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About this enewsletter
The VSAConnect E-nius is circulated to all current VSAConnect members who have supplied email addresses.
This newsletter contains a number of links which lead to items on the VSAConnect online platform, which can only be read if you are registered and logged in.
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Get the nius
Volunteer stories
The Mona Festival in photos: A series of photos from Annabel Norman which capture some of the magic of the Mona Festival Bougainville, PNG.
A poem, a letter, a story: Joanne Lentfer shares a moving poem from Zimbabwean poet Batasirai E Chigama .
Ukeleles, kumera and Celine Dion: Miriam Wood reflects on three things which remind her of her experience as a volunteer.
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Development forum
A global voice, for a global issue - Links to articles and photographs from marches all over the world calling for global action to combat the effects of climate change.
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Voluntourism: Where/how does it fit into development efforts? Or does it? - Read articles and share your opinion on how pay-to-volunteer, volunteer vacation and "volutourism" operations, fit into wider global development goals.
Ted talk: Crop insurance, an idea worth seeding - Rose Goslinga explains how insurance can be used to protect small scale farmers in remote environments.
Why is mental health such a low priority for the UN? - An article from the Guardian questions the funding of mental health treatments.
Is any awareness good awareness? - A recent project entitled "Before they..." by Jimmy Nelson raised this question. Take a look and share your opinion.
Please comment on any story on the platform by adding your thoughts to the comments section at the end of the story; or email us a new story or piece that you find interesting.
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Sarah Gywnn captivates at the Wellington VSAConnect
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Events
Upcoming
VSA Hosts Beatriz's war - The New Zealand Premiere of Beatriz's War, Timor-Leste's first feature film. Wednesday 29 October, 7.30pm. The Roxy Cinema, Wellington.
VSA Congress and dinner - Saturday the 8th of November. Watch your email inbox for your invitation.
Past
The VSAConnect event in Wellington was a success despite the weather doing its very best to dampen the spirit of the evening.
VSA hosted the South African ambassador - The ending of VSA’s provision of volunteers to South Africa was recognised on August 12, when current South African High Commissioner to New Zealand, Her Excellency Ms Zodwa Lallie and First Secretary Jeff Maake joined VSA’s Chairperson Farib Sos, CEO Gill Greer and Recruitment Manager Carolyn Mark for lunch at the VSA office in Wellington.
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Learning weaving in the Solomons (photo by Rachel Skeates)
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Focus on the Solomon Islands
VSA has been in the Solomon Islands since 1965. We are currently working in Choiseul Province, Isabel Province and Honiara but have worked in most of the nine provinces in the past. VSA has a field office in Honiara, staffed by Programme Manager Anita Edgcombe.
Did you know...?
- The Solomon Islands is made up of over 900 islands, 5,000 villages and 550, 000 people.
- The official languages are Melanesian pidgin, English (spoken by only 1-2% of the population) and 120 indigenous languages.
- There are about 50 mobile phones per 100 people in the Solomon Islands.
- The bulk of the population's livelihoods depend on agriculture, fishing or forestry. (Forestry accounts for 70% of exports and 10% of government revenue).
- In the 2014 UN Human Development report the Solomon Islands was given a Human Development Index rating of 157.
- Life expectancy is 67.9 years.
Watch a video about Mel, Rachel, Ken or Marni to learn about their experiences working in the Solomon Islands.
Read more about VSA's work in the Solomon Islands here.
Read Ken Lewis's experience as Communications Adviser with the Nature Conservancy in Honiara.
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Hi there!
I'm Rachael the new VSA Connect administrator, working with John Bowis.
I'd love to hear from you especially if you have any problems with the website or ideas for VSA Connect
or comments about anything really.
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