Entries by Serve

Welcome Laura Canning

"Volunteering pushes you outside of your comfort zone.."

Laura Canning joins Team SERVE in the role of Global Citizenship Education and Volunteer Programme Coordinator. Laura writes about spirit of volunteering.

Laura Canning SERVE











My first experience as a volunteer was on a SERVE immersion programme in Zambia in 2017. My experience on the immersion programme was eye opening and thought provoking and upon returning home and finishing school it prompted me to continue volunteering locally.  

One of the main things I took from the immersion project was the fact that many young people in Ireland can take education for granted and the opportunities that follow as a result.  All children and young people deserve equal opportunities and access to good quality education is key in achieving this.

Over the past year I volunteered as an English Language teacher for adult migrants in Ireland and the UK, and recently taught children and young people in Thailand, Cambodia and Indonesia. Although I had no previous experience in a classroom before, I thoroughly enjoyed it.  

One of the many great things about volunteering is that it pushes you outside of your comfort zone but in an environment where you can grow and learn. Volunteering also allows you to become a part of a friendly community of people from all different backgrounds and cultures who are willing to try new things together.

The best thing about being a volunteer is the people you meet and befriend along the way, many of my best friends are people I met while volunteering.      

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SERVE Volunteering Programme 2023 Hybrid Overseas Zambia India Ireland Mozambique


Zambia 2023 Volunteer Programme

Volunteer in Zambia with SERVE in 2023 An overview of your SERVE volunteer placement in Zambia SERVE Volunteers at Assumption Paraish, Mazabuka in Zambia In

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Join us today in helping to provide equal opportunities for communities living in poverty across the globe.

New art in SERVE Ethical Shop

Original art work by Séamus Devitt for sale in SERVE Ethical shop

Add colour to your home or workspace with art by Séamus Devitt. All proceeds go to support SERVE’s work in our partner countries.











Séamus Devitt, a Redemptorist priest currently working in the parish of Our Lady of the Assumption, Ballyfermot, Dublin was a SERVE Brazil leader in 2008.

Dublin-born with Clare roots, Séamus started his artist passion with photography in the Connemara but took up painting for the first time at age 44. He was a student for 36 years in the ‘Irish School of Landscape Painting’ under Kenneth Webb at Ballinaboy, near Clifden. He has been visiting Clifden for over 60 years now and says, “I leave half my soul here.”

He dedicated the proceeds of his exhibition ‘Connemara Music’ to SERVE which was displayed in the West Connemara Sports and Leisure Centre in Clifden on September 14th – 24th We’re extremely grateful that Séamus raised €2,500 for SERVE at the Clifden Arts Festival in September 2022. 

Séamus began in the academic style, but after a time, was more captivated by vibrant colours and, more recently, by form and strong shapes. His preference now is towards minimalism, even cubism. He finds energy from the works of Matisse. Another artist whose style attracts him is the French painter Louis Toffoli (1907-1999), with his overlapping and blending of multiple shapes. 

We can’t thank Séamus  enough for dedicating the proceeds of his beautiful exhibition to SERVE’s vital work. These proceeds will ensure continued support for partners through impactful programmes that act as a catalyst in transforming the lives of marginalised communities in Southern Africa, India and Southeast Asia. 

If you are interested in bringing art to your home or office then Séamus Devitt’s artwork is a great choice. You can order a print on canvas of 3 of his most prized paintings in our Shop or please get in touch with us.

 

every gift matters

SERVE Ethical Shop

Browse the shop for alternative gift ideas that keep on giving.

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SERVE Think Global Act Local


Selene’s social justice inspiration

‘Notorious RBG’ Selene Rapetti participated in our Think Global, Act Local 2022 programme. Selene writes about a social justice icon who inspires her. Selene Rapetti

Selene’s social justice inspiration

'Notorious RBG'

Selene Rapetti participated in our Think Global, Act Local 2022 programme. Selene writes about a social justice icon who inspires her.











Ruth Bader Ginsburg was a lawyer and an associate justice of the US Supreme Court who fought throughout all her life for gender equality and a more equal society for everybody.

From the beginning of her career, if not before it began, she suffered many types of discrimination. Despite this, she continued to fight for equality and managed to achieve significant changes in the US system.

When she began studying law at Harvard Law School, she found herself in a purely male environment that considered it normal to ask a woman admitted why she was occupying a man’s seat (she was one of nine women in a class of five hundred people). Despite the discrimination of her classmates and professors and her private life (she had a small child to take care of at the time, and her husband was ill with cancer), she managed to finish her studies at the top of her class.

In spite of her excellent school results, Ruth Bader Ginsburg encountered numerous difficulties in finding a job in a law firm once she had finished her studies. Indeed, as she said in a speech, “I was Jewish, a woman, and a mother. The first raised one eyebrow; the second, two; the third made me indubitably inadmissible”(1). Because of this numerous discrimination, Ruth Bader Ginsburg had to temporarily give up working in a law firm and accepted a teaching position at a law school.

Despite all the obstacles she faced as a woman, Ruth Bader Ginsburg did not stop, and she first brought important cases before the Supreme Court and then became an associate justice of the US Supreme Court herself.

The first case she ever discussed in front of the Supreme Court that was related to gender discrimination was Moritz v Commissioner of Internal Revenue, in which “The taxpayer, Charles E. Moritz, appeals from a decision of the Tax Court holding that he was not entitled to a deduction for expenses in 1968 for the care of his dependent invalid mother. The Government argues that the deduction was unavailable because he was a single man who has never married, the deduction being limited to a woman, a widower or divorce, or a husband whose wife is incapacitated or institutionalized”(2).


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‘Think Global, Act Local’ about next steps

Think Global, Act Local 2022 is a wrap

We look forward to seeing where our TGAL 2022 participants take their Global Citizenship journey next.











Our 2022 Think Global, Act Local (TGAL) programme gave us the chance to virtually meet and learn from like-minded SERVE volunteers. We wrapped up TGAL a couple of week ago with a final ‘Next Steps’ reflection session.

Our group met to reflect on the lessons learned over the past seven months from the Global Citizenship Education (GCE) workshops they were involved in, the guest speakers from the Global South, and their experiences facilitating online workshops with our partners in Mazabuka in Zambia.

One of the big themes of the day was to think ahead to the next steps in our participants’ Global Citizenship journey. It was echoed by our TGAL mentors, Orlagh Henry and Fiachra Brennan, that it does not matter how big or small the next step may be, as long as we continue to be open to learning and progressing, contributing to global lessons and acting in solidarity.

We wrapped up the day with our big announcement that we are restarting our Volunteer Programme in July 2023 after 3 years. TGAL has inspired the new Volunteer Programme. These last two years of running TGAL have helped us grow as GCE facilitators. We are delighted and grateful that those who mentored and facilitated the TGAL programmes will be returning in various capacities for our 2023 Volunteer Programme.

Without our overseas volunteer programme, Think Global, Act Local 2021 and 2022 provided us with the opportunity to virtually meet and work with enthusiastic volunteers (and occasionally in person). We look forward to seeing where our TGAL 2022 participants take their Global Citizenship journey next.

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Antonio TGAL SERVE Programramme online volunteering


Antonio’s TGAL reflection

“Through the monitor I could see their wide smiles..” Participants from our Think Global, Act Local programme facilitated online workshops over four weekends on Cover

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Sorcha’s Postcard from Mozambique

Post card from Mozambique

Sorcha Cremin sends us her final postcard from Young Africa Mozambique after completing her role as SERVE’s Regional Monitoring & Evaluation Officer.











In July 2022, following a long wait due to COVID-related travel restrictions, I finally got to visit Young Africa’s two centres in Mozambique; YA Beira and YA Agri Tech Dondo. Over the course of a week (a flying visit!), I was able to meet with both centres staff and students and see first-hand the wonderful work being carried out at the centres which are both supported through funding from SERVE.

It was made abundantly clear to me how negatively impacted both the centers and the people of Mozambique have been in recent years. There has been significant damage as a result of two cyclones, COVID, and significant inflation.

SERVE continues to play an important role in helping young people by through Young Africa centers where young people can continue to improve themselves and their communities.

One memory that will stick with me is meeting and speaking with a young girl named Marilia. She received a scholarship from SERVE to complete a course in Beauty and Hairdressing. She was quickly recognized as excelling in the course and was assisted in obtaining a work placement. In the year since, she has been able to obtain a microcredit loan from SERVE’s Skills for Youth Resilience Programme (SYRP) funding in order to build her own salon at her home. Since then, her business has thrived, and Marilia is now filled with optimism about the future.

Everyone I met gave me so much time and energy to see as much as I could and explain to me how things work at each of the centres. After a year of working with many of the staff remotely, it was a truly amazing experience to get to meet them all, as well as current and former students, in person and see the true realities on the ground. Many thanks to all for memories that will stay with me for a long time.


About SERVE’s Skills for Youth Resilience Programme (SYRP):

SYRP provides scholarships to young people in need to access further education to learn life and entrepreneurial skills which enable them to move forward in their lives, as well as by providing funding and support to develop the centres further through funding for expansion, equipment for courses, as well as through human resources and capacity building support. There are many different courses on offer, such as Electrical  Construction, Baking, Hairdressing etc. At YA Agri Tech there is also a huge farm which teaches dairy/farming skills, horticultural skills, solar energy skills and much more. Please donate to SERVE and support SYRP.

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Join us today in helping to provide equal opportunities for communities living in poverty across the globe.

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Culture Night at Scala: An inspiring success

What an amazing time at Scala on Culture Night!

K Eastmann founder of Cork Repair Cafe describes the Culture Night 2022 event at Scala.

Culture night Cork 2022 SERVE sustainable culture amazaning night cork zero waste cork repair cafe cork clothes swap silvio severino ashleigh ellis
All the collaborators - Photo by José Bateira











What an amazing time at Scala on Culture Night!

The collaborated efforts of SERVE, Cork Zero Waste, Cork Clothes Swap, Cork Repair Café, artist Silvio Severino and crafts-person Ashleigh Ellis, all came together beautifully to show how you can build a sustainable culture by bringing back some of the old traditions and practices of fixing, repurposing, and exchanging the things we have.

Sharing with others our skills and knowledge, as well as creating works of art out of everyday things. There was a frenzy of activity on the night as people came in with things to repair, clothes to swap, even plants and books to exchange.

There was also a photo exhibition to highlight the impact of climate change and another one showcasing life in different parts of the world to help us understand we’re interconnected and interdependent.

An eagerness to learn and share skills, experiences and ideas filled the room with the inspiring energy of community and culture.

The small bit of rain didn’t deter people from walking and absorbing the wonders of The Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Trail built by SERVE volunteers. And delicious ethnic food was enjoyed while everyone indulged in the activities.

In the end, everyone came away with a little more insight on how to incorporate the skills and ideas that they learned into their daily lives. And by doing so, they become an essential part in building a sustainable culture.

All the photographs below are by José Bateira.

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Join us today in helping to provide equal opportunities for communities living in poverty across the globe.

Meet Urs Queng – SERVE Long Term Volunteer in Cork

Soccer, solidarity and growth

Urs Queng is SERVE’s new long term volunteer in Cork. Urs explains soccer and community go hand in hand. He also shares his hopes for the coming year with SERVE.

Urs Queng Long Term Volunteer SERVE
Urs Queng - Photo by José Bateira











I have been playing soccer in Germany for the last five years for FC Rot-Weiss Lessenich 1951. Soccer is a very versatile sport, because it also helps develop values such as solidarity and team spirit in ourselves.

Every player’s talent may help a team to win, however, without team spirit and solidarity a team can not succeed through wins and losses.

I was at the recently held SERVE 5-aside Soccer Tournament as a volunteer referee – and I can attest to the fact that soccer helps build communities too. The success of the seven teams who played for SERVE is a huge win for the partners SERVE works with in Zimbabwe and Mozambique.

I will be in Ireland for a year with SERVE. During this time, I look forward to meet people and have new experiences. I hope to learn a lot about fundraising and to have interesting conversations by helping on projects. I also hope to learn a lot about the different cultures of the countries SERVE sends volunteers to and about working with different people and on different issues.

I look forward to develop myself through my work with SERVE and that I will be able to look back on the year with gratitude.

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Join us today in helping to provide equal opportunities for communities living in poverty across the globe.

Thoughts from the 1st SERVE Soccer Tournament

Thoughts from SERVE Soccer Tournament

SERVE volunteer Antonio di Mare describes our 1st 5-a-side Soccer Tournament fundraiser

SoccerTournament2022_SERVE_Education _Graduates_economic growth
Most of the players along with Team SERVE and volunteers. Photo by José Bateira











The 5-a-side Soccer tournament was held on Sept 11th at Nemo Rangers GAA complex in Douglas, Cork. It is one of my favourite events on my journey with SERVE community.

Watching all the team players while they were playing soccer for a common goal is an unforgettable experience. They were equal parts competitive and playful. All the bruises that players got from multiple 15 min matches were forgotten by the players. I suspect they were driven by their Solidarity in Action.

Over €700 was raised on the day – this will directly assist our partners Young Africa through the SERVE Skills for Youth Resilience Programme. The funds will support over 17 graduates across Mozambique and Zimbabwe with Solar Technology business kits.

The influence and positivity has been transmitted (of course not COVID related!!) also between all the SERVE team and volunteers who have shown a great sense of commitment, to organise this fundraiser.

A warm vote of thanks to Arron the balloon man and to José Bateira who captured the special moments of the day.

At the end, I witnessed the beautiful expression of gratitude from Gerry O’Connor who is SERVE’s chairperson.

We celebrated the tournament winners and all the players, there were prizes and a humble lunch of sandwiches and juice – in classic SERVE style where each person makes their own sandwich.

I must highlight there was a sense of mutual respect, and belonging and that I feel valued for my time. Also, I can not imagine how wrecked the the players were since I myself was extremely tired after volunteering the full day.

I wish we could gather like this everyday to raise awareness about the disparities in the world. It feels great to do something together and this I believe has been the best reward.

All in all a successful day – a small win towards offering disadvantaged people a platform to realise their full potential through decent employment.

All the photographs below are by Jose Bateira.

become a donor

Donate to SERVE

Join us today in helping to provide equal opportunities for communities living in poverty across the globe.

Mozambique 2023 Volunteer Programme

Volunteer in Mozambique with SERVE in 2023

An overview of your SERVE volunteer placement in India

SERVE Volunteering Programme 2023 Hybrid Overseas Zambia India Ireland Mozambique
SERVE Volunteers at Young Africa Manga Campus in Beira, Mozambique











Volunteers will be placed in the port city of Beira with Young Africa Mozambique. Young Africa’s focus is on life skills and technical and vocational training. SERVE and Young Africa have been working closely together since 2008, delivering innovative projects that are focused on technical, vocational, and educational training (TVET), life skills, and practical youthwork. Young Africa operates two campuses. Volunteers will be split between the Manga Campus and at the Dondo Agri-Tech campus. 

 

What work will I be doing? 

  • – Construction and renovation work in Beira. 
  • – Horticulture and agriculture work in Dondo. 
  • – Conversational English lessons. 
  • – Youth and community activities, such as sports days and community festivals. 
  • – Supporting the on-going initiatives of Young Africa. 

FAQ

Most frequent questions and answers

Age 18+ and must no longer be in full time second level education. All backgrounds and disciplines are welcome. You must be willing to get stuck-in, open to learning about new cultures and perspectives, and able to live and work with a diverse group of people.

This placement is open to individuals with a variety of backgrounds and skills.

Volunteers must be willing to get stuck in and happy to do some physical labour such as mixing cement, laying bricks, and digging foundations.

A background in construction or engineering is strongly desired for the Beira placement.

A background in horticulture and agriculture is strongly desired for the Dondo campus.

Both placements are also looking volunteers with solar panel technology skills.

Some basic Portuguese is also beneficial. 

The SERVE volunteer programme is an immersive experience, with huge learning opportunities. Volunteers work closely with locals, offering a unique opportunity to gain insights into the lives of people in Mozambique. The Young Africa campuses are busy, bustling places and volunteers can be called on to get involved in a range of social and cultural activities.

An average day includes but is not limited to:

  • – On-site agricultural, construction and renovation work. 
  • – Facilitating youth and community activities. 
  • – Immersion into life on the Young Africa campuses. 
  • – Unstructured engagement with Young Africa students and staff, through working side-by-side, playing sport or games, or through general conversation. 
  • – Global Citizenship Education

Volunteers will live on the Young Africa Manga campus and Young Africa Dondo campus, depending on their placements.

Accommodation is basic but comfortable. Meals are provided on campus. 

All the volunteers will stay together in Beira during the orientation period and at the weekends. 

 

You will be required to consult  your doctor for expert medical advice. Vaccinations are at the expense of the individual volunteer and should not be fundraised for.

Global Citizenship Education (GCE) is a core part of the SERVE volunteer programme. The placement, through the immersion of volunteers into the everyday challenges of life, presents unique opportunities for global learning and nurturing cross-cultural understanding. 

The learning experience of the placement is contextualised through GCE. Through interactive sessions and tasks, facilitated by the team leaders or guest speakers, volunteers are encouraged to think critically about the placement, their role in the world, and broader issues of injustice, inequality, and the challenge of sustainable and inclusive development. GCE is mainstreamed through the pre-departure training, the placement, and the debriefing seminar. 

Read up on all the placements then apply here.

Once you have submitted your application, a member of Team SERVE will be in contact with you to organise an interview (in-person or Zoom).

If you are successful, your place will be confirmed shortly afterwards. 

FAQ on Fees

Most frequent questions and answers

This is relevant to those who are applying to volunteer overseas with SERVE.

You have to raise a minimum of €3,495 / £3,070 (inclusive of your non-refundable deposit of €200/£200). 

This covers the costs relating to:

  • – your flight and travel insurance,
  • – pre-departure training costs,
  • – in-country support,
  • – your main meals, accommodation, transport while on your overseas placement
  • – a grant to the overseas partner with whom you will be placed and
  • – your attendance at the SERVE “Next Step” Weekend following your return to Ireland. 

You will receive fundraising support and workshops extensively during the pre-departure training days and on request at any stage throughout the process. 

This is relevant to those who are applying to volunteer overseas with SERVE.

Many of our Volunteers raise sums over and above their 3,495 / £3,070.  All of the funds raised above the target amount go directly to our Project Country fund; this provides financial support to our partners, enabling them to deliver on projects which the volunteers will work on. 

 

 

This is relevant to those who are applying to volunteer overseas with SERVE.

The 3,495 / £3,070 participation fee primarily covers the running costs of your placement. If you do not raise this amount, you will have to forfeit your place. However, if you are having trouble with fundraising, you will have the support of both SERVE and our volunteer network to help you to reach your target. 

 

 



Volunteer Programme 2023 Registration Form

Zambia 2023 Volunteer Programme

Volunteer in Zambia with SERVE in 2023

An overview of your SERVE volunteer placement in Zambia

SERVE Volunteering Programme 2023 Hybrid Overseas Zambia India Ireland Mozambique
SERVE Volunteers at Assumption Paraish, Mazabuka in Zambia











In Zambia, volunteers will split their time between Mazabuka and Lusaka.

In Mazabuka, volunteers will be placed for two weeks with the SERVE and Assumption Parish Youth Project. The project targets young people, delivering programmes in the areas of primary education, practical youthwork, and life-skills training. SERVE have been working in Zambia since 2009, supporting targeted infrastructure and capacity building initiatives.

In Lusaka, volunteers will be placed for two weeks with Young Africa Zambia. Young Africa’s focus is on life skills and technical and vocational training. SERVE and Young Africa have been working closely together since 2008, delivering innovative projects that are focused on technical, vocational, and educational training (TVET), life skills, and practical youthwork. 

 

What work will I be doing at both locations? 

  • – Facilitating a programme of youthwork and youth leadership training, under the guidance of a youthwork specialist. 
  • – Facilitating creative arts workshops for children and teenagers, with a focus on music, drama, and sport. 
  • – Conversational English lessons 
  • – Minor construction work such as painting etc 
  • – Supporting the on-going initiatives of the Assumption Parish Youth Project and Young Africa, Zambia 

 

FAQ

Most frequent questions and answers

Age 18+ and must no longer be in full time second level education. All backgrounds and disciplines are welcome. You must be willing to get stuck-in, open to learning about new cultures and perspectives, and able to live and work with a diverse group of people.

This placement is open to individuals with a variety of backgrounds and skills. Volunteers must be willing to get stuck in and enjoy working with children and teenagers.

A background in youthwork, creative arts or teaching is an advantage.

Other skills that would be useful include experience in HR/recruitment/professional development and career advisors.

You will be required to consult  your doctor for expert medical advice. Vaccinations are at the expense of the individual volunteer and should not be fundraised for.

In Lusaka, volunteers will live as a group in Young Africa’s YWCA accommodation. In Mazabuka, volunteers will live as a group in the Assumption Parish community house, located at the heart of all project activities. In both locations, accommodation is basic but comfortable. Meals are provided on-site. 

The SERVE volunteer programme is an immersive experience, with huge learning opportunities. Volunteers work closely with locals, offering a unique opportunity to gain insights into the lives of people in Zambia.

An average day includes but is not limited to:

  • – Facilitating youth work and youth leadership training. 
  • – Facilitating creative arts and sports activities. 
  • – Immersion into life in Zambia. 
  • – Unstructured engagement with the people of Mazabuka, through working side-by-side, playing sport or games, or through general conversation. 
  • – Global Citizenship Education

Global Citizenship Education (GCE) is a core part of the SERVE volunteer programme. The placement, through the immersion of volunteers into the everyday challenges of life, presents unique opportunities for global learning and nurturing cross-cultural understanding. 

The learning experience of the placement is contextualised through GCE. Through interactive sessions and tasks, facilitated by the team leaders or guest speakers, volunteers are encouraged to think critically about the placement, their role in the world, and broader issues of injustice, inequality, and the challenge of sustainable and inclusive development. GCE is mainstreamed through the pre-departure training, the placement, and the debriefing seminar. 

Read up on all the placements then register here.

Once you have submitted your application, a member of Team SERVE will be in contact with you to organise an interview (in-person or Zoom).

If you are successful, your place will be confirmed shortly afterwards. 

FAQ on Fees

Most frequent questions and answers

This is relevant to those who are applying to volunteer overseas with SERVE.

You have to raise a minimum of €3,495 / £3,070 (inclusive of your non-refundable deposit of €200/£200). 

This covers the costs relating to:

  • – your flight and travel insurance,
  • – pre-departure training costs,
  • – in-country support,
  • – your main meals, accommodation, transport while on your overseas placement
  • – a grant to the overseas partner with whom you will be placed and
  • – your attendance at the SERVE “Next Step” Weekend following your return to Ireland. 

You will receive fundraising support and workshops extensively during the pre-departure training days and on request at any stage throughout the process. 

This is relevant to those who are applying to volunteer overseas with SERVE.

Many of our Volunteers raise sums over and above their 3,495 / £3,070.  All of the funds raised above the target amount go directly to our Project Country fund; this provides financial support to our partners, enabling them to deliver on projects which the volunteers will work on. 

 

 

This is relevant to those who are applying to volunteer overseas with SERVE.

The 3,495 / £3,070 participation fee primarily covers the running costs of your placement. If you do not raise this amount, you will have to forfeit your place. However, if you are having trouble with fundraising, you will have the support of both SERVE and our volunteer network to help you to reach your target. 

 

 



Volunteer Programme 2023 Registration Form