Vialisa

When I was in college, studying elementary education, I worked in a furniture store on week-ends. I got along great with the co-workers of the cash register. One of them was Lisa. Lisa was majoring in Development Aid at a university. She told me about being adopted from Bangladesh when she was two. And she also told me about her plans to go back to Bangladesh and found her own development organisation.

She did, in 2003, and Vialisa was founded. I offered to help her out with translations and editing Dutch texts, and became her first volunteer.

By now, Lisa has been living in Bangladesh for almost three years. She has an office and two schools, and she helps youngsters age 15-22 find jobs in appropriate situations. Kids in Bangladesh often have to work to support their families. But Vialisa helps them find situations where they aren't being exploited and are paid well. Most of the kids also get training on the job or are given the chance to go to school to study English and other things, like personal hygiene or how to manage a bank account. Vialisa has Bengali social workers that actually go into the slums to find and support children.

I'm really proud of Lisa, and of her organisation. Even though I don't always have a lot of time to work for Vialisa, I still consider myself lucky to be helping her help kids. I think everybody should donate to charity. Money, time, or both, if possible. It's really rewarding!

Are you looking for a new charity to support? Or are you interested? Check the website!