Latest News
Thai Teacher Workshop Success
26th August 2010
Our Teacher Workshop Team have just returned from our programme in Northern Thailand this summer and the feedback they received from the schools and Thai teachers who attended has been fantastic.
We'd like to take this opportunity to send a huge thank you to the team for all the hard work they put into making these workshops such a success this year.
We would also like to thank Mr. Nueng Yanarangsee (the VESL co-ordinator in Chiang Rai) without whom these workshops would have been possible.
Thanks must also go to Mr. Karan Janthranant who supported of the programme and to his school driver, Mr. Weerachai Wong, who drove the team through Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai and Phayao.
Thanks must go to all the host families in Chiang Rai that took in our team members; Mr. Pisit Kitjarak, Ms. Pongsri Kantasuk. and Ms.Sumitra and her husband.
In Chiang Rai we had great help from 9 other schools and local the school principals. Staff from Nueng's school in Chiang Rai were also invaluable and they included the language staff and the ed. supervisor, Ms. Siriporn Boonyarasai.
The co-ordinator of Chiang Mai workshop in Nan was Ms. Nantira Sanjaiban; the co-ordinator of Phayao workshop was Ms. Sumitra Sukhimoke with her staff and ed. supervisor, Ms. Supin; thanks must go to them and their staff for all their assistance.
Finally, thanks must go to the directors of Chiang Rai Educational Service areas, Chiang Mai area 4, Chiang Rai area 1 and the school principal of Hangdongratrat school who let the trainers use their premises to host the workshops.
There are no doubt countless others who should have been included here and apologies to anyone not named in person - there really have been so many people involved in helping us run these workshops that we couldn't name everyone but your support and effort was non-the-less as valuable.
After gathering more structured feedback we hope to be able to put together another programme of teacher workshops for July/August 2011 and build on the success we've had this year.
Global Community Links Programme
15th August 2010
VESL and VeSSS have submitted an application to gain recognition from the Global Community Links Programme run by the British Council and the DFID. Our hope is to qualify for funding to establish a joint project with VeSSS in Kerala (Southern India) and the UK.
Meeting with Sri Lankan Minister for Peace
19th June 2010
VESL's trustees were extremely honoured to receive a formal request to meet with Prof. Rajiva Wijesinha, Sri Lanka's Minister for Peace, earlier this week during his visit to the UK. Prof. Wijesinha was keen to discuss the possibility of VESL returning to Sri Lanka's Northeast with an aim to establish a new programme supporting educational programmes running in IDP camps that are providing those who missed years of schooling during the conflict with skills in English, IT, Art and Drama.
The meeting was extremely encouraging and we hope to be able to send a representative out to make some initial visits to the IDP camps in a few months time with a mind to develop a programme for volunteers to head to Sri Lanka's Northeast in 2011. If all goes well we hope to establish a 6 week workshop programme for next summer in addition to a number of long term projects so please contact us if you would like to be considered for any of these projects should we be successful in developing this opportunity.
World of Difference International Grants
16th June 2010
We'd like to thank everyone who has been in touch to enquire about applying to work for VESL via Vodafone's World of Difference International grant programme.
Vodafone aims to select 8 winners from over 1000 applicants, each of whom will receive a grant to work overseas for their chosen charity for 12 months.
It's been so encouraging to receive such a level of interest to work with VESL. This is such an exciting opportunity and winning the award would have a significant impact on our programme overseas. If successful, our hope is to develop our programme in Sri Lanka and to help establish a new programme in Kerala working with coastal fishing communities. Our fingers are certainly crossed and we'll keep you posted...
New Link with Kerala based NGO
10th June 2010
VESL is very pleased to have formed a new link with the Venad Social Service Society (VeSSS) in India. VeSSS is based in Trivandrum in Kerela and works with traditional fishing communities in the state. VESL will be sending it first volunteers to work with VeSSS this summer and aim to establish a number of new joint projects (short and long term) throughout 2011 - If you'd like to volunteer in Kerala please email us for more details...
Mosquito Nets for Hill Tribe School
8th March 2010
During Tom Harrison's (VESL Programme Director) project visit to Chiang Rai in Northern Thailand he was able to deliver nearly £350 to one of the rural hill tribe schools to which we send volunteers. The money was raised by Keele University to buy much needed mosquito nets for all the students from the surrounding tribes who have to board at the school during the week. Thank you to all of the Keele students and staff members who helped to raise this money.
Teacher Workshop Programme given the green light
21st October 2009
We are extremely pleased to announce that a new Teacher Workshop Programme will take place in Northern Thailand during August 2010.
We have been working with the education authorities in Thailand to identify regions that would most benefit from a workshop programme in which UK and Thai teachers were given a forum to share teaching ideas and experiences. Two rural provinces in Northern Thailand have been selected and we are now in the process of recruiting volunteers to join our workshop teams which will be led by an experience VESL co-ordinator.
This unique cultural and educational exchange will benefit both Thai & UK teachers, giving our volunteers the chance to make use of their teaching skills during their summer holidays and help make a real and lasting difference to rural communities.
The workshop programme is open to anyone with teaching experience, including PGCE/PGDE NQT, GTP, BEd, TEFL and CELTA qualifications - for more information please go to our TEACHER WORKSHOP page.
Past Volunteers Help Raise Money for Projects
13th September 2009
We would like to thank Elizabeth Munns (VESL Volunteer 2007) for all her fundraising efforts over the last year to help raise money towards a project working in rural communities within Andhra Pradesh. The project is ran by Mr Bharavi (VESL in-country Manager) and his wife and aims to educate and support Jogini women and their children in the hope of rehabilitating Jogini families and affecting sustainable change.
Elizabeth was able to raise more than £250 which will be a significant help to the project and the families that Mr Bharavi and his wife work with.
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Last year's MMU volunteer co-ordinator, Katy Goldstraw, has also been busy fundraising. Katy has just taken part in the Great North Swim across Lake Windemere in the Lake District and has been able to successfully raise over £500 towards an orphanage and hospice project in Northern Andhra Pradesh.
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Anjali Shaw and Amy Crinnion (VESL volunteers 2008 and 2009) are also planning to run in the Great North Run later this month and we wish them the very best of luck (and we hope the wind is blowing in the right direction for you both)
Canning Trust Grant £4000 to Indian Project
12th August 2009
VESL recently presented an application to the Canning Trust to help secure a school house for an orphanage that we work with in Northern Andhra Pradesh in India. We are overjoyed to announce that the Canning Trust have kindly granted £4000 to the project and purchase of the school house can now go ahead.
We would like to thank the Canning Trust for their generous support of a fantastically worthwhile project; thanks must also go to Adrian Hayes (VESL Chair of Trustees) for presenting the application to the trust and to Cressida Hulme (VESL volunteer 2008) for nominating VESL and initially recommending us to the trust.
New Partnership University Overseas Challenge Projects
20th July 2009
We couldn't be happy to announce that both Edge Hill University and Anglia Ruskin University have now signed up run partnership projects for their students in Thailand in July/August 2010 through our University Overseas Challenge programme.
If you're a student at Edge Hill University and would like more info, please contact your University Volunteer Co-ordinator : Jennie Owen.
If you're a student at Anglia Ruskin University and would like more info, please contact your University's Community Development Manager : Tara White.
Application deadlines for both projects are yet to be announced but are being planned for sometime in the Autumn.
Encouraging signs for 2010
10th July 2009
The current economic climate has been tough to weather and the charity sector certainly hasn't been immune to the downturn, however, a side-effect of all this woe seems to be that volunteers are now planning further and further ahead. There are certainly encouraging signs for our projects in 2010. We now have a good number of volunteers already signed up to projects in 2010 and with any luck next year should be a great year for our programmes across Thailand, Sri Lanka and India.
The great thing about this new trend of applying early is that volunteers are giving themselves much more time to successfully fundraise and, with our support, we're already seeing many volunteers making great headway with imaginative and resourceful fundraising activities this summer.
With any luck 2010 will shape up to be one to remember - if you're interested in any of our projects, please download our info pack and send us your application form asap as no time is too early to start the ball rolling...
New Partnership with Northampton Uni's Early Childhood Studies Dept.
20th June 2009
We are very excited to announce that The University of Northampton's Early Childhood Studies Department have signed up run a partnership project in India in March/April 2010 through our University Overseas Challenge programme. If you're a student in the Early Childhood Studies Dept. and would like more info you can contact Eunice Lumsden.
A Step Towards Lasting Peace in Sri Lanka
20th May 2009
"... Sri Lankans of all communities, Sinhalese, Tamil and Muslim, will be relieved that the long and brutal conflict may at last be over. Sri Lanka has before it an historic opportunity to resolve the underlying causes of the conflict and ensure a lasting peace."
Foreign Secretary David Miliband commenting on the end of the armed conflict in the North of Sri Lanka during a statement to the House of Commons on Tuesday 19th May.
New British Safety Council Partnership
1st February 2009
VESL has signed up to a new partnership training programme with the British Safety Council to offer free training to our volunteers in health and safety awareness overseas. Volunteers who opt into the training programme will also be trained in how to pass on their knowledge and deliver basic health and safety training to children in the rural communities in which they will be working.
Our first set of volunteers have already completed the training course and the feedback has been fantastic. This partnership has the potential to be of real value to volunteers and communities alike and we are confident the programme will be a great success.
Keele University signup to our partnership programme
11th December 2008
VESL is extremely pleased to announce that Keele University has signed up to our new 'University Overseas Challenge' programme. VESL will be sending students from Keele (VE@Keele) and Manchester Metropolitan University (coMMUni) to projects in India and Thailand this summer. This is a great opportunity to continue to build on the success of last year's volunteers in our pilot programme with coMMUni and we are all looking forward to making a success of the programme again this coming summer.
VESL volunteers take TEFL course online
8th December 2008
VESL has been able to establish an affiliate scheme with an on-line TEFL institute that will give our volunteers a substantial discount on their on-line course. The course has been recommended by previous volunteers and is accredited by the IATQQ which will give those that take part an accredited TEFL qualification.
As an added bonus the TEFL institute will also enroll our volunteers in their 'Teaching Young Learners' course for free.
The course will be open to anyone that is interested in gaining a TEFL qualification so please contact us if you'd like any further info.
VESL short-listed for an ACE Award
10th November 2008
We are extremely pleased to announce that VESL has been short-listed for an Active Citizens of Europe [ACE] Award in the category of 'Best International Volunteering Project'. VESL is very proud to have been short-listed for this award and we feel this nomination is recognition for all the fantastic work our volunteers carry out overseas.
VESL Sponsored walk
7th October 2008
VESL would like to say a massive thank you to all of the volunteers that joined us over the weekend for this year's sponsored walk and volunteer reunion. It was an amazing effort made by everyone and it was great to see you all smiling through the howling wind and rain!
All the fundraising is not yet in but it already looks like we have raised close to £2000 which is a fantastic total so thank you for all your effort.
Thanks must also go to everyone that sponsored our team of walkers, your support is greatly appreciated.
VESL launches new partnership programme for universities
21st September 2008
We are all very excited to launch a new initiative this year called the 'University Overseas Challenge'. After running a successful pilot programme with Manchester Metropolitan University's volunteer centre (CoMMUni), we are looking for more universities to take part in this new partnership programme.
If you are a university volunteer officer or careers advisor and would like to offer your students and staff the opportunity to work on a well structured, well supported and worthwhile overseas volunteering project next summer we would love to hear from you.
To find out more information please email tom@vesl.org or call 0845 094 3727.
New Trustee Appointed
6th September 2008
We are very pleased to officially announce that Clara Hebblethwaite has accepted our invitation to join our board of trustees.
Clara has been involved with VESL since 2004 when she volunteered in our summer programme in Sri Lanka. Clara went on to complete a PGCE and become on a full-time teacher in London and became a return volunteer in 2007; we were fortunate enough to have Clara as one of our team of teachers who volunteered as part of our teacher training programme in Sri Lanka that ran workshops for more than 700 Sri Lankan English teachers.
We are all extremely pleased to welcome Clara to the board and we are sure she will prove to be a great asset to VESL and our volunteers.
Making the most of donations
20th August 2008
We would firstly like to send an enormous thank you to Janet and Stuart Wild who have been able to successfully raise more than £1100 for VESL through their justgiving.com fundraising page. Family and friends helped to raise this fantastic donation as part of Janet and Stuart's 25th wedding anniversary celebration and thanks must also go out to each and every person that contributed to the event.
Due to the size of the amount raised we have taken the opportunity to create 'The Wild Development Fund'.
Our aim is to have our long term volunteers identify opportunities within their projects or the local communities to create micro-finance projects or to identify a need for resources within their schools or orphanages. The hope is that we can make the most of this money and provide equipment or resources directly to as many communities as possible, whilst making sure this money is spent on exactly what is needed.
We plan to pilot the scheme with our next set of long term volunteers heading out in September and we will keep you posted as things develop.
VESL given official M.O.U. in Thailand
6th August 2008
We are extremely pleased to announce that VESL has is given a M.O.U. (Memorandum of Understanding) by the OBEC (Office of Basic Education Commission) in Thailand. This M.O.U. officially recognises the partnership between VESL and the OBEC and will allow us to expand our programme into even more rural schools in Thailand. Thanks must go to all our representatives in Thailand who have helped gain this M.O.U. and establish a successful and worthwhile programme; we could not have achieved this without you!
VESL awarded research grant by SES
9th July 2008
VESL has been awarded a grant from the Society of Educational Studies (SES) to look at the effects volunteering overseas can have on UK teachers' development and classroom practice. The project will take place over the course of the next academic year with the report due for publication in the summer of 2009.
VESL would be very keen to hear from any teachers who have volunteered overseas and would like to contribute to this research. Please contact tom@vesl.org for more details.
New Thailand in-country co-ordinator
29th June 2008
VESL is pleased to announce the appointment of its Chiang Rai Coordinator - Mr Kiattichai Yanarangsee (Nueng) and his co-coordinator Ajarn Pongsi. VESL is delighted to welcome both to the team and looks forward to working with them over the coming years.
VESL would also like to thank our representatives in Bangkok, Khun Noke and Alice and Alf Collet, whose help setting up the new programme has been invaluable.
Teaming up with MMU
25th June 2008
VESL is delighted to team up with Manchester Met University to launch a new joint project called 'Challenge India'. In August 2008 the first set of Manchester Met volunteers will be heading out to Andhra Pradesh; one group will be working in a hospice for children with HIV/AIDS and the other group will be teaching English in a school for orphans.
The project has been organised in partnership with the volunteering department at Manchester Met - CoMMUni. To find out more about CoMMUni visit - www.communi.org.uk.
Training
10th June 2008
We would just like to say thanks to Clara Hebblethwaite and Jo Taylor for helping to run another successful training event. The feedback from the volunteers was tremendous and your help was greatly appreciated.
Justgiving success
10th May 2008
The new fundraising pages with justgiving.com have proved to be a fantastic success. A few volunteers have raised well over their target; Millicent Scott in particular deserves an extra special thanks for successfully raising over £1500 and counting! We'd also like to send a huge thank you to Janet & Stuart Wild who've very kindly set up a fundraising page for their friends and family to donate to VESL for their 25th wedding anniversary next month.
New Projects in Thailand
15th February 2008
Tom Harrison has just returned from setting up VESL's new projects in Thailand.
VESL aims to get away from the tourists and is setting up projects in rural areas, where they are most needed and volunteers will get an opportunity to really have that 'Thai experience'.
Working alongside the Thai Education Department, VESL has chosen Chiang Rai Province to send its first volunteers to. These projects include schools situated along the Mekong River, in the famous Golden Triangle; one school actually overlooks Burma and Laos! The area is famous for its fantastic scenery, hill tribes and history. Volunteers will be based at local schools, running teaching programmes and clubs for the local children (many are from the hill tribes).
If you would like to apply to volunteer in Thailand please download our application form - click here. Remember the deadline for the summer '08 programme is 7th March '08, however, we will also be running longer term (3 month +) projects in Thailand throughout the year for those of you with more time available.
VESL Joins Facebook
1st February 2008
VESL has now joined the social networking revolution and created its own Facebook page. Members are now able to become 'fans' of VESL and help us spread news of all our hard work to your own extended friendship networks. We get so many people saying 'a friend of mine told me about VESL' that it just seemed to make perfect sense.
We've uploaded a selection of last year's photographs so please help us join the dots by tagging yourself in any photos you appear in. We should be adding gallerys of previous years very soon but if you have any photos you'd like to see, either on this site or our facebook page, please email ian@vesl.org.
VESL's facebook page can be found by clicking here.