Say it quietly, but things are getting better

It’s not easy living in a world with Donald Trump, Nigel Farage and the Daily Mail. Stick to those three and it would be easy to believe that life is getting worse every passing day and there is little hope for any of us. Look at the facts, however, and we’re told a different story. […]

The Orphan Myth: Keeping Families Together

A new documentary from PBS has, once again, highlighted the problem with the institutionalisation of children across the world. The film explores why children, often with living parents, are put in to care centres. It also explains the psychological damage this often does to the children, why orphanages are expensive ways to raise children and how governments […]

Safari in Senegal

As fun as the crocodile and monkey viewings had been it didn’t really feel like we had seen the best of the wildlife that West Africa can offer. After some online research and a few emails we booked a safari in Senegal at the Fathala Reserve with Black and White Tours. £80 would get us a […]

A day out in The Gambia: Crocs, monkeys, fish and markets

I’ll admit that I was quite settled in the routine shown in the photo below after just one day at Nemasu Lodge but when invited by some of the other guests to join them on a day trip to see some of the highlights The Gambia has to offer, ranging from a crocodile pond to a […]

The Gambia: A game of two halves

“Bingo time! BIIINNNGOOOOOO!” shouted the lead entertainer as ‘Mysterious Girl’ blared out of the speakers and an order of fried chicken and chips was delivered pool side to another couple. Djembe Beach Resort was the second hotel of our week stay in The Gambia and it would be hard to find any fault with it at […]

Racism in the heat of the moment

I’m not a huge fan of rugby. I’ve really tried my best to like it over the years but it’s not for me. Brute force overrides skill and way too much of the game involve kicking the ball long. I might try and tune in for the occasional game where Wales or New Zealand play […]

Overseas volunteering: what’s the debate about?

This post was originally written by Livi Shaw for the London School of Economics, who have full copyright. See the original post. One of the biggest questions rippling through the voluntary sector currently, is whether or not overseas volunteering is a good thing; is it sustainable, is it needed; is it ethical? Maybe these are questions you’re familiar […]

5 steps to get the most out of international development volunteering

Getting experience in a particular field through volunteering can really make your CV and application stand out when applying for roles, and this is especially true in the international development sector. But how can you make sure that you pick the right opportunity for you and then make the most of it when you’ve started […]

Do you speak African?

Check out this video by Al Jazeera English, presented by Mehdi Hasan, about some of the myths surrounding the continent of Africa.

The Rusty and Golden Radiator Awards are in

Each year the Norwegian based organisation Students’ and Academics’ International Assistance Fund (SAIH) highlight the very best and worst of charity aid videos to try and change the way the aid industry approaches development and how poverty is represented. They look for those that are misrepresenting the people they claim to help, stereotype and possibly hinder […]

Protesting with Amnesty UK for Albert Woodfox

Amnesty UK commissioned me to take photos at their latest march, protesting for Albert Woodfox, as part of their annual student conference. “Albert has spent the last 43 years in solitary confinement. Despite having his conviction overturned three times and an appeals court ruling his immediate and unconditional release, Albert remains in his 6×4 foot […]

Shine Night Walk 2015

I was invited back to volunteer as a photographer at Shine Night Walk 2015 and I was really happy to help with such a good cause. The atmosphere was incredible once again with thousands of walkers, all in good spirit, loads of volunteers on the route and London lit up in Cancer Research colours. I also got […]