VSA report 2006/07

(Taken from the 2006/07 issue of The Blue Paper) 

On refection over the 7 years I have been secretary of WOBS the one thing I would be most proud to have been associated with is the WOBS VSA. Supporting Worth Old Boys to do voluntary work in far flung places detached from our own world can only give a warm feeling that something truly good is being done. The award goes a tiny way to justifying the immense privilege Worth boys have in their education and upbringing. I very much hope that the award goes from strength to strength and will remain a cornerstone of what WOBS is about.

In a time when sabbaticals of three to six months from the grindstone of a set career path are becoming more accepted or even encouraged, the WOBS VSA may be able to come into its own. This grant is available to any wob proposing to spend time in unpaid work for the good of others, be directly for people, or indirectly for the environment. So perhaps the existence of the WOBS VSA may be able to entice wobs away from their desks into taking a truly worthwhile sabbatical. Let's hope it does.

Last summer, newly qualified doctors, Ed Chedgy and Jon Craik returned to Worth, having benefited from a WOBS VSA to help them take an elective in China. They spoke to year 12 (lower VI) about their experiences of Chinese medicine, both traditional and modern (see page 8-9). I don't know about the boys in the audience as 16/17 year olds don't give much away, but I found the talk fascinating. I have no doubt that the insight these young doctors got to into traditional Chinese medicine, which was being practised alongside the medicine we experience, will stay with them in their careers and will help them be broad-minded in their approach to the medical problems they will have to solve. What the people of China gained from two new doctors for the UK being let loose on them is not so clear but I am sure they provided great entertainment value.

This summer will bring Michael Burr and Dominic Moor back to Worth, having made trips to Cambodia and Uganda, respectively. No doubt their stories will be as different as the purposes for their trips and will add to the rich tapestry of the WOBS VSA.

If you are interested in finding out more about the VSA please visit www.wobsnet.org.uk  and see the ‘activities' section. Whether you would like to apply for a VSA, donate to the VSA fund or know if a project that needs volunteers please contact the WOBS secretary, Olivia Henley (wobs@wobsnet.org.uk) for more details.

Marie-Clare McMenemy

VSAs awarded so far

2005-06

Dominic Moor - elective Uganda                                   £500

Michael Burr - conservation Cambodia                         £500

Rob Carson - camp for disabled children                      £850

Edmund Chedgy - elective in China                              £500

Johnathan Craik - elective in China                              £500

2004-2005

Daniel Grace VSA - teaching in Chile                          £500

Elliott Webber VSA - teaching in Nepal                       £500

2003-04

Andrew Welsh - teaching in Galagapos Is                     £500

2002-03

Francis Binney - conservation in Indonesia                   £200

Mark Haden - building nurses homes in Zambia            £250

2001-02

James Powys Lybbe - carer Romanian orphanage        £500

Alex Tyrwhitt - teaching english in China                       £250

2000-01

Nick Smith - teaching Uganda                                       £500

Ed Bonn - teaching in Kenya                                         £250