A YEAR WITH OVERSEAS VOLUNTEERS
I was with Overseas Volunteers (OV) for a year after leaving university, and I was sent to an isolated village in Chad, about 500 kilometres from the capital N'Djamena. Coming from a (1) country, I got quite a shock, as conditions were much harder than I had expected. But after a lew days I got used to (2) there. The people were always very friendly and helpful, and I soon began to appreciate how beautiful the countiyside was.
One of my jobs was to supply the village (3) water. The well was a long walk away, and the women used to spend a long time every day (4) heavy pots backwards and forwards. So I contacted the organisation and arranged to have some pipes delivered. (5) these pipes were not really perfect, they still made a great difference to the villagers.
All in all, I think my time with OV was a good experience. Although it was not paid, it was well worth doing and I would recommend it to anyone (6) was considering working for a charity.

SAVE MONEY ON THE BOOK THAT AIMS TO SAVE ANIMALS
Do you want to take part in the battle to save the world's wildlife? Animal Watch is the book which will (7) you in the fight for survival that (8) many of our endangered animals and show how they struggle on the (9) of extinction.
As you enjoy the book's 250 pages and over 150 color photographs, you will have the (10) of knowing that part of your purchase money is being used to (11) animals (12) from the comfort of your armchair, you will be able to observe the world's animals close-up and explore their habitats. You will also discover the terrible results of human (13) for land, flesh and skins.
Animal Watch is packed with fascinating facts. Did you know that polar bears cover their black noses (14) their (15) so they can hunt their prey in the snow without being seen, for example? Or that (16) each orangutan which is captured, one has to die?

European Union, almost 100 million citizens of all ages invest their time, talents and money to make a positive contribution to their community by volunteering in civil society organisations, youth clubs, hospitals, schools, in sport clubs, etc. For the Commission, volunteering is an active expression of civic participation which strengthens common European values such as solidarity and social cohesion. Volunteering also provides important learning opportunities, because involvement in voluntary activities can provide people with new skills and competences that can even improve their employability. This is especially important at this time of economic crisis. Volunteering plays an important role in sectors as varied and diverse as education, youth, culture, sport, environment, health, social care, consumer protection, humanitarian aid, development policy, research, equal opportunities and external relations.
Objectives of the Year:
1. To create an enabling and facilitating environment for volunteering in the EU;
2. To empower volunteer organisations and improve the quality of volunteering;
3. To reward and recognise volunteering activities; and
4. To raise awareness of the value and importance of volunteering.
The Commission expects that the European Year of Volunteering will lead to an Increase In volunteering and to greater awareness of its added value, and that it will highlight the link between voluntary engagement at local level and its significance in the wider European context.
(EU Citizenship Portal)