VSO Lifechanges magazine online spring 2015

LifechangesFor VSO supporters Winter 2015

Right now, your support is changing lives

EBOLA CRISIS RESPONSEYour generous support is saving lives in Sierra Leone

WOMEN IN POWERJoin our call to make women’s voices heard

TYPHOON HAIYAN ONE YEAR ONDealing with the reality of climate change and natural disasters

THE BIG PICTUREHow you changed lives last year

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In this issue... Dear Friends,

Welcome to your new edition of Lifechanges magazine.

In this issue, we are focusing on women. Gender inequality plays a huge role in perpetuating poverty in developing countries. So in this magazine, you can find out about how everyone benefits when women’s voices are heard - and why VSO is working hard to get gender equality on the international agenda for 2015 and beyond.

You’ll also see that we’re talking about the Ebola crisis. Many of you responded to our emergency Ebola appeal for Sierra Leone in December, and I really can’t thank you enough. There is still so much to do, but you’ll see over the next few pages how we’re responding across the country - and you’re making this possible. If you decide to give another gift today, it will also go straight to Sierra Leone.

It gives me so much hope that people like you will support others in their time of need – helping them to overcome a crisis and allowing them to build a future free from poverty. And I hope that you feel optimistic for the future when you see in the magazine exactly what your kindness makes possible.

Thank you, sincerely, for everything you do. Yours, Lia Korn, Lifechanges Editor

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Ebola appeal update

A volunteer’s view on Ebola

VSO’s Ebola response

Interview with Angela Salt

Women in power

Judith’s will to end poverty

Typhoon Haiyan - one year on

Now and then... Kenya

Annual report summary

Take part

Ebola appeal for Sierra LeoneIn December, we sent our supporters an emergency appeal from former volunteer and Channel 4 newsreader, Jon Snow. We asked for your help to give hope to the people of Sierra Leone who are suffering so much as a result of the current Ebola outbreak. VSO has worked in Sierra Leone for more than 50 years, and the personal accounts of loss are devastating.

It’s no surprise that our loyal donors have responded generously to our appeal, but we are nonetheless overwhelmed at the kindness and compassion shown so far. Thank you.

Many local health workers who had been supporting VSO, trying to improve the fragile health infrastructure prior

to the outbreak, have tragically lost their lives. We want to honour their loss by ensuring the change they were working towards is still possible. Thanks to you we have made a start, and in the following pages you can read about how you are enabling us to fight Ebola and ensure people get the help they need, now and into the future.

Please accept our sincere thanks for your support. If you can donate again today, your money will go directly to Sierra Leone where it is desperately needed. www.vso.org.uk/ebola

Lia Korn

A volunteer’s view on the tragedy of EbolaVolunteer nurse Laura Woods was on a placement in Sierra Leone when the first cases of Ebola were confirmed. Now back in the UK, she describes the fear that gripped the community and makes a heartfelt plea for action.

“There was initially a feeling of denial about Ebola, that it won’t come here. But one day, returning from a field visit, we received a call from a doctor with the terrible words, ‘This one’s positive’. I’ll never forget the look on my colleagues’ faces.

“My role was to train maternal health care students. But as the disease took hold, women stopped coming to the clinic because they were terrified of being infected or misdiagnosed. There were so many rumours going round. People were saying Ebola was being injected into people or even that if you drank bleach it could save you. I got involved in workshops with local youth groups so I could replace these damaging rumours with facts.

“The sad thing is that the needs in Sierra Leone were already so great – in my district there were only five midwives covering 110 clinics. My students should have qualified in December, and this didn’t happen. VSO had made fantastic progress in maternal health, but because of Ebola women are staying at home to give birth instead of coming to clinics. Tragically, this means more women and babies will die of complications that we’ve taught health workers to deal with. It will take a long time to regain trust in the system.

“The sad thing is that the needs in Sierra Leone were already so great”

“It was heartbreaking saying goodbye to my colleagues and the neighbours I’d grown to love. I was crying on the plane. Soon after I got home I heard that one of the nurses I’d been working with had died. Ebola is an experience I never expected to have, but it’s made me realise even more how important VSO’s work is. The effects of this outbreak will be felt for years and VSO will be there throughout. Your support really does makea difference – so please, please give whatever you can to help the people of Sierra Leone get through this.”

To donate directly to Sierra Leone today, please visit www.vso.org.uk/ebola

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Laura Woods was volunteering as a midwife trainer before the Ebola crisis hit the area she worked in

Ibrahim Bangura, who recently became a father, is a VSO programme supervisor in Freetown. He describes living in the shadow of Ebola. “At first Ebola was something far away, but now we know the people who are dying. Eight of my relatives died in just four days – my uncle and his wife and kids. Now lots of people are going through the same thing as I am.

“Even one pound would help, believe me”

“Everything is shut down. There are no social activities, no going out. It’s the psychological aspect that is hardest for us – the worry and strain of living this way. This is more than a war; it’s a war where you cannot see the enemy but it’s more deadly. The health workers are so stretched. They need more people and more materials. But the situation is easing with every bit of help that arrives. We need more of that. Even one pound would help, believe me.”

• Trained district social mobilisation committees in 14 districts to provide a fast, effective and coordinated response to Ebola, with an emphasis on pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and children.

• Distributed personal protective equipment includinggloves, hand sanitiser and face masks to health facitilies to minimise the spread of infection and ensure that pregnant women, mothers and children receive health services in a safe environment.

• Provided transport so that expectant and new mothers continue to benefit from vital, often life-saving antenatal and postnatal services and assistance in childbirth.

• Raised awareness and dispelled myths about Ebola through public meetings, radio discussions and training health workers, to encourage expectant and new mothers to attend clinics.

This is a great start – but we need to do so much more. Please help in whatever way you can.

£20 could pay for gloves, soap and sanitiser kits to be delivered to individual households

£50 could provide psychosocial support for eight frontline health workers for one month

£200 could support and train a community social mobiliser to raise awareness about Ebola prevention and treatment

Living in the shadow of Ebola

VSO’s Ebola response With your help, we’ve already:

Ibrahim, pictured with his son, is worried for his family

Donate now at www.vso.org.uk/ebola

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UK Director Angela Salt OBE shares her thoughts about the need to end gender inequality, her sadness at the impact of Ebola on Sierra Leone, and her passionate belief in the power of volunteering.

In her former role on the London 2012 Olympics committee, Angela Salt helped people across the UK feel part of an event that touched the world. Joining VSO in January 2013, she was determined to bring more people on board in the fight against poverty. “I don’t think development can happen without voluntary action and engaged citizens,” she explains. “Harnessing the power of volunteers is something VSO’s done for 55 years, and done very well.

“Unless we tackle gender inequality, we’re not going to be able to end poverty”

“There’s a genuine sharing of skills and expertise between volunteers and local people to bring about change. Volunteers embed themselves in communities: they have a lot of respect from local people and partners, and that makes a big difference. It’s vital that people are involved in their own development, that it isn’t something that’s done to them by outsiders.”

Angela’s passionate about the role of women in driving this development. “Women prioritise things which could help overcome poverty for whole communities; care

for family members, access to water and health care – all areas where women carry most of the burden. Unless we tackle gender inequality, and women become more involved in decision-making, we’re not going to be able to end poverty.”

Having visited Sierra Leone, Angela is particularly saddened by the terrible effects of Ebola on the country. “I think of the people I met, the local volunteers and our partners, and I wonder if they’re even alive. Anything we can do, we want to do. We’re getting in touch with all our UK health volunteers here at VSO to see if they can help, and encouraging people to give what they can. The impact of Ebola will be felt for years – the hard work starts after the TV cameras have gone home. We must make sure that people get the care they need, not just now but in the longer term too.”

“I try to keep the people we work for in my mind and in my heart all the time,” she reflects. “People the world over are very much the same – we all want to earn a living, be healthy, have schools for our children. We all want a choice, a voice.”

Angela Salt on bringing people together to fight poverty

Let us know your thoughts on VSO’s work at [email protected]

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“We all want a choice, a voice”

WOMEN IN POWER

Of the 1.4 billion people who live in extreme poverty, almost two-thirds are women. Women do most of the world’s work and produce half of its food, but earn just ten per cent of the world’s income and own just one per cent of its property. Despite suffering most from poverty, women have the least say on what’s done to tackle it.

Gender inequality isn’t just unfair – it’s also a major barrier to overcoming poverty, as women’s voices go unheard and their needs are ignored. For nearly 60 years, we’ve seen how gender discrimination fuels and perpetuates poverty around the world. But we’ve also seen that when women and girls have an education, know their rights and are involved in decision-making, they can help lift themselves, their families and their entire communities out of poverty. That’s why it’s crucial that more women participate in and influence public and political life.

In September 2015, the Millennium Development Goals will be replaced by a new ‘post-2015’ international development plan, which is being negotiated at the UN. This is a critical opportunity to address women’s lack of power in decision-making at every level of society, compared to men. It’s simply too important to miss.

That’s why VSO’s Women in Power campaign is keeping global attention on these important issues.

Specifically, we’re calling for the post-2015 framework to include:

• A stand-alone goal on empowering women and girls and achieving gender equality.

• A target on eliminating discrimination against women and increasing the participation and influence of women at all levels of public and political life.

• A commitment to indicators that measure real progress in increasing women’s participation and influence.

There’s never been a better time to put women’s rights at the heart of the international development agenda – which is why VSO is running a campaign to end gender inequality and make women’s voices heard. Welcome to Women in Power.

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At the current rate of progress, it will take 120 years before women make up half of all world leaders.

Worlwide, only one in five parliamentarians is a woman.

Women make up almost two-thirds of people globally who live in extreme poverty.

“I became a development advocate for VSO mainly because I’m a massive geek! I’m from a public affairs and policy background, and I’m really interested in global issues and development, so I just slid into the role.

The UN conference in August 2014 was an important opportunity for civil society to contribute to the post-2015 agenda. I was there as a representative of VSO and as an official UN Youth Blogger – the ‘eyes and ears’ of the conference. I went to all the different discussions and workshops, and filed lots of blog posts, where I talked about the barriers faced by people with disabilities and the particular challenges for women and girls.

Whilst Rwanda has made strides in promoting gender equality, girls with disabilities still remain marginalised and encounter many more barriers to education, healthcare and employment. Its important that all women and girls have the same chances, including those with disabilities. That’s why I’ve been working on the Girls’ Education policy, making sure the Government of Rwanda takes the needs of girls with disabilities into account. This means providing specialist teaching as well as things like physical access and sanitation facilities.

It’s really important that people like me, who have experience on the ground, had the chance to participate at the UN conference – to bring the issues to life and talk about the impact of the global goals on ordinary people. We’ll have to wait and see what the new framework looks like when it’s finalised in September 2015. It’s a positive sign that one of the biggest rounds of applause at the conference was in response to the statement that women need to be involved in all decision-making. Women are often at the core of anchoring a community and enabling education, peace and stability. I wish more women were able to do that.”

We asked VSO volunteer Kate Turner to attend a UN civil society conference to help shape the post-2015 development framework. She tells us how her work on girls’ education in Rwanda gave her a unique perspective to push for disability and gender rights.

Your voice counts

Women’s participation in decision-making could improve the lives of countless women and men living in poverty around the world. Please help us to seize this important opportunity – sign our petition today and get involved at vso.org.uk/WiP

Kate Turner, who is currently volunteering in Rwanda, went to the UN to advocate for women’s rights

Of the 1.4 billion people who live in extreme poverty, almost two-thirds are women... Gender inequality isn’t just unfair – it’s also a major barrier to overcoming poverty...”

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Why did you want to volunteer?I saw an article in the local paper when I was still at school. My mother said I was so determined they had to let me go! I wished to be helpful. I was only 18 when I went to Tanzania to teach English.

How do you support VSO now?I was part of the local VSO group about ten years ago and I got very involved in fundraising – I started an open garden scheme in the village and we raised several thousand pounds over a few years. The local VSO group re-energised me. I felt very enthusiastic meeting other people who had volunteered in later life.

“It’s very important to choose a charity you strongly believe in”

Why do you think VSO’s work is important?There’s a very strong focus on what the needs are in the countries VSO works in. I visited VSO Jitolee and I found it inspiring that people in Kenya were volunteering in other countries then coming back and using their skills and experience in their local communities.

Why did you decide to leave VSO a gift in your Will?I think it’s very important to choose a charity that you strongly believe in. The support doesn’t have to stop when you die. It’s my way of offering a small amount to help VSO to keep working in the way it is already.

Judith’s will to end poverty

A gift for the futureLeaving a gift to VSO in your Will means you’ll continue empowering people to fight their way out of poverty well in to the future. It’s easy to do and we can support you. If you want to find out more about leaving this incredible gift, please contact Heidi on [email protected]

As a teenage volunteer in Tanzania in 1961, Judith Wilson OBE discovered a passion for fighting poverty that stayed with her all her life. We talked to her about her placement, her continuing support, and her legacy to VSO.

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Protecting communities from disaster one year on from Typhoon Haiyan In November 2013, more than 6,000 people died and over five million more were made homeless when Typhoon Haiyan struck the Philippines; In December 2014, thousands braced themselves against another fierce typhoon. Here’s how your support is enabling communities to protect themselves against disaster.

Anita Ayuban, a community leader in Bohol region, has lived her entire life facing floods and typhoons, and knows all too well the terror they bring. “One year our roof was blown off. We went underground for safety, but it filled up with water,” she recalls. “I was very afraid, especially for my children.” Thankfully, the family were rescued, but Anita remains haunted by the experience. Now, thanks to you, she’s helping her community take action to save lives in the future.

Anita’s one of 40 local leaders in her town to have taken part in a workshop run by volunteer Arnoud Keizer, an engineer and disaster-prevention expert from the Netherlands, who is being supported by a partnership between the EU and VSO. Arnoud is training community leaders across the country to use GPS devices to digitally map their villages. This means they can identify vital infrastructure such as schools and hospitals, and decide on safe routes and evacuation centres. After the workshops, leaders like Anita train local volunteers to get more people actively involved in their community’s disaster preparation plans.

“Disasters often happen in the Philippines, yet a lot of the emphasis is on how to respond to disasters instead of preparing for and preventing them,” explains Arnoud. As well as running community workshops, he’s supporting the national government to develop sophisticated 3D “hazard maps” that will accurately predict which areas will be affected by flooding.

Arnoud recently visited Tacloban city, which was all but destroyed by Typhoon Haiyan. “It was really devastating to see that an evacuation centre had been placed so close to the sea where a lot of people died… our project could have prevented these types of casualties. Using the maps it is clear that this is not a safe location.”

Back in Bohol, Anita’s feeling a lot more confident about coping with future weather extremes, thanks to the training. “The maps help you know where it is safe to go so you can have a proper plan in place. This will save lives.”

Volunteers needed!Could you help make the kind of difference Arnoud’s making by sharing your skills and experience as a VSO volunteer?

Call our Supporter Care team on 0208 780 7500 or email [email protected]

“Disasters often happen in The Philippines, yet a lot of the emphasis is on how to respond to disasters instead of preparing for and preventing them”

Volunteer Arnoud is training people like Anita to use technology to lead her community to safety in a disaster

VSO in Kenya today

VSO has been in Kenya since 1959. Today the emphasis is on national volunteering, which empowers local people to understand and

drive the development of their own communities. Kenyan volunteers also share their skills in other African countries and worldwide. Our work in Kenya focuses on:

Disability and education – ensuring the rights of people with disabilities are respected and their needs met, and increasing access to education for children with disabilities.

Health – strengthening health systems and information at the local, county and national level, enabling vulnerable people to receive quality health care.

Livelihoods – enabling people to make a living by improving access to markets, training, financial and other support services.

In the first of a series of regular features on changing times in the countries we work in, we talked to VSO volunteer and long-term supporter Jane Dauncey, who went to Kenya as a nurse back in 1968.

“My placement was at a health centre which was predominantly for children with malnutrition, although we also helped lots of children with polio. It washeartening to see those children who were suffering with polio and unable to walk on arrival, later walking out of the clinic after physio.

My role was to train a local nurse, Annabelle, and educate a team of village health workers on nutrition and first aid. It was supposed to be a two-year placement but I came back after 18 months because I’d worked myself out of a job! Annabelle was ready to run the centre and manage

the health workers herself by then, and I was hindering her by staying.

I’ve been back to Kenya several times. There’s much less evidence of severe malnutrition now, and of course polio has been eradicated, but water is still scarce and HIV/AIDS is much more of a problem. It’s wonderful to see how the power of the mobile phone is transforming lives, with people in remote places now able to call and get medical advice.

My whole career was based on experience I gained during my placement, and I’ve been supporting VSO ever since. I really believe in its principles of sustainability. Countries like Kenya are now providing volunteers, and that’s fantastic.”

Now and then... Kenya

Jane Dauncey (centre) volunteered in Kenya as a nurse trainer in 1968. On the left is a photo of Annabelle, the nurse Jane trained. On the right is a little girl with polio beginning to walk again.

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How you changed lives last year

People are the driving force of VSO – the volunteers who share their time and knowledge for free, the local people they work with, and loyal supporters like you who make it all possible. Here’s an idea of the amazing difference you made last year.

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In 2013/14 we supported over 660 partners, working at every level of society, from national government organisations to local health and education facilities.

Through our partners we made a difference in the lives of over two million people and trained over 174,000 people, working across more than 30 countries.

We work in four thematic areas: education, health (including HIV and AIDS), secure livelihoods, and participation and governance; with three cross-cutting themes: disability, gender and climate change.

“Some organisations come, give assistance and don’t leave anything. VSO leaves us knowledge and that is its strength.”

Usha Shanmuganathan, Social Economists and Environmental Developers (VSO partner organisation in Sri Lanka)

Strategic grant from DFID Education

Other governmental income Health, HIV and AIDS

Other charitable organisations

Participation and governance

Individuals Secure livelihoods

Companies Grants to ICS Consortium partners

Trusts and Foundations Cost of generating funds

Other grants and donations Governance costs

Events and Community

Income2013/14£68.7m

32%

45%

5%

7%

3%1%

3%

4%

Expenditure2013/14£68.2m

23%

20%

9%18%

17%

10%

3%

TAKE PART

Join us as we trek through Myanmar’s captivating land, which is rich in natural beauty and culture. This trip will give you a unique flavour of daily life in this fascinating and unspoilt country, with the opportunity to visit a VSO project first-hand, highlighting how your support is changing lives for those living in extreme poverty.

5 March 2016 to 14 March 2016

To book your charity place on this challenge of a lifetime and for details of other fundraising challenges you can take part in to support the work of VSO please visit: www.vso.org.uk/trek-myanmar

Prudential Ride London 100Sign up to take part in this incredible cycling event in support of VSO. The 100-mile route is on fully closed roads, taking in parts of the Olympic road-race route. It starts in the new Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, then follows the closed roads through the capital and on to Surrey’s stunning countryside and hills.

Sunday 2 August 2015

To book your charity place on this epic challenge please visit:www.vso.org.uk/events/cycling/ride-london-2015

For more information contact us at [email protected] or on 0208 780 7500VSO is a company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales registered number 703509. Registered Office 100 London Road, Kingston upon Thames KT2 6QJ, England. Charity Registration 313757 (England and Wales) SCO39117 (Scotland). Copyright © 2010-2014 VSO unless otherwise stated.

Trek through Myanmar