Zomba Central Hospital, Malawi: Prevention is better than cure. A UNV volunteer doctor in Malawi is putting this adage into practice with a health education programme that harnesses the volunteer spirit. Read

Bonn, Germany: UNV volunteer bone specialist Dr. Robert Lapyam Ayelle describes his work in Malawi as "fighting a war". "We are working under very difficult conditions. The doctors now working in Africa are really tired. You are stretched beyond your limits," he says. Read

Lilongwe, Malawi: For the past few weeks, UNV volunteer Laura Collins can not help but notice the "Stop Child Abuse" stickers posted in the main town square of the capital Lilongwe. The campaign aims to break the silence around child abuse and convince leaders to commit to prevent and respond to violence, exploitation and abuse against children – including commercial sexual exploitation, trafficking, child labour and harmful traditional practices, such as early marriages. Read

Bonn, Germany: Every day, countless citizens volunteer their time, energy and skills in response to crises or people in need. International Volunteer Day (IVD) was instituted to make visible and recognize the contribution of these unknown heroes, who, by their engagement, bring their countries one step closer to the Millennium Development Goals. Read

Bonn, Germany: Social anthropologist Lesley Holst is trying to sensitize more than 100,000 farmers in Malawi on gender issues. The UN Volunteer from Denmark is now working as a gender adviser with the National Smallholder Farmers’ Association of Malawi (NASFAM). Read

UNV hopes to continue its leadership role in HIV/AIDS in Malawi by using the UNV modality to address the impact of HIV/AIDS on human resources in the public service. UN Volunteers' current contribution to Malawi Currently, there are 13 UN Volunteers working in Malawi. Additional support to Malawi's efforts to combat HIV/AIDS is provided by a public health specialist and a HIV/AIDS adviser. Read

BONN: With the help of international UNV field workers, villagers in Bangladesh make up their own minds on what must be done in their communities. Living directly with the people in rural areas, the 33 UN Volunteers from Sri Lanka, India, Nepal and the Philippines consult with a wide range of youth and other community groups on what is needed, whether it be better health care for all or improved schooling for their children. Read

BONN: A United Nations International Short-Term Advisory Resources (UNISTAR) adviser made two trips to the region in 1999 to support the Government in developing plans to invest profits from oil for vocational training and environmental protection. The adviser also worked with his longer-term UNV colleagues to design a workplan for the Atyrau Sustainable Development Centre, which promotes community participation in health and social services. Read

Bonn, Germany: UN studies note that a record 2.6 million people died from the HIV/AIDS pandemic in 1999 and another 5.6 million became infected with the virus that causes AIDS. The fight against HIV/AIDS is not only medical. The stigma of AIDS and its effect on societies is also an enemy UN Volunteers are combating. UNVs -- many of them infected with HIV -- have stepped into the open to give a human face and voice to the epidemic. Read

Bonn, Germany: Zingwangwa is a densely populated suburb of Blantyre in Malawi – until recently without a meeting place or recreational facilities young people (some 64% of the population) could call their own. Then UNICEF, in co-operation with the government’s Youth Department, stepped in with its "Youth Participation Programme." Read