Making a World of Difference
Tuesday 9th February 2010
Since January COCO have been benefitting from the talents of 21 year old graduate Greg Orrock thanks to a new scheme from Vodafone.
The Vodafone 'World of Difference' scheme allows the next generation of philanthropists to gain two months of invaluable work experience in a charity of their choice, and get paid whilst they're doing it. So far this opportunity has been extended to over 700 individuals, three of whom have been chosen to work at COCO.
Greg, from Prudhoe, is one of 500 outstanding candidates from all around the UK who won a place on the two month scheme. Greg wanted to work with COCO after graduating from Lancaster University with a degree in Mathematics.
One of COCO's existing volunteers, John Davis took some time out to catch up with Greg and find out more about why he chose COCO and how he ended up here...
John: So Greg, I hear you arrived at COCO, where did you hear about the World of Difference scheme and how did you get selected?
Greg: I first heard about the scheme through a radio advert, I liked the sound of it so visited the Vodafone website. To get selected I first had to talk to the charity of my choice, COCO, to agree to me joining them. They were very keen so then I just had to fill in an application form, like you would for any job, and write a couple of short essays about why I wanted to be involved with the scheme and work for COCO.
John: So what made you pick COCO to work with?
Greg: Well, COCO stands for 'Comrades of Children Overseas' and I'd done Camp America a couple of times when I was at University so I was keen to work with a charity that focused on improving the lives of kids. I also liked the fact that COCO seemed to take a very long term view of development work, it wasn't just short term quick fixes, they are in it for the long haul.
John: Just who is Greg Orrock?!
Greg: Well, I've just graduated from Lancaster Uni where I studied Maths. I also played Lacrosse, had the odd swim and hit the gym every now and again... just a normal lad from Prudhoe really! I've jsut got back from travelling in Mexico, everyone should go to Mexico, I had great fun! There's loads of 'spring break' party spots like Cancun, superb beaches, Mayan ruins, it's an awesome country!
John: Back to the placement, what sort of stuff have you been up to at COCO? Lots of making tea/photocopying?!
Greg: Acutally, I haven't made a cuppa yet, I'll have to get my act together there! No, it's all been real work, I've been doing lots of research. I've looked at identifying NGO's based in Newcastle, tried to find opportunities for COCO to collaborate with other organisations, looked at which food and cash crops grow in dry climates, and at how effective solar engergy is in the countries COCO work. It's really interesting, varied stuff.
John: Learnt anything?
Greg: Absolutely, for instance, I didn't know Nigeria has a population the size of the UK! That's my fact for the day! I've realised how ignorant I was, and people in general are of conditions in developing countries. I've read plenty of stories about people walking 5 hours a day to collect water or firewood, I just can't comprehend what that would be like. More generally, I've learnt a lot about what is involved in getting a charity to work well and also what a huge effect seemingly small things can have on communities.
John: Have you enjoyed your time at COCO so far?
Greg: Absolutely, I'm loving it! The COCo office is a great place to work in, there's none of the office politics you might find elsewhere!
John: Former Olympic athlete Steve Cram founded COCO, have you met him yet?
Greg: Yes, he's been into the office a few times.
John: He's getting on a bit now, reckon you could beat him over 1500 metres?!
Greg: Not a chance! I'm a terrible middle-distance runner! He's still really fit, I know he does challenges like the annual Coast to Coast bike ride and has climbed Kilimanjaro, no, I'd definitely be soundly beaten. Could make a good fundraising event though... 'The Cram Challenge' ... yeah...
And that was where we had to leave things as Greg went off to put an event proposal together, just don't tell Steve..!
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