The Volunteer Programme is an excellent way to build your skills in leadership, teamwork and cultural understanding. Since I completed the Programme in 2007, I have found that potential employers are really interested in my work with Suas and what I learned through working with inspiring teachers and children in India. Also I found that the network I had inherited when I came back was absolutely brilliant. Through Suas, I now know hundreds of like-minded people working in lots of different sectors in Ireland.
Louise O Connor, Suas Volunteer
The Volunteer Programme has made a huge impact on me and I will definitely be staying involved with Suas through the Alumni network and hopefully maintaining some contact with my school in Prayas. The experience really brought home challenges that exist within Ireland and I will hopefully be able to keep up the volunteer work with the Bridge to College programme. Suas has taught me no matter how big or small the scale, difficulties and challenges within education can be supported. I consider myself extremely lucky to have had the opportunity to work with Suas, Prayas and my wonderful children, and look forward to keeping up the work in Ireland.
Aisling Murtagh, Prayas Team, Delhi
You build up such a great relationship with the children, the teachers, the community, and a real familiarity with your daily routine. The Suas programme was an experience I'd recommend to all. I also spent ten weeks living with a team of 12 people I learnt so much from.
Niall Moran, Sabuj Sangha Team, Kolkata
It's only from working and living in a developing country that one can truly experience the challenges that are faced by millions of people day to day..
It's fair to say none of us will ever forget the summer we spent in Delhi and I'm sure we will be wise enough not to entirely look back with rose tinted glasses, but with an appreciation of what we actually contributed and how it encouraged us to continue contributing towards alleviating educational disadvantage at home and abroad.
Donal Holahan, Prayas Team, Delhi
It was a really emotional goodbye. I personally found the separation from my children very difficult and returned twice to my school before coming home. However our team, a team of adventurers could probably write a new lonely planet guide to India now, having travelled far and wide to experience India outside the Delhi bubble!
Aisling Murtagh, Prayas Team, Delhi
Leaving Kolkata, our centres and of course the 12 great people I was living with for 10 weeks was really sad as at that stage we had been so used to our routines and working in our centres with such fantastic children and teachers. But we also had a lot to look forward to, we went travelling around India and Nepal for just over four weeks which was amazing and of course the return weekend which was another great opportunity for us all to meet up once again and to discuss our summers work.
Helen Mc Guire, Vikramshila Team, Kolkata
On August 23rd we went our separate ways with half of the braver Neta crew taking on the wrath of the Himalayas for a 5 day trek, while others went for easier options such as elephant trekking in Nepal or chilling out on the Keralan backwaters.
Suzanne Byrne, Prayas Jahangirpuri Team, Delhi
The return weekend was exactly what we all needed to bring the experience home.We had the opportunity to talk through the highs and lows of the summer so that we can pass on our golden knowledge to next year's team. It also gave us the chance to hear all about the other team’s experiences, which were all so unique from each other.
Although the Volunteer Programme journey is officially at a close, our experience has left a lasting impression on us. From the cows on the motorways to the children in Prayas and the general pandemonium of JahangiPuri we will never forget our summer in Delhi.
Suzanne Byrne, Prayas Jahangirpuri Team, Delhi
With the teaching placement over, DAS dispersed to go home, go travelling or, in the case of one poor unfortunate, back to work.
However, with that part of the programme complete, there were still reports to write, reflecting to be done and Irish weather to adjust to. To assist in the process, we duly assembled for the return weekend in October, a chance for us all to process the whole experience. It was a good opportunity to share memories of the placement and compare notes on the process of adjustment back to life in Ireland.
Conor James Mc Kinney, DAS Team, Kolkata
Of all the things that have stuck with us after a summer working so closely the DAS staff, teachers and students, among the most significant is a huge amount of determination that our team have to ensure that DAS receive well-prepared volunteers next year.
Conor James McKinney, DAS Team, Kolkata
It may be said that many of us only really began to realise the scale of challenges posed by educational disadvantage within an Irish context while overseas in Delhi. From this point of view the level to which members of our team are staying involved with Suas within an Irish context is very encouraging.
Donal Holahan, Prayas Team, Delhi
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