VOLUNTARY Service Overseas, an international development charity, is celebrating 50 years of helping people around the world.

The organisation relies on skilled volunteers to carry out work in 34 countries, mostly in Africa and Asia.

It was on May 30, 1958, when the first VSO volunteers left Britain to give up a year of their life to help others. Today, the organisation is still going strong in providing skilled volunteers to countries such as Bangladesh and Zambia. Since the first eight volunteers, all aged 18, left for Ghana, Nigeria, Northern Rhodesia (Zambia) and Sarawak, Borneo, in 1958, more than 32,000 people from all over the world have been VSO volunteers. Many have had their lives changed and have made a real difference to thousands of others.

Judith Brodie, director of VSO UK, said: "VSO believes that people can make a real difference to other people and so we focus on linking people together to share skills and experience to learn from each other. There is so much to gain from volunteering with VSO, not only the experience of living in a different country, but also an insight into how the world operates.

"Volunteering is a two-way process, so as well as the volunteers going to share their skills they also learn a lot too. Coming back to the UK, volunteers can share what they've learned and so bring their two communities together.

"Volunteering is only one of the ways to get involved with VSO's work. We also run campaigns and exciting events and fundraising activities that all contribute to VSO's goal to fight poverty in developing countries.

"There will be events all over the UK during 2008 to celebrate VSO's anniversary. We want people to come along and see what VSO can do for you."

Jean Waller, 48, from Redhill, volunteered with VSO in Bangladesh for two years between 2003 and 2005. She worked at a village education resource centre helping people to develop IT skills.

She said: "Working with VSO gave me a lot of confidence and self-sufficiency. It gave me time to reflect on my life and prompted me to leave the commercial world of accountancy on my return to the UK in favour of a career in the charity sector."

The organisation has just concluded a month of celebrations around the country and there will be a Stars Of Africa concert, featuring Hugh Masekela and friends, at the Royal Albert Hall, London, in November. If you are interested in volunteering with VSO or would like to find out more about the work it does, visit www.vso.org.uk

Much to celebrate

1950s VSO begins work in 1958, the first volunteers are school leavers all aged 18. Volunteers work in Ghana, Nigeria, Zambia and Sarawak, Borneo.

1960s The age profile of volunteers rises and a second scheme for graduates or "qualified" volunteers starts. By 1965, more graduates are placed than school leavers and in 1966 the first "older" volunteer, aged 60, starts work.

1970s The last school leaver is placed. VSO starts campaigning work to influence government policy.

1980s VSO starts to recruit outside Britain, opening offices in Canada and Netherlands. The average age of volunteers is 28. VSO works in 30 countries with 780 people overseas.

1990s VSO starts work related to HIV and Aids. The first volunteers go to Eastern Europe after the break-up of the Soviet Union. VSO's business partnerships are launched, enabling more business people to do voluntary work on secondment. The average age rises to 33. VSO works in 46 countries with 1,260 volunteers overseas.

2000s VSO's first recruitment base in Africa opens, one in the Philippines soon follows. The recruitment age limit is lifted to 75. VSO begins to recruit business troubleshooters for short-term assignments. The average age of volunteers is now 41, VSO works in 32 countries with 1,500 volunteers overseas.

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