Kevin Ross from Edinburgh otherwise known as “EdinburghKev” is currently working in Bangladesh as a volunteer with VSO. Notwithstanding that he is busy working hard he has taken the time to answer a few questions about volunteering for us.
1. When did you start volunteering with VSO on this placement?
I started this current placement in Khulna on Monday 20th September. I was previously placed in another organization in Sirajganj for 7 months supporting the development of monitoring and evaluation processes, as well as reporting, funding and case study development.
My new placement, in an organization called Rupantar, will involve me working with a network of NGO’s and CBO’s supporting them to engage communities and groups to be involved in local political processes, alleviating exclusion and tackling gender, health, poverty and rights issues.
2. When will you return to Scotland?
Coming home for Christmas and New Year, my current placement will conclude end of March 2011.
3. Did you work back home before you started with VSO? If so, what did you do?
Prior to my VSO involvement I was the project manager of a community based youth work organization that delivered building, street and school based youth work and informal education. Working in an ex-mining community south of Edinburgh, which was recognized by EU as an area of social deprivation.
4.   Will you be returning to this job when you return? If no – what do you plan to do?
On my return, if I return, I will look for another job, maybe trying something new, a different challenge. I would like to do poverty action or development work.
5.    What made you decide to volunteer with VSO?
After my studies, ten years ago, I was invited to do youth work abroad, along with teaching English, my previous project managers job came up, so I took it. Now having done as much as I felt I could in that organization, I wanted to volunteer abroad and make a difference, whilst using the skills I had gained, and VSO fitted that opportunity.
6.    What is your role on your VSO placement? What is the project aiming to do?
My current role is to document, along with NGO/CBO and beneficiaries impact, achievements and outcomes of this piece of project work, which was called SCORE. There have been a lot of volunteers involved in the piece of work in the past, so my role is to get it all down on paper and support the beneficiaries and organizations to continue to keep the processes going for the future.
7. Do you feel the work you’re doing is/will make a difference?
Having been on a previous placement, Yes, I do feel that what I developed made a difference. Although I am aware that both hard and soft skills have been developed in organizations and with the staff. For example, supporting people to develop reports, case studies etc. enables the good practice of the organization to be made public, but the confidence, self esteem and skills of the individual staff members develops hugely also.
8. How do you feel your work will make a difference?
Although my work was more at a strategic level, the organization will be better placed to develop awareness among beneficiary, network and funding organizations of what they are doing. It is also hoped that the organization and its staff will be able to move the organisation, its work and achievements into a new level through raising awareness, attracting future funding and supporting communities to be involved in the process of change.
9. What have been the highlights of your trip so far (both personally and professionally)? At a personal level meeting people both in the organization and in communities that, who have very little, but would go out their way and cook their last chicken for you and make you so welcome that I am humbled by it! They want to get to know you, ask you what you think of their country, meet their friends and family and treat you as if you are actually part of the family. This also goes professionally also, in an organization that they want to get to know you, your skills, what you have to offer and them being open to new ideas, ways of working and supporting others. This all adds up to me feeling valued, respected and give me an understanding that what I am doing is both needed and valued by those that work with and alongside me.
10. Do you have any interesting stories you can tell us about, relating to your volunteering experience?
There are many, many stories- the best way to show the stories is through my photography!
He has the most beautiful photos on Flickr which you can see here.
He has also put up a short video on YouTube of the sights he has seen whilst in Bangladesh and you can see that here.
You can get more information about volunteering with VSO from their website.
