UK Programme
// The ROBBS Bursary scheme
Sir Richard O’Brien was an inspirational driving force in Concordia until his retirement from the Board in 2001; this Bursary Scheme has been established in recognition of Sir Richard’s immense contribution to the work of the organisation.
For many years young people from the UK have gained valuable and unique experiences while joining workcamps in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East, whereas the obvious financial limitations of volunteers from these countries has prevented them from joining projects in the UK.
The ROBBS scheme provides financial assistance for representatives from our southern partner organisations to spend time in the UK on an extended programme of activities.
The Programme
A typical programme lasts from 4-6 weeks and will incorporate; participating on a UK project, assisting with a North South preparation weekend, spending time in the office and visits to other UK workcamp organisations.
The participant
The participant is usually someone who works either as an active volunteer or a staff member in their home organisation, and joins the scheme both to experience our working methods and to share methods they employ at home.
Sharavana Dhanapal Chettiar (Saroo)
Saroo is an Indian volunteer who joined the ROBBS scheme through our Indian partner organisation FSL in June 2006. Saroo was a child labourer who grew up on the streets of Bangalore and would spend his evenings after school selling flowers. He was chosen to come to the UK because of the hard work he had done raising awareness, through his photography, of the plight of street children in India.
Saroo’s 4 week programme began in June 2006 when he participated in our UK Beach Dreams project. This local community arts festival was ideal for Saroo as he loves art and drama and was soon providing some great ideas for the festival, whose theme was Bollywood Nights and Indian Dreams. After two weeks working at the festival and performing at their show he struck up a great rapport with the host organisation and was invited to share his stories and photos from home at one of the assemblies of a local school.
Saroo also got to see some other parts of the UK during his stay and visited Cardiff and Leeds to meet some of our colleagues at other UK volunteer organisations. He also enjoyed day trips to London and the Isle of Wight.
Another part of Saroo’s programme involved assisting Concordia with one of our North South preparation weekends. The attendance of an Indian volunteer on this weekend was invaluable as it gave UK volunteers an idea of what to expect in India before they depart.
Saroo’s 4 week visit was all too short and everyone at Concordia was sorry to have to say goodbye, we have however kept in contact with him and Francesco, our International Volunteer Co-ordiantor had the opportunity to see him again on his visit to India in December 2006.
“Being able to contribute and be creative and seeing the end result as well as meeting the people was the best”. Saroo - on what he enjoyed most about the Beach Dreams project.