ICS volunteer stories

In 2011-12, Skillshare International placed 250 volunteers on projects in Africa and India through the International Citizen Service (ICS) scheme. Click here to find out about current Skillshare ICS placements and projects.

Here are just a few of our pilot volunteers' stories and blogs:

Supporting Botswana's Basarwa Community

Be inspired by Thuli's experience in Botswana, where she helped build a pre-school playground, fundraised and built awareness of sexual health among teenagers. Meet Thuli...

Campaigning for gender justice in Swaziland

Hear Mairi talk about how she got involved in a CourtWatch programme in Swaziland and supported Swaziland Action Group Against Abuse in their campaign for gender justice. Meet Mairi...

Improving health through education: James' story

In a short video about his placement in India, James explains how he supported community health initiatives by teaching NHS hand washing techniques to children. Meet James...

Sustainable livelihoods: Bintu's story

Bintu spent three months in rural Tanzania helping Ujamaa Community Resource Trust to run training for women in key business skills such as marketing and book-keeping. Find out more about her experience...

Coaching for Hope in Cape Town: Nathaniel's story

During his three month placement in South Africa, Nathaniel Gabriel-Ellis volunteered with the Coaching for Hope programme working with vunerable young people. Read more about Nathaniel's placement and watch his video to find out how he used his passion for football to raise awareness of serious health issues.

Sexual health awareness through football

During their placements with the Maseru District Football Association in Lesotho, Nahuel Tunon and Rupesh Popat worked with young people to raise awareness of sexual health issues. Meet Nahuel and Rupesh...

Sarah Jones

Raising awareness of HIV and AIDS in Lesotho

Sarah Jones and Leon Le'Roc spent three months in Southern Africa supporting the Lesotho Network of People Living with HIV and AIDS. Watch their video to find out more about their experiences and their greatest achievements.

Joanne's story

Her three-month placement in Botswana gave psychology graduate Joanne Gowing the opportunity to support psycho-social and therapy services for orphans. Find out more about Joanne's placement...

HIV and AIDS: Meisha's story

During her summer break from studying Psychology at the University of Leicester, Meisha Holliday spent three months volunteering in Lesotho. Flick through her scrapbook to find out more about a typical day during her placement at the Lesotho Network of People Living With HIV and AIDS (LENEPWHA).

Sustainable livelihoods: Danielle's story

Danielle King, a student from Leicester, spent her summer holidays working with young people in Tanzania to help them learn English and raise awareness of malaria through performing arts. Read her story...

Laura's story

Her three-month placement at WoMen Against Rape in Botswana inspired Laura to pursue a career in Social Work. Find out more about how she got involved in community activities and the people she will never forget.

Sustainable livelihoods: Sophie's story

In June 2011, Sophie Greenwood left her home in Lancashire and set off for three months in Tanzania that would change her views of Africa forever. Read more about Sophie's placement at Tanzania House of Talent and how she helped young performers there to build skills for sustainable livelihoods.

Coaching for Hope in South Africa

Peter Tasker was placed on our Coaching for Hope programme in Cape Town, which works with young people to build their skills and confidence through football. Meet Peter...

Volunteer blogs

Find out more about our volunteers' experiences in their own words...

After seeing out 2011 with a splash, Ruth Kidd began 2012 as a team leader in India. Read Ruth's blog.
Find out what Sophie got up to in Swaziland - from sunburn and learning SiSwati to researching healthcare and HIV awareness for men who have sex with men. Read Sophie's blog.
On her three-month placement in Swaziland, Hannah worked with survivors of abuse on a court watch placement. Read Hannah's blog.
Astounded by the energy, enthusiasm and heart of children living with HIV - find out about Amar Mistry's first month at the Swaziland-Baylor Teen Club. Read Amar's blog.
Cristina Amrein shares beautiful photos and reflections of life in Orissa. Read Cristina's blog.
Jenny Shaw talks about the importance of life skills and antiretroviral (ARV) drugs during her placement at Swaziland-Baylor Teen Club. Read Jenny's blog.
Learning through magazines. Read Flo and Ammar's account of how Swaziland Teen Club use fun activities to raise awareness of HIV and ARVs.
Jenny de Courcy started her placement at South Orissa Voluntary Action in January 2012. Read about her final preparations for departure on her blog.
Averil's journey to Tamil Nadu.
Asambeni! Read Mark's blog about his placement with Swaziland Action Group Against Abuse.

Share your story

If you're a returned ICS volunteer and would like to share your story, please contact Fran at fran.penfold@skillshare.org or get in touch via Facebook or Twitter.

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