WEST Devon and Torridge MP Geoffrey Cox was given a first-hand account of the work of the Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) organisation at an exhibition in the house of Commons this month.

Mr Cox met VSO volunteers Rupert and Annie Gude from Tavistock at the exhibition. They showed the MP a photo taken while volunteering in Tanzania and spoke about the real difference British aid spending has made in developing countries.

Rupert's photograph was on display at the 'Portraits of Progress' exhibition, organised by the charities Restless Development and VSO, in Parliament alongside other volunteer photos from across the globe.

Rupert and Annie stressed the value of providing support for existing medical services to improve the standard of health care.

Rupert said: 'We could see an improvement in the lives of people with HIV, especially the children and their mothers. Our support and training helped to make the clinic a beacon in the area.

'When we returned on a visit two years later we were delighted to find the hospital had gone from strength to strength.

'Well targeted foreign aid can make a real difference to the lives of millions and support for teaching and training health professionals was very effective.'

Geoffrey Cox was in admiration for the work of volunteers and told them that the Government was committed to maintaining the present spending on foreign aid.

UK aid spending has contributed to amazing results around the world.

HIV and AIDS is no longer a death sentence, a girl born in sub-Saharan Africa today will live 16 years longer than if she was born in 1960, and many countries who used to receive aid now no longer need it and actually donate to other countries.

Rupert said: 'We live in an age when more progress has been made than at any other time in history, and I think it's time we recognised that.'

The percentage of people living in extreme poverty — less than £1 a day — has halved since 1990, and great strides have been made towards increased quality of education, healthcare, employment, governance, and security for people living in developing countries.

'Portraits of Progress' is a real celebration of the commitment from both VSO and Restless Development volunteers to stop the myth that nothing ever changes in international development.

VSO brings people together to fight poverty through the lasting power of volunteering. It works alongside communities worldwide to create positive change.

Its programmes are in some of the world's poorest countries, reaching millions of people through improved access to services in education, health, HIV/AIDS, disability, and governance. VSO's vision is of a world without poverty, which can only be achieved by working together.

For more information see the website http://www.vso.org.uk">www.vso.org.uk

Restless Development is a charity whose mission is to place young people at the forefront of change and development.

Half the world is under 25. In the world's 60 poorest countries, the average percentage of the population under 25 is 60%. The charity believes that young people are capable of helping to solve the world's biggest problems.