I've realised that I have achieved a better understanding regarding the fundamental importance of building open and honest relationships which allow time and space for mutual communication and trust before any kind of 'target and outcome' could ever be contemplated.

As such I wanted to use this final blog as an opportunity to introduce (and thank) some of the people I have been living and working alongside over the past three months. People who have had such a positive impact on me (greater than they could ever imagine) and friends whom I am going to miss greatly . . . .

So in no particular order . . . .

Incredibly taken only three months ago, these are all the other volunteers who arrived at the same time as myself; an inspirational group of people indeed.

Adam (a local Zebillian and good friend of VSO) along with Eloise, Damien, Hannah and Rachel at my leaving party; the phrase 'determined individuals' comes to mind.

Ellie and Gemma, volunteers and friends from the Upper West of Ghana

(and also my original moto training buddies.)

Madame Saffai, an incredibly generous lady from my village.

Tom, Eloise and Godfrey, fellow volunteers, who taught me that all you need to have a party is people who want to have a party!!

Mr :Lawrence, the football coach, who is prepared to speak out against his local community to encourage women and girls to play and enjoy football and sport.

Tony and his partner Saffai, both good friends and very supportive during my time here.

Fellow volunteers, teachers and friends - Gemma, Helen and Eloise.

(Enduring yet another Chelsea match with me!!)

Good friends from work, Gilbert and Joanna, at my leaving party.

The two 'T's' - Tony and Tom - my 5pm drinking buddies.

Mr Moses, my partner-teacher in the literacy project, and evidence that many teachers in Ghana are incredibly hard-working and determined for their pupils to be successful.

Sandra, Cletus and Joanna; work colleagues and now friends.

Victor, one of the 6 headteachers from the primary schools where I worked.

Last but not least, Eloise - a great friend who has been support, inspiration, fun and patience all rolled into one!!!

As I mentioned to someone earlier in the week, it normally takes me months, if not years, to build meaningful relationships with new people; the people in the photos above however are testament to the fact that this doesn't have to be the case!

A fabulous group of people, who although will be greatly missed, will remain with me for a long, long time to come.

Thanks guys,

Ali xx?