The Singapore Volunteers Overseas (SVO) Programme offers Singaporeans a unique, invaluable opportunity to use their knowledge, skills, services and resources to help developing communities build sustainable capacity and improve their overall quality of life.
Living, Sharing, Learning – that captures the spirit of the SVO programme.
The SVO programme is not only SIF's flagship overseas volunteer platform, it is also one of the most established international volunteer sending programmes in South East Asia.
Since its inception in 1991, the SVO programme has enabled more than 1,500 skilled Singaporean volunteers, up to 30 Singapore institutions, corporations and foundations, and numerous supporters to participate directly in building capabilities in developing communities for long-term, sustainable development. The SVO programme has been privileged to offer help to 16 countries over the years.
The aim of the SVO programme is to enable host communities bring about positive, long-lasting change. The programme therefore focuses on projects that can last from a few months to a few years to ensure sustainability. Singaporean Volunteers Overseas (SVOs) serve as long and short term in-field volunteers, short term workshop trainers and specialists trainers with the aim of enhancing the knowledge and skills of their counterparts in host communities.
Depending on their skills, commitment, abilities and the needs of various hosts, SVOs typically provide skills training in health, education, Information Technology, business, finance, community development and the empowerment of disadvantaged people, working in both government and non-government sectors. In view of the constantly evolving needs of host communities, the SVO programme is increasingly engaging volunteers with more varied and diverse skills than ever before.
The SVO programme is a powerful, life-transforming experience for both volunteers and the communities they work with. Enriched by the exchange, volunteers return home with newfound perspectives and insights about themselves and of the world they live in.
"Charity begins at home" but it most definitely does not end there. This Christmas season, funds raised through the Metro for Children charity will go towards supporting the international volunteerism efforts of the Singapore International Foundation (SIF) and Pioneer Junior College (PJC) to bring light to the lives of children in Cambodia and Vietnam.
Ever wanted to spend a period of time away from home volunteering in a foreign country? Well, listen to the first-hand account of two SIF volunteers - Ms. Lim Ann Chi, a special educator and Ms. Christina Ang, a social worker - currently stationed in Phnom Penh. Get a glimpse into their lives as they share about their experience abroad - the joys, challenges and their hopes for the people of Cambodia.
Seventeen Cambodian physiotherapists have successfully completed a year-long training programme to graduate with the Advanced Certificate in Physiotherapy Practice awarded by the Singapore General Hospital Postgraduate Allied Health Institute (SGH- PGAHI).
