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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

Documentary: The Voluntourist

“In a globalised world where information is so easily accessible young people are becoming more and more aware of the disparities that exist in the world and “voluntourism” is seen as a good way for them to help those who are less fortunate. But without any skills and over shorts period of time how much do you […]

A Ghanaian Summer – 2015

Despite it being almost two years it barely felt like I’d been away when I went through customs at Kotoka Airport in Accra. The same humidity, big queues for immigration and Dan being late to meet me. As always though my experiences in Ghana were huge fun and a lot of work was completed. I’ve […]

Volunteerism in Ghana: Alive and well

Volunteering in Ghana has been a big industry for a long time now. But when people think of volunteers in Ghana they often think of people flying from all over the world to work on a number of projects (some good and some not so good). However, over the last couple of years we’ve seen […]

Research insights in to overseas volunteering

A new 3-minute video from globalsl.org summarising research insights on good and bad community impacts of international volunteering has been released. I’ts good to see a body of research is being developed to help inform people how to volunteer ethically and assist the people they want to help. International Volunteering from Kindea Labs on Vimeo.

You know you’ve been living in Tamale, Ghana for almost two years when…

Originally posted on Steph in Ghana: Tales from a Development Volunteer:
You no longer find it strange to see a wide screened TV / fridge / live goat / dead goat / bicycle / a whole family / a bare saw/spade/hammer or tightly strapped bible being carried on a motorbike You are perfectly comfortable talking…

Guest post: Fire and Floods in Accra – What have we learnt?

Chris Minch is studying his MSc in Emerging Economies and international Development at KCL, where his interests include the role of innovation in sustainable development, and the sources of corruption. He has been involved with KickStart Ghana for 2 years and here he looks at the recent tragedy that has unfolded in Ghana. This post […]

African people don’t want your stinky T-shirts

African people don’t want your stinky T-shirts and other mythbusters by Eliza Anyangwe.

Want to help the children of Nepal? Don’t fuel the orphanage industry

We’ve all seen the terrible images and stories coming out of Nepal over the past two weeks. You would have to have a heart of stone not to be moved and want to offer your help in any possible way. The British public has already donated millions of pounds and I’m sure this total will continue to […]