Henry Allieu, Logistics Officer from Sierra Leone, started to volunteer in his home country in his area of specialisation: Home Economics - Food and Nutrition.

"Being among the first Sierra Leonean male Home Economists so much was expected of me. I worked as a nutritionist, a home maker and gender activist. It was not easy as a man to be recognised in a so called 'Female Field'."

Henry was volunteering in projects aimed at sensitising rural women with regard to household food security. He explained how, through different ways of preparing, preserving and marketing, local food commodities could be used to sustain families. He was giving talks to mothers in maternal clinics on the importance of breast milk and mother-infant care.

"It wasn't because of a particular interest in politics that I decided to opt for the Electoral field, especially in post war countries like Sierra Leone and Sudan, but because I wanted to be primarily involved in the democratic process of elections."

To this end Henry undertook training in electoral administration and management and started to work for the National Electoral Commission in Sierra Leone. Eventually he was overseeing the electoral operations in the district to which he was assigned for 4 years.

"It has always been my dream to be part of the restoration of peace in war-shattered nations where hopes and dreams are at times lost.

For me, the importance of volunteering is what my work means to people, the joy and positive changes it brings to their lives, the impact is has on them and the society they live in. Their happiness comes back to me."