How To Run Away From Home

In the run-up to Rwanda a few friends (at least a couple of whom I know will be reading this) have expressed envy at my impending travels and have said they think it's a dead good idea.

Well, says I, you should try it for yourself!

So, as one of the final posts to be written in England, I shall devote it to explaining how to join VSO and go off to faraway lands so those who fancy it, either now or in a couple of years, can give it a go :)

VSO work in around 34 countries around the world, so you don't have to come to Africa - there's also India, China, Mongolia, Vietnam and a few others, all listed HERE.

Where you get to go may also depend on your skills, as each country has a quota of skilled workers and a strategy plan to work towards. It may not always be possible to get your first choice. You may also be spoiled for choice if your skills are in demand.

VSO run a couple of schemes for exchange students and young people (Youth for Development) which you might like to look at if you're aged between 18-25, they also have offices based in other countries such as Canada and Kenya. I'm going to explain the route for adult, British citizens  - including Ireland, who do have their own office but send everyone to England for training. Contact details for offices HERE.

[NB 2013: Some of VSO's schemes have changed since I've been away. I think Youth for Development has been amalgamated into the main body of their volunteeringprogramme. However, if you are aged 18-25 check out THIS SECTION.]

The age range for adult volunteers is around 20-75 and the average age of a VSO volunteers is currently 40. A standard volunteer will go on a two-year placement, however there are opportunities to do short-term placements which may be between three months to a year. VSO take professional volunteers across a wide range of skills: Agriculture/Farming, Doctors/Nurses/Health Workers, Drama Specialists, Journalists, Social Workers, Engineers, Carpenters/Craft Workers, Project Managers, Youth Workers... if you work in a skilled area and have professional qualifications or enough experience, you may well find they have something for you. Even if you're not sure whether you qualify, you have nothing to lose by applying and finding out :)

The way to do this is to take the first step and apply online. You can write to them for an application/information pack, but this is perhaps the fastest and easiest way.

From this, they will assess your professional skills and whether or not you have the type of knowledge and experience that would suite a VSO placement. If your application is accepted, you will then be invited to an interview in London.

The application form is purely to assess your professional suitability. The interview is more about your psyche and how you work with others. It lasts a full day and involves one 45-60 minute one-on-one interview and a number of teamwork and decision-making exercises. Group size can vary from small (five in my case) to quite large (eight to twelve). You can claim travel expenses for the interview if you need them. You will also need to fill out a CRB disclosure form as all VSO volunteers have to have a criminal records check. 

I blogged about my experience HERE. I won't pretend it's not a slightly daunting experience, but it can also be quite good fun. Just try and stay relaxed and be yourself, you need to know it's right for you as much as they need to know you're right for them. Out of the five people (including one couple and myself) at my interview, I have since met all but one at subsequent training events, so I know the majority of us made it :) They aren't looking for a saint, they're just looking for down-to-earth people.

About a week or two later you should get the decision. If you're successful it then depends on the need for your skills as to when you'll be leaving. I went through very quickly, and would have left three months after the interview if I hadn't had my MA to finish. This is because few people with sign language skills apply, and there's quite a few projects that require it. The average time can be anywhere between about 5-18 months. Five seems quite standard, 18 for people who have skills that are harder to find placements for. Some people also decline placement offers because they don't feel suited to them, this can also lengthen departure time.

Essentially, once you've passed the interview you're in the system and it should only be a matter of time before you're off - subject to a medical test and dental check-up. They give you the paperwork and you just book in with your local GP and dentist. Medical problems don't always mean you won't be going, so long as they are manageable, but some people find their departure can be delayed if something is found to be wrong. Someone I was on training with discovered at their medical that they had developed high blood pressure and had to get it stabilised before they could go, which caused a delay.

The next thing that you will need to do is to start getting your injections. You will be given a list of which to get, and you will need to organise having them done. Some, such as Yellow Fever, you may need to travel to a specialist clinic for. Others, like Rabies and Hepatitis B, you need three shots for and will need to start well in advance of leaving in order to get them all in. Most are free on the NHS but some, like Yellow Fever, Rabies and the oral Cholera vaccine, are not. In which case you keep all receipts and send them to the VSO medical unit, who will reimburse you straight to your bank account pretty quickly. Some countries, but not many, also insist on an HIV test. If you are going to a malaria-infected country you will also have to stock up on anti-malarials before you go, but VSO provide you with plenty of information as I'll explain.

Before you can leave on an assignment, you have to attend two compulsory training courses and may choose to do an optional one. All training is residential and currently conducted at Harborne Hall in Birmingham. It's quite a humbling thing to know that all British VSO volunteers pass through those doors at some point during pre-departure.

One thing VSO is very good at is training, and it's delivered by former, qualified, volunteers. The two that you will be required to go on are:

P2V (Preparing to Volunteer): This is a course that people go on even before they have a placement. When I went it was a pretty even mix of people who knew where they were going and those that didn't yet have a match. P2V is a three-day residential course that explores a number of issues which I discuss in the post above. It's a good preparatory introduction, and some people may even decide at that point that it's not for them. You should also get given a copy of the Traveller's Good Health Guide.

SKWID (Skills for Working in Development): is the second compulsory course you go on once you have your placement. It's a five-day one that explores many of the issues touched on in P2V in much more detail, and also includes a lot of help on how to facilitate learning and training within the workplace. Again, you get given a brilliant book, this one is the bible of training theory and practice with loads of ideas for development sessions. You are expected to deliver two brief training sessions during the week, but you receive tons of preparation and support. The course also includes a half-day Health & Safety workshop, which discusses questions and fears surrounding your placement as well as common problems like water safety, malaria etc.

In addition to these two, you may be offered other training courses such as the one I took on Training Skills.

Once your compulsory training is complete and you have medical clearance, you're all ready to go. VSO take care of your documentation, but at some point you will probably be asked to get parts photocopied and notarised, which you can do at a solicitor's.

The reason for going with VSO is basically the whole package. Many volunteering schemes will expect you to pay most of your way, including accommodation, food and flights. One of the problems with such schemes is that a number of them (though not all) are being run as tourism ventures. Sometimes the houses you are going out to build, in less discerning cases, have not been requested by local people but are being built simply to take money off Western tourists for the company running the initiative.

There are several big advantages to going with VSO. Firstly, their reputation is well established and respected, they work with governments and NGOs in countries to develop sustainable development goals - so you know the work you're doing is actually needed. Volunteers have access to an online database of information and resources, and VSO place huge importance on training (both pre-departure and in-country) as well as de-briefing on return. Financially, it's sustainable, as you earn a wage (equal to your colleagues in-country) and can claim both a pre-departure and arrival grant for buying equipment, covering expenses, and setting up your new home. There is also a re-settlement grant when you return to the UK, if you need it, similar to job-seekers allowance, dependent on your length of service. They also cover your National Insurance contributions whilst you are out of the country.

[NB 2013: Around the time I left VSO, the resettlement grant had been incorporated into monthly allowances, so check this when you join.]

In addition, they provide you with health and safety training before you go, a medical kit on arrival, and cover you for hospital treatment and repatriation if it comes to that. You also know that if political unrest should occur in the country that you go to, they will pull you out of there safely and efficiently.

For me, the big pull was sustainability and safety. I considered other forms of travel, such as a pay-your-way charity, and also TEFL. The first was impractical because I am already broke after my MA. The second did not make full use of the skills I have to offer. Both offered little in the way of training, medical, or personal safety. So far my experience with VSO has been incredibly positive, so we'll see where it goes from here. I'll keep you posted :)

Goodbye :(

Drove back to Gloucester yesterday morning. My friends Suki and Pete (right) came up from Cardiff, and Cassie & Sean from London, for a goodbye drink.

We started in Café René with a meal and plenty of wine, and a very cool ceiling of bottles! 

Then we moved on to the New Inn until closing, by which time everyone was rather tipsy! 

I felt so sad when they'd all left. Suddenly all seems a bit real! But Cas & Sean have given me an envelope to open on the plane, which is brilliant because I think I'm going to need something to focus on.

Less than a week to go now! This time next week I'll be waking up in Rwanda.

Cassie & Sean

Trick or Treat

Had a brilliant night last night. I've been staying at Mum's for a couple of nights, dropping off some boxes and saying my goodbyes. Baby Damian (my nephew) has been here, and my brother Will briefly passed through with his new girlfriend, Louisa.

Last night was a Halloween party up at our local, The Ward Arms. Mum and I dressed up as witches, and Merrick went as a wizard. 

There were some fantastic costumes: Nobby (the Landlord) went as Shrek:

Kate (the Landlady) was a pumpkin:

There was a demon barmaid, a witch and her cat, Darth Vader, the Brides of Death:

Plus a very cool zombie, Kenny, who won the fancy-dress comp. He made the peeling skin himself from flour, water, gelatine and a little latex, apparently. Very effective, if a little itchy.

It was a really good night. Nobby is turning the back of the pub into a micro-brewery. He's been brewing for many years - very talented. He's got a new pump label called 'Witches Three,' with a picture of the Guilsborough Witches on the sow. I've dropped off a few books from my collection for safekeeping as Nobby and Kate were interested in the mythology of the village. 


There's a few things been written about the witches. I have an 1866 copy of the tract relating to the Witches of Northamptonshire. Quite proud of that one. Another really good source is Witchcraft and Demonianism by C. L'Estrange Ewen, which documents witchcraft trials all across Britain. You can look up surnames in the index and see who was involved. It has some really rare information on the Guilsborough Witches, well worth perusing. 

I also lent them Witchcraft in England, 1558-1618 by Barbara Rosen, and The Records of Guilsborough, Nortoft and Hollowell, written by the Renton sisters and re-published for the millennium (available at the village Post Office for about £12). Both of those talk about the witches but mostly just repeat a condensed version of the tracts. It's interesting stuff, and the Renton sisters are partly responsible for a tapestry in the Village Hall of the witches.

Anyway, the beer that came out of that tap was green :) Certainly an interesting brew :oS There were also some highly amusing pub games, including one where contestants had to wrap their partners in bog roll from head-to-toe to look like mummies!

Shall miss the Ward Arms, my friend Jim, and, of course, my family. Ho-hum, s'pose I'd better hurry up and learn how to use Skype ;)

Caves

When talking about Mallorca, I somehow completely forgot to mention the caves!

We went to Cuevas Dels Hams, one of the numerous Mallorcan caves said to have inspired Jules Verne's Journey to the Centre of the Earth! Full-on multi-media extravaganza, and a very unusual rendition of Mozart by a trio of musicians on a gondola floating out across the underground lake!

Was truly a sight to behold. I'd recommend them to anyone, which leads neatly onto my next wee promotion, which is to encourage all those within drivable distance (and especially those with children) to get over to Clearwell Caves in the Forest of Dean for what will undoubtedly be a spectacular festive display. I'm bummed I'll miss it this year. It's one of my favourite places on the planet. They turn the whole place into a walk-through fairytale, 'tis beautiful :)

If you're interested in big caves, real heart-of-the-earth stuff, check out this link and run the video clip at the bottom. It's Titan, Britain’s largest cave. Seriously impressive.

Haunted Harborne

Well, that may be the last of the training over, but the memories of Harborne will always haunt me. Especially after looking through the photographs I took of the place :op

It's certainly got an interesting vibe, as have a number of other places that have led to strange and unusual photographs (or 'tricks of the light' as some might prefer ;) ). For instance, about eleven years ago, I went on a family holiday with my dad and aunt to Crete. We took a tour out to Spinalonga, an island formerly used as a leper colony where people were sent to die. A dry well was used as a mass grave, but the villagers themselves often lived for many years, building shops and trading with the mainland. Much of it had crumbled away, but enough remained to understand that you were walking through a village Even my dad admitted there was a definite presence about the place.

What I didn't know until recently though, was that something very odd happened to my aunt's camera whilst we were there. When she went to get it developed, all of the photographs from before the island, and all of the photographs after the island, came out fine. But not one single photograph from the island itself. They were all just blank. Dad corroborated this story. It was perhaps surprising how unsurprising that was - the place really was quite 'interesting'.

When I started discussing such things I started meeting other people with stories to tell. For instance, a professional photographer called Leigh came up with this picture taken at Nine Ladies, which he swears blind is not doctored. He felt that he had an interaction with the genius loci:

In addition to this, another bloke took this one of a bluebell wood in Wales:

Close up:

Both those and the following were taken with digital cameras. Personally, I find fascinating because you'd imagine less room for error. Err...even though it relies on hundreds of minute electronic connections all ticking over smoothly :op Although, I suppose the influence from electro-magnetic fault lines could be greater than celluloid?

The photo I took was snapped on 8th September 2007 at Harborne Hall in Birmingham, whilst on a Training Skills workshop. It's fair to say that I didn't sleep well, tossing and turning most of the night. From what I've heard, that's common for many people there. The following anomaly occurred only on this photograph. None of the other photos are odd:

I ran it past a friend who played with it in Paintshop Pro and affirmed it wasn't internal on the camera. She dimmed it down a bit so that you can see more clearly:

There's a really big one, bottom-right of the window, and one under the bed :op She also found this link which suggests they're just dust particles caught in the light... Love to hear from anyone who has taken similar snaps of weird and wonderful things. Feel free to post a link in the comments.

Bourton-on-the-Water

Went to Bourton-on-the-Water with Dad and M today. Sill quite busy despite the chill in the air. It’s a beautiful village with the river Windrush flowing through it (well, more of a stream) and lots of quaint little shops like Christmas Corner and Small Talk’s café. They have a wonderful sweet shop there called Sweet Memory’s which has jars of every kind of sweet you can image. I treated myself to a selection including red liquorice, candy cigarettes, and a walnut whip. It reminded me of one at Woodman Point in West Australia, a 'traditional English sweet shop' called English Candy... yuuuurs ;)

Ended with tea cakes and a pot of Earl Grey - very English. I’m trying to soak up the last of everything quintessentially rural in the next two weeks. It’s my favourite time of the year, autumn, so I’m going to miss it. I like the dark nights, frosted lawns and sharp blue skies. Don’t think I’ll be seeing much of this in Rwanda, hey-ho.

[NB 2013: Just in case you didn't get that - 'Candy' is an American word. In the UK we say 'Sweets'. You'd never see a traditional English Candy Shop. Then again, Australia is a heady mix of British and American influences. Perhaps that was the point?]

Harborne Hall III

L-R: Martyn (trainer), Carmel, me, Kathryn, Bernie (trainer),
Vicky, Mike, Petula, Anil, Julie, Pam, Bruce, Helen, Hazel, Pete,
Marianna (trainer), Rosa.

And thus we come to the third and final instalment of Harborne Hall, pre-departure. It began with a Training Skills workshop back at the beginning of September, then P2V (Preparing to Volunteer) three weeks ago, now the final, but longest, instalment.

There were a lot of familiar faces this time around, both from Training Skills (Rosa & Martyn), and P2V (Pete, Kathryn & Petula). There was also Mike, who was at my original interview. So, I know now that, including Tom, everyone at that interview - except one - definately made it through. Apparently, VSO reject more than they take. We must have been an exceptionally bright and talented lot ;)

I was back in The Retreat, in the room right next to the one I was in last time (#30), which was phenomenally useful as it was a single and my initial problems with Larium/Mefloquine rocketed off the scale. Emotionally, I felt fine, but it was taking me between 1-2 hours to get to sleep. Then, between 4:40 and 4:45 sharp, every single morning, I’d wake up and be unable to get back to sleep again. Ended up downstairs in the TV room by 6am. I decided against taking my second dose - sleep is one thing I really do need. I’m going to start Doxy just before I go out.

Still, I managed to stay awake for most of it, and it was a brilliant course. The others were three days whereas this was five, but the pace was nice. Not as crammed/hectic as the shorter ones, but we were all pretty shattered by the end - which is when we had our Health & Safety briefing.

This course was called SKWID (Skills for Working in Development) and expanded on many of the themes touched upon in P2V, including VSO’s approach to development, key strategy focuses, as well as teaching very useful skills including facilitation, negotiation, and dealing with corruption.

Again, it was a pretty large group of around 12 people, plus some visiting observers from Slovakia. There was good energy, and the last half of the course was a lot like Training Skills in that we were asked to lead two short sessions within small groups. However, rather than 'training', the emphasis was on 'facilitation'. A slightly ambiguous distinction. What is good training if not the facilitation of learning? But, by nature, facilitation skills are more ‘hands-off’ than training ones. We did get issued with an absolutely fantastic book which contains tons of practical training tools for use in many different situations. It will be invaluable when planning future training in my job.

I really enjoyed the training sessions.They were our chance to try out some of these tools and build a bit of confidence. Gave me a chance to get back to my Theatre in Education roots, too.

On the last night, we went to a local pub, where much wine was consumed by an open fire. Some pretty in-depth conversations were had about the meaning of life, the after-life, and the nature of the soul with one of the guys on the course. Similarly, over breakfast, conversations were had with another guy regarding Buddhism, Chogyam Trumpa, and a number of other subjects on which much metta was exchanged. I overheard a number of other deep and profound conversations occurring during the week. Guess Harborne brings it out in people :oS

There’s also a nice little private garden in the grounds of the hall, with a gumtree/eucalyptus in it which grows at such an angle that you can stand with your back to it, legs either side, and rest your entire weight against the trunk. It’s a wonderful place just to relax and watch the clouds go by. I think more and more that I’ve been craving a bit of this quiet space. It’s lovely to see all your friends and family, but once you’re without a home of your own and that private sanctuary - that bubble of personal space - it can get a bit tough. With so little time left before I fly, it’s natural that everyone wants to get together and do things, but all I feel like doing is chilling out on my own for five minutes. A few people said the same, but Harborne Hall isn’t the place to do it either with everyone working together, eating together, and socialising together.

Anyway, that’s the last of my trips to Harborne. All pre-departure training complete... that’s weird. I did have a couple of ‘reality moments’ today where everything suddenly seemed real but, as Mike said, they soon pass.

Still, got quite a bit of prep to do. Off to Mum’s this week to drop off some boxes and see everyone. Some of the Cardiff posse may be up for a pub crawl in Gloucester next weekend, a second leaving do :) Do miss them.

I shall sign off now as I’m a wee bit more than shattered. So, without further ado...

WAAAAAAAAAAAA

Mefloquine and Trees

Started trialing the antimalarial prophylactic Mefloquine on Wednesday. It’s my favoured option because you only have to take it weekly. However, amongst the listed side effects are: crazy dreams, hallucinations, depression, seizures and suicide! Good stuff lol

If you’re going to react badly, apparently it usually happens within the first three doses. I’ve got just enough time to get those in and change to doxy, if I need to, before I leave.

So far it hasn’t been too bad. Psychologically I’m sound, but I have been finding it really hard to get to sleep, and waking up at random times with crazy dreams. I don’t mind the dreams, though. I love dreaming, so bring it on. But I feel like I could do with a bit more sleep. Also, occasional hot flushes, but they seem to be minor and rare. Hopefully this will subside as I get used to taking it. If not, I’ll consider changing to the daily doxy.

On Saturday I went to Bristol to do a final dread job for the girlfriend of the guy whose natural dreads I separated out back in June. Was a long day, but they did look good at the end.

This meant I was a bit shattered Sunday, so had a chilled-out morning then went to Westonbirt Arboretum with Dad and M in the afternoon. Was really busy, lots of people going to see the colours changing on the trees, but was very pretty.

After that, we went to Tetbury a couple of miles up the road for tea, then looked around their church, which has some spectacular stained glass windows and stone carvings. One of a man found under the church dated c.1211!

Another pretty interrupted night’s sleep last night. Just getting ready to head off back to Harborne Hall for my final round of training: SKWID (Skills for Working in Development) and a Health & Safety workshop. Should be back late Friday or early Saturday. Not totally thrilled at going back feeling this tired, as they’re long days, but it’s the last push and should be useful and more specific to my placement.

Shop 'til You Drop

Phew. Just got back from Matalan, where I spent just under £100 on clothes and luggage. I have finally bought my wheelie case to put everything in. It feels weird. I had a bit of a 'moment' at the check-out where suddenly it all seemed real. Then I shook my head and it went away again :op

Yesterday, I got through almost £200 of my pre-departure grant on insect repellent, a mosquito net, water purifiers, medications: for eyes, feet, things for allergies, colds, things to stop you pooping too much, things to help if you're not pooping enough, things for teeth, things for face, things for hair etc.

It hasn't been quit as expensive as I'd anticipated, and I even got a student discount in the camping shop - huzah! Still, have more than enough of my grant to finish the clothes shopping, plus a few other bits and pieces like a vegetable peeler and a plug adaptor. Dad bought me a new laptop as a going away present! Rather generous. I now need to take a closer look at insurance options.

It's quite good fun shopping when you know that you have to spend the money, and when it isn't yours, and when you have a whole day to brows around. I'm glad I've got the case now, because I can only put in it as much as will fit, so it stops me going too crazy and buying unnecessary things. It's a little hard finding good summer wear at the moment, as it's now autumn and all the shops are stocking up on big woolly jumpers - not great attire for Sub-Saharan Africa :o}

Majorca

Got back from Majorca/Mallorca yesterday. Went for a family holiday with Dad, M and Aunty Jean.

We left really early Sunday morning, were up by 5am and on the road to Bristol airport to catch our EasyJet flight to Palma, the capital of Majorca, where we hired a car and drove on to Port de Pollença. We were staying at the Leo Apartments. The apartment was beautiful, right next to two swimming pools and an easy walk to the shops, restaurants and beach. And what a beach!

The day after we arrived, we headed out to Formentor. There's an amazing lookout point there, where you can see sea and sky for as far as you can look:

We also went for a look around a couple of other towns, including a rocky mountain road with some serious hairpin bends through Escorca to Sóller, where we took a tram down to the beach and had tea. We also visited Alcúdia, which was very picturesque.

Rocky Road

Tram

There was also a funny moment when we encountered a beach at S'illot and took a picture of Aunty Jean there because, as kids, Dad and Jean spent many a holiday at Silloth, which was markedly colder and wetter. The beach at S'illot was lovely though, and we had a dip and a bite to eat.

We also spent time at the local beach, Port de Pollença, and Pollença itself. Apparently, after the island was invaded a number of times, the towns themselves were moved back inland from the ports, which is why you get Pollença Port a few miles away from Pollença itself.

At Pollença, Dad and I climbed 365 steps up to a small hilltop chapel.

On the final day we took it a bit quieter and went down to the beach for a swim amongst the fishes - absolutely beautiful shoals of tropical fish in the warm sea.

Had a wonderful time. It was weird thinking, as we came back in to land in Britain, that this would be the last time I'd fly into home for a while, and probably the last time I'd swim in the sea for a bit as Rwanda is landlocked. Although, it is supposed to have some spectacular inland beached along Lake Kivu. 

Less than a month to go now! :op

Majorca Sunset

After touch-down we came back via Clevedon for a walk along the pier and ice cream.

Clevedon