Local woman to volunteer in Uganda

A NORTSIDE HR professional will shortly travel to
Uganda on a year long placement with international development charity
Voluntary Services Overseas (VSO).

Helen O’Flinn (35), from Drumcondra, who works at
Eircom, will spend the next 12 months working as a HR development specialist
with VSO partner organisation and Ugandan HIV & AIDS supporter group MARP
(Most at Risk Population).

Helen will use her professional skills to strengthen
and implement the organisation’s HR model to ensure best practice including
staff growth and retention. She will be paid a local living allowance by VSO
and will live in the locality of the MARP office.

Speaking ahead of her impending departure, Helen said:

“I am really looking forward to the challenge that a new job and a new country
will bring.

“Hopefully my relatively short time in Uganda will
make a difference to many of the marginalised groups that MARP are currently
assisting.

?

HIV and AIDS is a major problem in Uganda especially
among women. The number of people affected by HIV & AIDS has overwhelmed
the country’s health systems and structures.

The cost of treatment and support has shot up leaving
Uganda to become reliant on donors.

National organisations such as MARP are tackling the
stigma associated with HIV and AIDS and fighting for the rights of those
affected especially women in Ugandan society.

VSO recruit experienced professionals such as Helen to
share their skills and work long term in the areas of education, health,
community development and business management. Currently volunteers are working
in over 44 countries worldwide serving some of the world’s poorest communities.

Speaking of Helen’s upcoming placement, director of VSO
Ireland Malcolm Quigley, said:

“VSO needs motivated people like Helen to work
overseas on sustainable volunteer programmes.

“In developing countries such as Uganda, some people
are living on just

?¬2 a day.

“Things we take for granted, like health and education
services, are hard to access for marginalised people.

?

To learn more about volunteering or the work of VSO,
visit www.vso.ie