It was not until I went on a UNV-facilitated mission through the Shell corporate volunteering programme 'Project Better World' that I came to understand the true meaning of the word 'volunteering' and the feeling of belonging it creates. Read

By developing alternative economic activities and finding ways that local people can engage in and even benefit from the conservation process, projects as ours are able to help make local people part of the solution instead of the problem. Read

My name is Wayne A. Bacale and I am from the Philippines. My primary motivation for online volunteering is to share my knowledge and skills in report writing, editing, project monitoring and evaluation, and volunteer management while at the same time learning new strategies in this area of specialization. Read

You're not seen as a 'hero' who brings wealth and development, but you’re more seen as a person who can support a developing plan initiated at local level by the country’s people. Read

From Liberia, Emmanuel Bryma Momoh, a UNV volunteer Human Rights Officer with the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) Human Rights and Protection Section, shares his thoughts and activities from 16 days dedicated to promoting human rights. Read

One day after returning to Southern Sudan, she knocked on the door of UNHCR, asking for support. With a modest amount of funds provided by UNHCR, she started soap making, formed a community group and now trains other group members. Read

Mine is not like other projects. It is a pioneering initiative for increasing the participation of people living with HIV themselves in the planning and implementation of HIV/AIDS activities and other efforts to improve their lives, families and communities. Read

The theme of the day was highlighting the human rights of street children, and to raise awareness of HIV/AIDS, substance abuse and poverty. All these messages were reflected in plays and songs performed by the former street children of Prayas ('effort'), now going to school. Read

Upon his arriving at the stall, I saw Mr. Skelemani had on his jacket a UNV sticker. He told me he has volunteered all his life, still enjoys volunteering and is passionate about it. He therefore encourages youth to adopt that spirit. Read

I was in Kyrgyzstan not for a cultural exchange, but was sent there on a capacity-building mission. To get over a difficult situation, I tried to think like a recruit of my host NGO. Read