Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo: UNV volunteers are a familiar sight in UN peacekeeping missions, and many work hand-in-hand with the military.

Kristen Petillon, one of six UNV volunteers deployed with Joint Protection Teams in North Kivu, talks about his work keeping civilians safe and human rights respected. Read

Colombo, Sri Lanka: Legal Empowerment Volunteer T.V.B.U Apsara sees herself as "making the concept of 'equality before law' more realistic" for marginalized people. She volunteers via a UNV-designed scheme that helps people understand their legal rights. Read

Goz Beida, Chad: The impact of our work may not be immediate and visible, but people have respect for it and view it as exemplary - and sometimes strange… we foreigners giving up their easy lives to come and assist them. Read

La Paz, Bolivia: "In Bolivia, many women do not know what people trafficking really means," says Sara Rodríguez-Argüelles, a UNV volunteer working with UNIFEM. But her work helps prevent women from finding out the hard way.

"Prevention is the key because, although trafficking is categorized as a crime in Bolivia, it is extremely difficult for someone to be arrested for it." Read

Miragoane, Haiti: "Water is a very serious problem here in Haiti," says UNV volunteer Civil Affairs Officer Alexandra Simpson, "and it is one that especially touches the lives of women." Many women walk for hours to collect water but Ms. Simpson is helping to ease the burden. Read