More than 32,000 people from the UK – the majority skilled or semi-skilled – have become VSO volunteers, working in 34 countries, mostly in Africa and Asia, since 1958.

Sarah Wanless spent two years working as a teacher in rural Gambia and said the experience made her realise what is really important in life.
Sarah grew up in Surrey but spent a great deal of her early childhood in St Ives where her grandparents, aunts and uncles lived. Grandad was Andy Killoran, who owned Rowell's Menswear store.

She attended St Ivo School and after a gap year in the US, studied geography at Lancaster University, alongside her teaching qualifications. After a spell working in Blackburn, Sarah decided to do VSO.

Sarah said: "It was something I always had in the back of my mind that I wanted to do. I had four years training and five years teaching experience that I wanted to share with teachers and children less fortunate than myself.

"I have always had an overwhelming feeling that no one should turn their back on the problems of the world. I was also very keen to see the world and learn about different ways of life."

The young teacher applied for VSO in October 2004, was interviewed in January 2005 and flew to The Gambia in August 2005.

She said: "I had heard excellent things about VSO and they were right because the whole experience was easy. I had one week motorbike training and three weeks training on how to be a trainer. They are also responsible for volunteers' travel, health and security.

"Once in The Gambia I had four weeks training which was specific to working and living there, which included learning about the education system, cultures, traditions and language lessons."

Through VSO Sarah was employed by the Gambian Department of State of Education and based in the Central River Region in 12 different primary schools, in and around the rural village of Brikamaba where she lived.

Using a motorbike to get around to the schools, far out into the bush, she spent the first six months building up relationships with the schools and communities.

Over the two years her work was very varied and included training teachers in their classrooms, with the most important aspect being that it had to be sustainable – she left skills in the hands of others – not a gap needing to be refilled.

Sarah said: "I learned to speak Mandinka, one of 12 tribal languages, which helped immensely with my work and social life."

Problems facing Gambian schools are many. Most teachers have no qualifications and very poor school education. Schools have no money or resources and class sizes vary between 40 and 80, with classrooms often having no furniture.
What advice would Sarah give to someone who might be considering becoming a volunteer?

"I would say do it. I do not know one person who lives in a developed country who would not learn much from becoming a VSO volunteer.

"I learned what is important in life, about community spirit, hard work, frustration, loss of life, illness, hunger – I could go on.
"It is truly a wonderful experience, but I must say it was really hard work at times too.

"I met many wonderful people; Gambians and volunteers from all over the world, and I am looking forward to returning to visit my 'family' and friends there."

>> Romance bloomed for Sarah in Gambia for it was there she met her husband-to-be, Zac, a volunteer who worked for the United States Peace Corps Service. The couple now live in New York.