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Parents' hard work motivated Solomons volunteer
Roseanne Ulunga, who returned to Auckland in July after volunteering as an engineer in the Solomons, features in a charming video clip about why she volunteered and the debt she owed to her parents for their support over the years.
She also talks about the challenges she faced on assignment, from splashes of betel nut juice to working to 'Solomon time', and female role models who inspired her to become an engineer.
R.I.P. Sue Watt: an active and valued VSA supporter
VSA extends its sympathy to the family of Sue Watt, the chair of Wellington’s VSA branch who passed away peacefully in her sleep in the early hours of Sunday, 9 September 2018, aged 71.
Sue had a long and distinguished career in development, including 20 years with UNICEF. In 1994, she began a decade on VSA’s Council and she remained an active and valued member of the organisation. Life member Gavin Kerr paid Sue this tribute >
MoU clears way for volunteers to return to Tuvalu
Hilary Boyes will depart for an assignment in Tuvalu early next year, the first VSA volunteer in the tiny island nation for more than 20 years. VSA is resuming operations there as a result of an MoU signed between VSA and the Tuvalu Government early in October.
Hilary will volunteer as an environmental adviser. The last of just five volunteers who have served in Tuvalu was Peter Thomber, a teacher in 1995-1996.
Tuvalu lies over 1100 km north of Fiji and has a population of just over 10,500. It consists of three reef islands and six atolls and has an average elevation of 1.83m above sea level.
Marlborough volunteer helps quell Canadian fires
Steve Smith's volunteering CV includes not only two stints with VSA in the Solomons, but also a month fighting wildfires in British Columbia.
Steve, a volunteer firefighter from Blenheim, spent most of September with a group of Marlborough firefighters helping to quell fires that raged across the Canadian province. The terrain and intensity of the fires was unlike anything they had experienced before, reported the Marlborough Sun.
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Excellent response to returned volunteer survey
Thanks to the 369 respondents to our returned volunteer survey that circulated during September and October. The responses will give VSA valuable insights into volunteering's long-term impact, not only on volunteers but also on their New Zealand communities and the communities where they served.
Responses are now being collated and full results will be presented later. In the meantime here's a few snapshots of our returned volunteers:
- The top motivations to volunteer were 'the opportunity to live in a new place and culture' (70%), and a desire 'to "give back"' (61%).
- 83% have kept in touch with people they met on assignment: 80% with other volunteers and 60% with members of their partner organisation.
- 57% are interested in going on another assignment.
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