Speaker Report Dr Philippa Smales Director Stakeholder Engagement VSA Volunteer Service Abroad (VSA) was established in New Zealand in 1962 with a focus on
improving education and healthcare in developing countries in Africa, Asia and the Pacific.
improving education and healthcare in developing countries in Africa, Asia and the Pacific.
This focus has now changed from providing staff, to build capability and capacity in-country, primarily in the Pacific. They receive financial support from the New Zealand government as part of the government’s Aid contribution. Sir Edmund Hilary was VSA’s founding President as there was strong congruence with his philosophy on volunteering abroad and his son and daughter maintain a strong connection with VSA today. Philippa joined the organisation in 2022 to oversee communications, membership, fundraising and regional and Aotearoa based partnerships. Partner organisations include New Zealand businesses where, for example, an organisation might send staff for professional development and leadership opportunities. They work together with other partners such as Fred Hollows, Oxfam and Tear Fund to complement their activity and build
expertise.
VSA has an alumnus of over 4000 volunteers and during any one calendar year up to 150 volunteers are deployed. The recruitment process is designed to ensure every volunteer is working for an organisation that has requested assistance and where a counterpart is available.
Volunteer motivations vary. For example, they might be interested in international development, maybe see how volunteering might contribute to career progression, they can
be retired (volunteers can be up to 75years) and keen to give back – or just might need time out from their current circumstance. Partners can accompany volunteers (they often
volunteer as well), but families cannot be accommodated due to the costs. Repeat volunteers are welcomed with the record for a single volunteer is 9 deployments!
Skills demand varies from agriculturalist and horticulturists – responding to climate change and growing in challenging soil conditions; bee keeping; IT and tax specialists and trade,
medical and education experts. We were encouraged to champion VSA and we are well represented by Ryan Donovan, a member of our Club. We saw footage of the work he is
doing as a conservation assistant in Tonga – working on restoring the health of wetlands and streams. Great work Ryan.
expertise.
VSA has an alumnus of over 4000 volunteers and during any one calendar year up to 150 volunteers are deployed. The recruitment process is designed to ensure every volunteer is working for an organisation that has requested assistance and where a counterpart is available.
Volunteer motivations vary. For example, they might be interested in international development, maybe see how volunteering might contribute to career progression, they can
be retired (volunteers can be up to 75years) and keen to give back – or just might need time out from their current circumstance. Partners can accompany volunteers (they often
volunteer as well), but families cannot be accommodated due to the costs. Repeat volunteers are welcomed with the record for a single volunteer is 9 deployments!
Skills demand varies from agriculturalist and horticulturists – responding to climate change and growing in challenging soil conditions; bee keeping; IT and tax specialists and trade,
medical and education experts. We were encouraged to champion VSA and we are well represented by Ryan Donovan, a member of our Club. We saw footage of the work he is
doing as a conservation assistant in Tonga – working on restoring the health of wetlands and streams. Great work Ryan.