Born in middle of England, Salt’s mother was a cleaner while her father worked as a builder. “I was one of the only people in my family to go to university,” shares Salt who started her career as a teacher and[break]
The VSO, which began in the UK 55 years ago, works in over 30 countries in Asia and Africa. It sends volunteers to help people help themselves and change their own lives. “A big part of what we do is to recruit volunteers while another part is to raise money because we need money for the programs and to support the volunteers,” shares Salt, adding, “It’s also important that we communicate all this work to the public, media and politicians so that they all understand that the role of volunteers in making development happen.
“The amazing thing about this program, which is funded by the British Government and is called International Citizen Service (ICS) is that, you see the changes in the young people on both sides,” says Salt. The ICS program is a 12-week voluntary service for young adults and volunteers from foreign countries are work together with their native counterparts. “These volunteers are very eager to speak about the benefits they’ve received. The Nepali volunteers will tells us about learning things from their counterpart from Britain and the learning in the community. And the British will talk about lots of sharing and learning. You see lives being changed, first hand,” says Salt.
She further adds that for all volunteers, it’s really important what they do in the country. “They make real difference and help people,” says Salt.” Nepali people change their own lives. It’s not about British people doing things to Nepalis, its’ about Nepali people having gained skills and doing things for themselves. When the volunteers go back home, their lives are also changed,” she adds.
Salt hopes the VSO can continue to help people in Nepal to help themselves and that Nepalis can build on and spread the skills they’ve learnt regarding education, health and livelihoods.
“When you make a real connection with someone from different countries, while working together, and you feel like a change in your heart and head,” says Salt adding, “So now when I go home, I’ll have Nepal in my head and heart.”
Salt was featured on “Inspirations: The essence of life”, a personality-based television series presented by Media Gallery and Global Exposition and Management Services in association with Republica. The program is aired on Nepal Television every Wednesday at 10:10pm
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