Pudsey-based volunteer Aidan Robinson has met International Development Secretary Rory Stewart to talk about UK aid to foreign countries.
Aidan was 50 secondary school students and Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) volunteers met with MPs and DFID officials in parliament to talk about UK aid. The event showcased the inspirational frontline work of volunteers in delivering the UK’s international development agenda.
VSO returned volunteers from the UK government-funded International Citizen Service (ICS) showcased their experiences of working on a project overseas, demonstrating the impact of volunteering abroad and the importance of the UK’s commitment to fighting poverty overseas.
Aidan Robinson, who spent 12 weeks working on an education project in Nigeria, spoke about the importance of volunteers in delivering high impact projects abroad. He said:
“The aim of our project was to empower members of our placement community to take an initiative in ensuring their children received a quality education. We accomplished this by going into four schools and working closely with teachers and the wider community in improving the education services of the schools.”
Aidan’s placement has in turn inspired him to work in the aid sector and to speak out about the importance of local aid to his local community. He said:
“The ICS programme re-affirmed my passion for charity work and my desire to work for NGOs as a career. But most importantly it has given me a greater insight into the importance and need for volunteers. It is why I feel there is a need to talk with our local communities, especially our young people, to make the change we seek.”
Felicity Morgan, Director of ICS at VSO, said:
“It’s really inspiring to hear about the fantastic work Aidan did on placement. We’re incredibly proud that UK aid is supporting young Brits to bring about positive change in some of the world’s poorest communities.
“As an organisation working on the frontline against poverty, VSO sees how people across Britain play an important role in delivering UK aid. From the NHS and Army helping end the Ebola crisis, to the millions who generously donate, and the contribution we all make through taxes, together we are all making the world a fairer, safer place.”
International Development Secretary Rory Stewart said:
“I was delighted to meet so many young volunteers with such practical and imaginative ideas on sustainable development.
“Through the International Citizen Service, my Department, working with Voluntary Service Overseas, has helped nearly 40,000 young people to take part in hugely valuable development projects around the world.
“These young people are not only helping to deliver the Global Goals, they are also fantastic ambassadors for our work on development, both in the UK and globally.”
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