Elizabeth’s Journey with Cuso International: A Volunteer Story of Impact and Growth

After retiring from a 20-year career as a gender advisor, Elizabeth Yunga didn’t settle into a quiet life. Instead, she found a new calling with Cuso International (Cuso), channeling her passion for gender equality and community development into volunteer work that took her across continents – from Cameroon to Nigeria and Dominica, where she faced challenge in unexpected ways.

Growing up in Cameroon, Elizabeth had always been driven by a desire to empower others, working with organizations like Plan International and Save the Children. Retirement didn’t dim that drive.

“I like giving back to the community. It’s gratifying to support people while learning from them,” she said.

For Elizabeth, volunteering became a way to share her expertise while immersing herself in new cultures and challenges.

Over the past year and a half, Elizabeth has embarked on three placements with Cuso. Her journey began in Nigeria, where she worked with Education as a Vaccine (EVA) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). Later, she traveled to Dominica, where she spent seven months developing a gender training manual for the Ministry of Health’s gender bureau.

In Dominica, Elizabeth encountered a stark reality. The Bureau of Gender Affairs, unlike the dedicated ministries she had worked with in Nigeria and Cameroon, was a small unit attached to the Ministry of Health’s Social Services Department. This structure made it difficult for the bureau to advocate for gender issues at a national level, and many staff members lacked a clear understanding of gender mainstreaming. It is widely acknowledged that resistance to gender equality was palpable.

“I had to find a way to help them understand what they were going through,” said Elizabeth. “So, I developed a session on change management and resistance to gender equality, which we discussed together.”

But the challenges didn’t end there. Dominica’s gender landscape was very different from what she had encountered in Africa.

“Gender is not the same everywhere. Coming from Africa, where there are issues like female genital mutilation, early marriages, and parents not sending their girl children to school, it is not the same in Dominica,” said Elizabeth.

The country had a higher level of female education and fewer issues with early marriages, but gender-based violence remained a significant concern. “The staff and I had to review the scenarios in the gender training manual to reflect the reality of Dominica,” Elizabeth said.

While many NGOs were actively fighting gender-based violence, Elizabeth noticed a gap: they were treating symptoms, not solving the root causes.

“This is because they need training on how to analyze a gender-based violence situation right to the root causes after ensuring the survivor is safe,” she said

In her training manual, Elizabeth encouraged staff to look beyond the immediate crisis. “We have to find out why the perpetrator is abusive, even while he is in jail,” she said. By shifting the focus to include both survivor and perpetrator, Elizabeth aimed to create long-term change. “This will also help the service provider give him the necessary support to understand the implications of his actions on the whole family,” she added.

For Elizabeth, volunteering with Cuso has been a deeply rewarding experience. Her manual was not only well-received by local staff but also shared with Cuso’s country offices in other regions. She takes pride in knowing that her efforts, supported by Cuso, will continue to benefit communities beyond her placement.

She emphasizes the importance of commitment, patience, and flexibility for anyone considering volunteering with Cuso. “You must be committed and patient,” she said. “What you expect may not be what you find on the ground, but with Cuso International’s support and an open mind, you can make a real difference.”

Volunteering with Cuso International 

Cuso has been facilitating volunteer placements for over 62 years, sending more than 14,000 skilled professionals to over 100 countries. With placements in Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean, and Northern Canada, Cuso offers opportunities in fields such as agriculture, business development, education, gender equality, and more. Volunteers receive comprehensive training, in-country accommodation, return airfare, health insurance, and a modest living allowance.

If you’re looking for a meaningful way to stay engaged and make a difference, consider volunteering with Cuso. Visit Cuso International to learn more about current opportunities and how you can contribute to creating a better world.