Volunteering with VSO Canada in 2006

As you may know, I have been blessed with the time and means in recent years to travel internationally extensively. Through these travels, I have seen and learned much about the socio-economic conditions that exist in less developed countries. I decided several months ago to find a way to help. I researched all types of programs and charities and I believe I found a good fit.

I am volunteering with a well-respected international development agency, VSO. VSO is an independent charity started in Britain in 1958 and now has recruitment bases around the world. This organization places highly skilled volunteers with programs in developing countries that need their help. I am working with VSO Canada which handles volunteers from the U.S. and Canada. I have been placed in Mekelle, Ethiopia at Mekelle Institute of Technology as an Information Tehnology instructor. Amanda and I arrived in Ethiopia in February 2006 and will stay for 2 years. Please see VSO Canada. for more information.

VSO asks its volunteers to try to raise awareness and funds to offset some of the costs of placement. In order to do this, some friends and I completed the Three Peaks Challenge.