“The biggest challenge is when I have to put on big shoes and walk the same way I do with my normal size shoes,” says UN Volunteer Elisha Laizer. By this I mean: “When my clients expect quality service regardless of the in­adequate resources I have on the ground.” Read

It is such an honour to be a UN Volunteer, serving in my own country, and seeing the positive impact that the Cisco Networking Academy ICTs educational programme is having. Read

The camp helped to increase awareness among the participants about volunteerism and the importance of voluntary actions for community mobilization and local development. Read

I was moved by the every-day effort, patience and engagement of the volunteers who committed their time for this valuable initiative. Read

UNV supported The Ideas Partnership, a local NGO, with text books and stationery for their catch-up classes to Roma children who are preparing for a test to register into formal schooling. Read

During my six-month stay in Oecusse, Timor-Leste, I travelled to conduct assessment surveys of proposed new polling centres. Due to the frequent rain, most of the polling centres can be reached only by crossing a number of rivers. This is one of the most challenging aspects of my work - the slippery and winding roads and river beds make it dangerous and difficult to drive during rainy season. Read

Being an international UN Volunteer enabled me to increase my knowledge about issues regarding the rights of indigenous peoples…  Bolivia is exceptionally rich in culture, with more than 36 indigenous groups facing very different realities and human rights problems. I had the chance to work with many of these people by giving training on human rights, and specifically on the rights of indigenous peoples. Read

Gloria Kaberia (Kenya), a UNV Associate Community Services Officer in Sri Lanka, tells us what motivates her to volunteer during her free time at the Karuna Nivasa home for elderly and mentally ill women.    Read

Seungho Han (Korea), a former UNV Environment Specialist with UNDP in Lao PDR, recalls his last field vist to a remote village where the community joyously launched a small hydro power system they had built themselves.   Read

German Robles Osuna (Mexico) shares his impressions of the closure of the United Nations Mission in Central African Republic and Chad (MINURCAT) in Abeche, Chad. Read