Cuso International West

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At Cuso International, we believe we are changing the world, one volunteer at a time. That’s because volunteering can be transformative for both the overseas communities and the volunteers themselves. Each year, we send hundreds of global citizens to work on collaborative development projects in ma…

Cuso International

  • Dec 7, 2012 LATEST EPISODE
  • infrequent NEW EPISODES
  • 12m AVG DURATION
  • 307 EPISODES


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Latest episodes from Cuso International West

Mauro Joao is leaving to work with a youth employment centre in Peru in 2013

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 7, 2012 5:17


Mauro is very excited to learn more about Peru and the work he will be doing.All the bestInterviewed by Alumnus Nareena Switlo ( Tanzania) Volunteer for a better world! Join CUSO International, share skills and volunteer in 40 countries in Africa, Asia, the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean. Volunteers, donate, share skills.www.cusointernational.org

Debo returned in 2012 and served in Burkina Faso in Government Health

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 7, 2012 8:05


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, Asia, the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean. Volunteers, donate, share skills.www.cusointernational.org

Gregory Bruce served in Nigeria from 1982-1984 as a Teacher

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 7, 2012 9:57


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 International, share skills and volunteer in 40 countries in Africa, Asia, the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean. Volunteers, donate, share skills.www.cusointernational.org

Helen Schneiderman was interviewed in Vancouver. She served in Jamaica 2011-2012 in Access to Justice.

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 7, 2012 13:31


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 Tanzania) on Inter4national Volunteer Day 2012. Volunteer for a better world! Join CUSO International, share skills and volunteer in 40 countries in Africa, Asia, the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean. Volunteers, donate, share skills.www.cusointernational.org

Sedigheh Minachi served in Nigeria 2012

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 16, 2012 11:57


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 country. She is completing her research here in Canada.Thanks Sedi for telling your story. Volunteer for a better world! Join CUSO International, share skills and volunteer in 40 countries in Africa, Asia, the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean. Volunteers, donate, share skills.www.cusointernational.org

Jim Tellenbach served in Fiji 2003-2004 in Secure Livelihoods

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 13, 2012 7:32


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 volunteer in 40 countries in Africa, Asia, the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean. Volunteers, donate, share skills.www.cusointernational.org

Cuso International Alumni meet in Nanaimo to share stories- Botswana and Trindad / Tobago and Vanuatu from the 1960's to 1980's

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 5, 2012 12:53


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 1980 meet with Charlotte Cameron, and Tom Cameron served in Trindad and Tobago 1967-1969.

Cuso International Alumni meet in Nanaimo to share stories- Botswana and Trindad / Tobago and Vanuatu from the 1960's to 1980's

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 5, 2012 4:45


Wayne Robertson speaks at launch of Diaspora Voices stories

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 14, 2012 7:27


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/

Rowena Koh served as a librarian in Namibia for 7 months in 2011

Play Episode Listen Later May 6, 2012 14:28


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 the region and how her work helped to provide education amongst parliamentarians on development issues. Volunteer for a better world! Join CUSO International, share skills and volunteer in 40 countries in Africa, Asia, the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean. Volunteers, donate, share skills.www.cusointernational.org

Max Adrien will be travelling to Rwanda in September 2012 to work as an education officer

Play Episode Listen Later May 5, 2012 5:54


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 he is preparing himself for the experience. Volunteer for a better world! Join CUSO International, share skills and volunteer in 40 countries in Africa, Asia, the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean. Volunteers, donate, share skills.www.cusointernational.org

Jamie Kneen worked on a community training and resource mapping project in Costa Rica from 1995-1997

Play Episode Listen Later May 4, 2012 9:14


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 knowledge and worked closely to the community in order to create successful environmental and resource management assessments. Volunteer for a better world! Join CUSO International, share skills and volunteer in 40 countries in Africa, Asia, the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean. Volunteers, donate, share skills.www.cusointernational.org

Toyah Howarth served Namibia 2010-2012

Play Episode Listen Later May 3, 2012 15:25


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 developing women's sports in Namibia and how her experiences impacted the lives of many young girls. Volunteer for a better world! Join CUSO International, share skills and volunteer in 40 countries in Africa, Asia, the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean. Volunteers, donate, share skills.www.cusointernational.org

Rowina Koh worked as a librarian in Namibia in 2011

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 16, 2012 14:28


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 dream is to build up libraries around the world in order to give people opportunities to read and learn. She talks about an interesting story about a "hidden library" found during her assignment. Rowena has returned to Vancouver.*this is an intergovernmental organization which represents all parliamentarians of 14 countries in the Southern Africa. Volunteer for a better world! Join Cuso International, share skills and volunteer in 40 countries in Africa, Asia, the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean. Volunteers, donate, share skills.www.cusointernational.org

Jamie Du Luce served as a psychotherapist in Tajikistan

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 10, 2012 13:10


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 better world! Join CUSO International, share skills and volunteer in 40 countries in Africa, Asia, the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean. Volunteers, donate, share skills.www.cusointernational.org

Katherine Nicole is going to serve in Rwanda as a Gender Specialist

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 7, 2012 5:38


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. Katherine is very excited to meet new people and to experience a new culture. We wish Katherine all the best in her adventures. Volunteer for a better world! Join CUSO International, share skills and volunteer in 40 countries in Africa, Asia, the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean. Volunteers, donate, share skills.www.cusointernational.org

Pegi Furanna-McIntosh is going to serve in Ghana as a Teacher Support

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 4, 2012 14:29


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 excited about her pending trip to Ghana and is looking forward to sharing her teaching experiences in her new environment. Volunteer for a better world! Join Cuso International, share skills and volunteer in 40 countries in Africa, Asia, the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean. Volunteers, donate, share skills.www.cusointernational.org

Peter and Debra Martin Educators in Tanzania 2011-2012

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 22, 2011 11:24


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 months along.Interviewed by Umeeda Switlo during VSO Tanzania and Tanzanian 50th anniversary. Volunteer for a better world! Join CUSO International, share skills and volunteer in 43 countries in Africa, Asia, the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean. Volunteers, donate, share skills.www.cusointernational.org

Barbara Curwen is working in Tanzania 2011-2012in the health sector

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 20, 2011 9:56


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 near Mount Kilimanjaro.Hear about her assignment in Health.Barbara on is photographed at a special 50th event. On left.Interviewed by Umeeda Switlo in Tanzania. Tanzania celebrated 50 years of independence and VSO also celebrated 50 years of development work in Tanzania. Volunteer for a better world! Join CUSO International, share skills and volunteer in 43 countries in Africa, Asia, the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean. Volunteers, donate, share skills.www.cusointernational.org

Margaret Graves is from Halifax working in Agriculture in Tanzania 2011-2012

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 20, 2011 8:47


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 stories.Interviewed by Umeeda Switlo during her visit in Tanzania in December 2011. Tanzania was celebrating its 50th year of independence and VSO Tanzania also celebrated 50 years of development work.Photo Margaret-right with fellow volunteer Samantha-left. Volunteer for a better world! Join CUSO International, share skills and volunteer in 43 countries in Africa, Asia, the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean. Volunteers, donate, share skills.www.cusointernational.org

Bairu Sium is wrorking in education in Tanzania- December 2011

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 20, 2011 8:00


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 December 2011. Tanzania was celebrating its 50th anjniversay. Volunteer for a better world! Join CUSO International , share skills and volunteer in 43 countries in Africa, Asia, the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean. Volunteers, donate, share skills.www.cusointernational.org

Bairu Sium is working in education in Tanzania for 1 year- December 2011

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 20, 2011 8:00


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 about 31 schools near Lake Victoria. Listen to his story.Interviewed by Umeeda Switlo during her visit in Tanzania in December 2011. Tanzania was celebrating its 50th anniversary. Volunteer for a better world! Join CUSO International , share skills and volunteer in 43 countries in Africa, Asia, the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean. Volunteers, donate, share skills.www.cusointernational.org

Theodros Belew Shewarget, Southern Partner from Ethiopia

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 30, 2011


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 of education has not improved as much. Theodros explains how international volunteers contribute to the development of quality education, whether it is through training teachers, assisting with education policies or with developing curriculums. 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 skills.www.cusointernational.org

Shimpei Chihara served in Vietnam 2010-2011 as Organizational Development Advisor for HIV/AIDS

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 9, 2011 12:12


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 people of Hanoi were often unrepresented and as such, began a new project for the transgender people. With new funding, he started a self help group for transgender female where they had discussions, social activities as well as transgender fashion shows. 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 skills.www.cuso-vso.org

Lorne Lewis served in Botswana from 1972 to 1975, training young mechanics

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 9, 2011 24:28


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 for three years where he taught and trained young mechanics. 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 skills.www.cuso-vso.org

Carly Bardikoff is in Rwanda as an education capacity builder- Podcast # 308

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 21, 2011 6:18


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! Join CUSO-VSO, share skills and volunteer in 43 countries in Africa, Asia, the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean. Volunteers, donate, share skills.www.cuso-vso.org

Kigali Rwanda-PERSONS WITH PSYCHOSOCIAL DISABILITIES - Umeeda reporting Podcast #307

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 21, 2011 10:52


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. Please contact umeeda.switlo@cuso-vso.org if you wish to buy some of these crafts.NOUSPR is comprised of a board of experts, who were elected by the people with psychosocial disabilities to represent their interests they are well informed and aware of their social needs.The leaders of NOUSPR are also well versed with the Rwandan culture, the bad history of human rights abuse and how people with the minority in general have been deprived of their human rights, in their own society. This experience has made the team raise the organization from mere dreams to, now with the membership of over 270. The spirit of volunteerism, with devotion and self sacrifice is currently shared by many among the members, caregivers and friends have been inspired by this spirit as well and have embraced it in their daily lives.The team also has a long history in the disability movement it has been registering successes in challenging and changing the Rwandan tradition of marginalizing people with psychosocial disabilities and in fighting stigma and discrimination. Many suffered after the 1994 genocide and are trying hard to recover. 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 skills.www.cuso-vso.org

Vasile Klaassen served in Sierra Leone Sept, 2010 to Aug, 2011- Podcast # 306

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 20, 2011 9:43


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 anticipates that the production of the rice will increase in the next three years. Though the project was successful, she says that that the most amazing aspect was to see younger people realize how they can benefit from the project and their eagerness to continue the work so their communities will benefit. 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 skills.www.cuso-vso.org

Paul Grover served in Thailand 1978-1979 Podcast # 305

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 15, 2011 5:05


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 has returned to Thailand three times with his family and feels that it is most gratifying to go back and see people are still using the things you help them built, twenty to thirty years ago. 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 skills.www.cuso-vso.org

Kasia Wilk served in Kenya 2010-2011 -Podcast #304

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 6, 2011 12:59


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 tasks. Dissatisfied by the office work, Kasai felt that she needed to be more involved in the community. She became involved in the Dallas community, the slum community, where she worked with orphaned and vulnerable children. 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 skills.www.cuso-vso.org

Marian Dodds serving in Ethiopia 2010-2013 -Podcast #303

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 29, 2011 8:35


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 volunteering at a teachers' college in the the Northeastern Highlands of Ethiopia. After a visit home to Vancouver, she is preparing to return to a new posting in Addis Ababa as a gender adviser to the Ethiopian Ministry of Education for the next two years. Follow Marian's adventures in Ethiopia on her blog at www.spiderwebsunite.wordpress.com 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 skills.www.cuso-vso.org

Ugen Lhazin CUSO-VSO West Intern -Podcast #302

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 27, 2011 4:21


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 learn more about public relations and development issues. She hopes to return to Bhutan one day and start her own organization that are geared towards empowerment of youth and children. 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 skills.www.cuso-vso.org

Dara Parker - New Public Engagement Officer CUSO-VSO West -Podcast #300

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 23, 2011 4:16


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 Association in Canada. Dara reviews the upcoming public engagement events happening over the fall. Dara will continue to record podcasts and share the amazing CUSO-VSO stories from around the world. 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 skills.www.cuso-vso.org

Wayne Helfrich served in Thailand 1969-1971 -Podcast #299

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 21, 2011 9:00


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 and the building was still there. He also had the chance to see some of his students again. He is still very much involved in international development and does fundraising for “Habitat for Humanity” here in Vancouver. 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 skills.www.cuso-vso.org

Bert Groenenberg served in Botswana 1982-1984 -Podcast #298

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 18, 2011 5:35


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. He kept volunteering in British Columbia when he came back from Africa. He now works with First Nations communities in Williams Lake. 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 skills.www.cuso-vso.org

Lillian and Bruce Mack served in Ghana 1969-1972 -Podcast #297

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 16, 2011 14:11


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. During those years, they learnt how to work with other cultures. They have worked in community development since they returned and worked closely with the First Nation communities in the Cariboo region in Williams Lake, B.C. 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 skills.www.cuso-vso.org

Don and Darleen Hendry served in Ghana 1969-1971 -Podcast #296

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 14, 2011 12:53


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 perspectives. This experience influenced the way they decided to live their lives. Listen to the lovely songs that they learnt in Ghana. Don and Darleen live in Quesnel, BC. 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 skills.www.cuso-vso.org

Judy and Pat Hughes applied for a position in Bolivia -Podcast #295

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 12, 2011 5:49


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 government in engineering. They are currently going through the recruitment process. Both work for the Province of British Columbia where CUSO-VSO has a partnership. 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 skills.www.cuso-vso.org

Margaret Turley served in Nigeria from 1981-1982 -Podcast #294

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 10, 2011 7:07


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 placement, Margaret shares amazing memories and story-telling of her journey. Margaret once ran across Canada and now lives in Kamloops. You are an amazing lady! 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 skills.www.cuso-vso.org

Mary Hunter and Bruce Petch served in Malaysia 1984-1986 and Indonesia 1987-1989 -Podcast #293

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 8, 2011 12:17


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 and then in a public primary health care service. They were both working in social justice through their job. They had a baby while in service. Bruce continues to serve in International development in Kamloops. 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 skills.www.cuso-vso.org

Calvin and Evelyn Barker served in Tanzania in 1989 -Podcast #292

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 6, 2011 5:58


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 Swahili and were very interested in all the cultural aspect of Tanzania. Calvin and Evelyn retired in Kamloops. 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 skills.www.cuso-vso.org

Trevor Chandler served in Tanzania 1970-1972 -Podcast #291

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 4, 2011 12:52


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 keeping skills. Trevor has a fabulous organic farm and is well known in the community.Trevor is more commonly known as Bwana Njoki (the bee man in Swahili) - hear the story about how he got this name. 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 skills.www.cuso-vso.org

Wayne Bennett served in Uganda from 1970-1972 -Podcast #290

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 2, 2011 10:29


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 at this time. His group mostly worked in the bush to extend the water's installation. Wayne was present during Amin's coupe. He remembers how was Uganda then. 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 skills.www.cuso-vso.org

Veena Gokhale served in Tanzania from 2005-2007-Podcast #289

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 31, 2011 8:32


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 helped with publications to inform the public. But she enjoyed her time in Dar es Salaam. 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 skills.www.cuso-vso.org

Sharon and Ken Schmucker served in Uganda from 1970-1972 -Podcast #288

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 29, 2011 6:50


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 same time he was doing capacity building training. Sharon was a primary school teacher. They served during Idi Amins time as President. 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 skills.www.cuso-vso.org

Roy Fischer served in Nigeria from 1962-1964 and Field Staff Officer in Uganda -Podcast #287

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 27, 2011 19:01


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. He was networking with the government and local non-profit to find good placement for CUSO-VSO cooperant. Roy had to close the office because of the challenges faced during Idi Amin's reign of terror. 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 skills.www.cuso-vso.org

Melvin Perry served in Guyana from 1968-1970 -Podcast #286

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 25, 2011 7:00


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. They may volunteer again in Guyana with CUSO-VSO. Another CUSO-VSO match in the field. 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 skills.www.cuso-vso.org

John Piper served in Mozambique from 1984-1987-Podcast #285

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 23, 2011 8:25


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 the Peace Treaty with South-Africa. Even if it was a hard time for the population, people never felt hopeless. 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 skills.www.cuso-vso.org

John and Brenda Armstrong served in Uganda from 1970-1972 -Podcast #284

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 21, 2011 14:02


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 were so happy with so few things. To see this simplicity changed their way of seeing life.

Hugh Winzor served in Tanzania from 1966-1969 -Podcast #283

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 19, 2011 21:13


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 and was the advisor of the tourist centre Director. He helped to launch a new magazine and a new independent press office. After that, he made his career in journalism and is now a well respected journalist at the Global Mail. 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 skills.www.cuso-vso.org

Guy Desrosiers a servi au Ghana from 1965-1968 - Podcast #282

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 17, 2011 8:47


Interviewed by Christine Messier and is in FrenchGuy 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 l'honnêteté et du sens de la solidarité dans les campagnes ghanéennes. Il a récemment réalisé un album photo sur le Ghana des années 1960 qui illustre les aventures des premiers cooperants de l'époque. 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 skills.www.cuso-vso.org

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