International Citizen Service
Stories, blogs and videos

We work with hundreds of ICS volunteers and team leaders.
Here are some of their stories...

Brazil

• Working with the rural community of Sitio Brejo, our team spotted an opportunity to set up a recycling facility and help them make the most of their resources.  Read Jolana's account
  
  
• Staff at GTP+ (an organisation promoting the rights of people with HIV) talk about why working with volunteers is important to them:
  

• Some of the deepest changes happen on a personal level.
  These accounts by a volunteer and a deaf person show what it was like working together at Tampopo - a charity run by deaf people for deaf people.
  

Bolivia

• This short video shares the experience of our volunteers who helped build a better Bolivia for children and people with disabilities
  
  
  

Burkina Faso

© Jordan Woodgate

• Our team spent autumn 2011 working with project partners Kabeela to raise awareness of HIV/AIDS and support women's soap and spice businesses. Jordan's blog Jordanonymous is packed with amazing photographs, and is a great account of the team's project as well as life in Burkina.
  

• Natasha worked with the Union of Women's Groups supporting women's business enterprises and women's rights. Her blog Throw Something Back, is her journey from the culture shock of being in Africa, to understanding how her project would help the lives of many women. Read an extract

• Volunteers on placement in January 2012 worked with disabled artisans, helping them develop their crafts and businesses.
  Read how they found a UK buyer for their leather iPad and Kindle cases
  
  
• Our volunteers introduce themselves at the start of their summer 2011 projects:

Mali

• Volunteers heading out to Africa in September got their first taste of Malian culture from the country's most famous ambassadors - mega stars of world music, Amadou & Mariam.
  Find out about their experience
  

© Jon Parker Lee

• In December 2011 our volunteers held a community-wide event to support children with disabilities, and raise awareness about their rights. Daniel and Lucinda tell us about plans for the event, and what they hope to achieve

Palestine

• Volunteer Lucy worked with the Women's Centre for Legal Aid and Counselling (WCLAC) in early 2012. She interviewed their Director about protecting and promoting women's rights in Palestine

• In summer 2011, our volunteers ran activities and training for children and young people at the Sharek Youth Forum.
  Here is the promotional video they made for Sharek.
  
  
• We get asked a lot about accommodation, so here is a guided tour of a volunteer apartment in Ramallah: