PHOTOS: Harbourne Hall (Birmingham) where I did my training and my P2V course buddies.
Here is a quick review of my time so far:
After a short time to adjust to life back in the UK, I started thinking about what I wanted to do next - of course I had given it some thought while I was away. Anyway decided that my ideal would be to go abroad again but to spend time in one place, doing some worthwhile work and learning about another culture. Spent a long time looking into various options and finally decided VSO (Voluntary Services Overseas) looked like a really exciting prospect, offering everything i was looking for. Have a look for yourself http://www.vso.org.uk/.
Of course I dithered a while longer and finally applied for VSO in September, attended an assessment day and was interviewed at the end of October, got accepted 2 weeks later and had my offer of a placement in December. Actually, I had 2 placement offers. The first was for New Delhi and the 2nd was for Nepal. Originally I had a leaning towards a placement in Africa, as I have never been and have always wanted to go. But, fate has been good to me so I was open to any placements that I was offered. I decided that New Delhi was not the place for me - not for 2 years anyway (too big and crowded) and am very excited to be going to Nepal (another place I have always wanted to go) and so I will be going to work as an Organisational Development Advisor for 2 years and 2 months!!!!!!
VSO have a set process that you go through once you have been accepted and this includes training courses (pre-departure) as well as access to lots of online resources to brush up on the country you are going to and the skills you will need to do your work.
VSO have a set process that you go through once you have been accepted and this includes training courses (pre-departure) as well as access to lots of online resources to brush up on the country you are going to and the skills you will need to do your work.
The first course (Preparing to Volunteer) was in Mid-December. This was an opportunity to consider some of this issues around developing countries and aid, trade & debt (past and present situations). Also looking at disadvantaged people and HIV and AIDS and finally some sessions on the personal issues around working as a volunteer overseas. The best part for me though was getting together with a group of people that had the same ideas and goals as me - I know a lot of you (especially at home) think I am crazy (well maybe I am a little!!).
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