CUSO-VSO
CUSO and VSO Canada have merged to form CUSO-Voluntary Service Overseas, one of North America's largest international development organizations that works through volunteers. The two agencies joined forces to more effectively work towards our vision of a world without poverty or injustice. The act of volunteering can be transformative for both the overseas communities and the volunteers themselves. That's why CUSO-VSO believes we are changing the world, one volunteer at a time. As a strengthened CUSO-VSO, we can send more volunteers to work in solidarity with more partner groups in more countries. CUSO was founded in 1961, and VSO Canada started in 1995. Combined, they placed over 12,000 volunteers who contributed to a world of solutions in Africa, Asia, the Pacific, the Americas and the Caribbean.
Episodes
August 1, 2009 • 16 mins
George has served in several countries on different assignments. He has refined his skills and loves sharing them from Zanzibar, Tanzania, Uganda and Ethiopia.
Thanks George you have made a real difference sharing your skills.
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August 1, 2009 • 8 mins
George continues his story of his projects and partners from Ethiopia to Uganda
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August 1, 2009 • 11 mins
George Harris was very young when he started his first assignment. He has worked for CUSO, volunteered and married Shirley Lord and gone with her on assignment. Listen to this life long commitment to international work.George is preparing for his next assignment soon. He lives in Winnipeg with his wife Shirley.
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July 29, 2009 • 29 mins
Helen now lives in Comox and is a freelance writer. She has served with Science International, CBC, and is an accomplished Producer, Director and Writer.
She talked to me about the founders and the first 16 volunteers that served in India, Malaysia and Borneo. Who were these pioneers.
Started with an idea from Keith Spicer PhD and Donald K Farris PhD.To Serve and Learn.
Key players Fred Stintson,Ozzie Schmidt,Lewis Perinbaum, Suza...
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July 29, 2009 • 7 mins
Helen Startowski is an extraordinary woman and a pioneer for CUSO-VSO. In 1961, the Canadian Overseas Volunteers (COV), to become CUSO, sent its first 15 volunteers out on assignments, Helen was one of those volunteers. She majored in languages (Russian, English and Polish). Working in Toronto she met with Keith Spicer who was doing his PhD at U of Toronto at the time. He was inspired by Donald K Farris PhD who wrote the book calle...
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July 18, 2009 • 9 mins
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July 13, 2009 • 8 mins
Geoff Ripat is back in Winnipeg and back at work. He was on his way out when I arrived. I spent a wonderful few hours talking to the family about Bolivia
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July 13, 2009 • 3 mins
When Jill left Canada with her young family and her husband Geoff Ripat it was Geoff who had the assignment. Geoff was to do a labour market study in Cochabama mines with Kinde Nolte. This NGO works to benefit children and families. Geoff is a social worker.
Jill was an accompanying spouse and began settling her family. She then found s position with the Save the Children helping children write to foster parents. She then went on t...
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July 13, 2009 • 5 mins
Maureen brought back her Muneca in traditional dress ( Cholita) Sam brought back a flute
They tell me about their art lessons, Piano and school.
I think their stay in Bolivia will connect them to the country for a lifetime.
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July 13, 2009 • 9 mins
Many people ask about taking their children on assignment. Geoff Ripat and Jill Cooper have recently returned from Bolivia. They left 4 year and 7 months ago with their two lovely children. Maureen was 6 when she left and is 11 now. She speaks beautiful Spanish. Maureen was 6 when she left. She talks about friends and how much she misses Bolivia in English and Spanish.
Sam Ripat was 3 when he left Canada and is now 8 years old. He ...
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July 11, 2009 • 27 mins
Over 700 Manitobans have served with CUSO and VSO now the combined alumni of CUSO-VSO. We met recently at the Manitoba Council for International Cooperation office in Winnipeg. www.mcic.ca
Our Alumni included Kate Moncaster, Jude Carlson,
Carol Ann Coish,John Westdal,Shirley Lord, George Harris
Geof Rippat, Jill Cooper,Jane Stewart,Dennis Lewycky ,Ashleigh Mitchell,Lambert, Denyse Lambert,
Katharine Bergbusch,Kate Moncaster,Carol ...
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July 3, 2009 • 19 mins
Eva has just returned from a 4 month placement in China as a Funding Advisor for HIV/ AIDS
She talks about the challenges in the region and the work she contributed to with her partners in the field. Eva is still on "assignment" as a Distance placement. I do think we will see more of this type of placement in the future.
Thanks Eva for all your work and contributions.
Eva Zaleski lives in Calgary , Alberta
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July 3, 2009 • 4 mins
A community activist
Eva is a person concerned about the world and prepared to put her inquisitive mind to work
From working in Geology to Diaspora volunteering in Guyana then to China to work as a funding advisor for HIV/AIDS.
Listen to Eva' story .... continued.
We did this interview in a coffee shop with the sound of grinders and people. I think it adds a real life element to the podcast... you may disagree
Photo:Eva looking dow...
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July 3, 2009 • 3 mins
Eva has a PhD in Geology. She describes herself as a " Hard Rock Doctor". She worked on Canadian shield mapping.
She describes some forms of mining as "long term environmental impact for short term gain"
Eva is a community activist by nature and has served VSO and now CUSO-VSO for over 2 years. Her assignments have been varied. A perfect case of an inquisitive mind.
Her first service was in Guyana doing work with the Guyana Geolog...
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June 18, 2009 • 10 mins
In Spanish we hear about programs with youth and environment from Jaques Carrriere.
Excuse the backgrond noise as we speak at the Chateau Frontenac in Quebec City atthe end of a busy day.
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June 18, 2009 • 3 mins
I met Juan Carlos Pirir ( Melvin) who had come from Guatemala to attend conferences and meetings in Canada with Jaques Carriere- The program Director for Latin America and Carribean. He has been with CUSO now CUSO-VSO since 1988. A wealth of knowledge and trilingual. He speaks to me about the work in the region in Spanish, French and English for you trilinual people out there. From work on the environment to youth CUSO-VSO, its vol...
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May 7, 2009 • 8 mins
Robert Akester- Served in Philipines 2005-2007
Elections can be a very challenging time. Robert tells how politics permeates life and friendships in the region.
Wrap up an dthanks to all who attended. We shall do this again.
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May 7, 2009 • 27 mins
• Nancy van Euw – a Peacecorps Returned volunteers talks about meeting her husband Ed Van Euw who is a cUSO RV 1986-1987
Volunteers from many organizations often are working together . They meet and start their journeys and in this case it was a journey of a lifetime. They are married with 3 children. Wonderful story!
• Bill Raikes was in Sierra Leone 1975-1977 . Teaching O levels Geography and like many volunteers really be...
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Umeeda Switlo- welcomes everyone and thanks Nancy Garrett- CUSO RV India 1968-1970 (wife of the Late Lewis Perinbam), Juanita Tupper (ex CUSO Board member) and Tanis Clarke (CUSO-VSO Circle member, donor, RV and ex staffer) for attending.
* Umeeda tells the story about meeting a volunteer in Ukunda on the South Coast of Kenya.
* Judy Storr- RV Maldives 1997-1999. Taught English and tells the story of a graduation weekend on an Isla...
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May 7, 2009 • 13 mins
CUSO and VSO returned volunteers got together in Vancouver to talk about their experiences. Listen to 2 returned volunteers and a Board memeber tell us about their service.
*Sigit Murdawa served in Indonesia from 2006-2008
He tells us about his work in Ecotourism and Community based tourism. He helped form a marketing network in the region. Thanks Sigit for you service.
* Robert Akester served in the Philippines from 2005-2007
He t...
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