Type of work
VSO is an international development charity that promotes volunteering to fight global poverty and disadvantage. YfD volunteers gain work experience, develop skills in an international setting and contribute towards VSO’s aims in the areas of education, HIV and AIDS, disability, health and social wellbeing, participation and governance, and secure livelihoods.
Type of placement
10-12 month placements for UK and Republic of Ireland residents aged 18-25 who already have minimum 1 year’s volunteering/ community work experience.
Students
Sanchu Iyer
Disability: Deaf
Study: Geography & Development Studies, School of Oriental & African Studies, King’s College London.
Placement: Philippine Federation of the Deaf (PFD), Philippines, 2003/4
Work undertaken: The PFD aims to promote access to education, employment and social services for deaf people in the Philippines. Sanchu developed resources related to sexual health issues, including HIV and AIDS awareness. She also facilitated workshops for deaf youth in the capital city.
Angela Spielsinger
Disability: Deaf
Study: Time Based Art
Placement: Gambian Association of the Deaf & Hard of Hearing (GADHOH), Gambia, 2003/4
Work undertaken: Angela worked alongside young women as an advocacy and awareness-raising trainer. She also organised a youth club to provide a venue for discussing issues encountered by deaf people.
Andrew Jordan
Disability: Deaf
Study: Computing (Software Engineering), University of Sheffield
Placement: De La Salle University (DLSU), Philippines, 2002/3
Work undertaken: Andrew conducted peer tutoring and co-ordinated the extra-curricular programme for DLSU’s School of Deaf & Applied Studies, where deaf and hearing students learn about deaf issues and Filipino Sign language.
Justin Smith
Disability: Deaf
Study: Deaf Studies, University of Bristol
Placement: De La Salle University (DLSU), Philippines, 2001/2
Work undertaken: Justin worked with deaf students and student services staff to explore ways in which deaf students might become actively involved in activities run for hearing students. He also conducted sessions to build confidence and self-esteem of deaf students and empower them to take on a lead role in setting up school activities.
Support systems put in place by VSO
Application
Applicants are asked in the application form if they are disabled and whether or not support is required during the assessment day.
Interview & Training
Interpreters are supplied for deaf applicants during the assessment day and throughout all pre-departure training.
All sessions in interview and training are reviewed to ensure everyone can participate fully.
Examples of support on placements
- Sign language interpreters during training and workshops
- Sign language training for any interested volunteers
- Volunteer trained in local sign language
- Sign language training for office staff
- Volunteer issued with mobile phone for text messaging
