“This has developed me as a person and has stretched my skills, in a way, that no training course could provide. My employer has a more rounded and resilient employee who adapts easily to the challenges their role throws at them.”

“I gain so much from each experience that undertaking volunteer assignments is now part of my life, being a better employee and global citizen is a bonus that I believe benefits all.”

“I have tried to inch forward with the accounting principles but have had neither the time to spare when I am there nor the skills to do it properly. It has been so fabulous that you have had both. Thank you."

"I truly cannot thank AFID enough for what you are doing for the Ineza Children's Centre and the Ineza Parents' School. Ingrid's visit has been incredibly successful … I am so beyond grateful. This will make such a huge difference to their work in Kisoro, both on the practical level, but also just in terms of the vast amount of learning and the huge confidence boost that this has given the staff there.”

He also helped me with setting up a financial model that we can use both to track progress as well as make projections that are both vital for regular reporting and grant applications. He also took me through the tool to understand how to use it while he is not here.

In addition to all that, he develop a financial management training tool that we are going to be offering as a training package. In other words he has developed a new product for us as an organisation. This is a life time value addition for us as a growing organisation.

In a nut shell, Jack is the best consultant/ volunteer we have had so far and I am deeply grateful for this partnership."

... Staying with the CEO’s family also gave me a unique opportunity to learn more about local livelihoods in Malawi and the challenges faced, particularly with unemployment. I would recommend a similar placement to anyone looking for the chance to do something different while giving back”. 

...I've learnt a lot about how a charity is organised.  Funding in the not-for-profit sector is obviously very much a constant concern, and in the two weeks I worked at CHIA it was so heartening to hear of all the volunteer applications, organisations that get in touch out of the blue wanting to fund-raise, and all the people that are just interested in the great work they do and become such generous benefactors.   My volunteer certificate from CHIA will take pride of place in my home."