SUAS, a youth and education-focused organisation founded in 2002, is encouraging Galway students to volunteer to their education abroad programme.

SUAS brings education to the under developed communities and regions of Kenya and India with the help of 90 student volunteers each year

Galway students have been in the past under represented, with Dublin students holding 60 per cent of the volunteer quota. This year SUAS is eager to encourage all Galway students to get involved in the programme.

"We are funded partially through Irish Aid and work in conjunction with Concern. Although we have a network of 12 college societies all around Ireland, we are hoping to broaden our volunteer base to reach young people who might not be exposed to such opportunities through the traditional university structure," said Aisling McDonnell of SUAS.

These programmes facilitate the education of over 10, 000 children a year. Connor, a 20-year-old student in Galway went on the volunteer programme last year. He says it was the best three months of his life.

"We got an unbelievable induction from SUAS over three long weekends. There were skills I learnt on the weekend that will stand to me for life.

"Everybody I have met since says 'I really would love to do that'. Well, my advice is to do it. The only requirement is to have an open mind and be willing to work in a team," said Connor.

During the three-month period that the volunteers spend in the community-based school or education project in India or Kenya, they also have the chance to take part in a Global Perspective workshop facilitated by the UN.

SUAS now wants to reach young people, who not only have invaluable contributions to make, but who might broaden the skill-set of our volunteer base. There will be an informative evening on the NUIG Concourse on Wednesday 14 November at 6pm.

The evening will have return volunteers from Galway who meet and discuss the experience of what they learned in their time away, and how, upon return, this has encouraged them to see their own community differently.

This year's closing date for volunteer applications is Friday 14 December. For further information log onto www.suas.ie.

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