A new partnership will allow VSO country offices to more easily integrate Talking Books into program design and delivery
Through a new high-level partnership, Amplio and Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) will jointly pursue opportunities to use Talking Books. The agreement will make it easier for VSO’s country offices to integrate Talking Books into program design and delivery. “The Talking Book is well-suited for VSO’s volunteer model and core areas of work—inclusive education, health, and resilient livelihoods,” said Bea Covington, global partnerships director. “VSO is a highly respected international development organization and we’re thrilled to help increase their reach and impact.”
VSO brings about change not by sending aid, but by working through volunteers and partners to empower communities in some of the world’s poorest regions. In 2020, Amplio was introduced to VSO by Arm, the world’s leading semiconductor IP company, and invited to partner on a VSO project in Zambia.
In a 2020 webinar, Amplio, VSO, and Arm discussed their partnership in Zambia.
Building on our VSO Zambia partnership
The new Amplio/VSO partnership builds on the success of our collaboration on VSO’s Adolescent TALK! (Training and Local Knowledge) project in Zambia’s Samfya District—a rural district of isolated island communities. Through the TALK project, VSO and the Ministry of Health work to address high rates of teen pregnancy and HIV by providing youth (aged 10-19) with safe spaces and platforms to discuss the issues that affect them.
When VSO introduced Talking Books last summer, the technology was a hit. In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, volunteers were able to maintain social distancing and continue their health education activities. The youth listened to Talking Books in discussion groups and took the devices home to listen with their families. Peer educators said Talking Books gave them a sense of purpose. The technology provided young people with both learning and entertainment and made it easier to share consistent messages about sensitive topics.
Amplio looks forward to collaborating with VSO to deliver knowledge and empower people living in some of the world’s poorest and most overlooked regions.
Learn more about VSO at www.vsointernational.org/our-work.