There's no denying it, these bloggers are bound to make you jealous. Whether it's their guts, their energy or their tan you admire, overseas volunteers have got plenty to share with you about their remarkable work in fascinating countries. Read on to find out what you could be missing.

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Friday Jul 31, 2009

From YMCA to jammy lodgings

Hello!

I'm sorry for not updating recently. I think it's symptomatic of being back in your own country that things seem less exciting and worth talking about, even when, on reflection, you've done and been through a lot.

After 2 weeks of uncertainty in Ealing YMCA, we finally moved to our host community in King's Lynn. Still, I was one of 8 volunteers who still had no host home! After a week or so about 30 minutes out of King'sLynn in a travel lodge with my counterpart but no bus service, "The House" was finally found!

And it was lovely: a large, old, terraced house near the centre of town, with an enourmous kitchen, light spacious rooms, a patio and barbeque area and my own huge, fluffy double bed! It means so much to have a permanent house, and I relished the freedom to cook and choose my own food after so many weeks of being catered for.

Still, it was a house, not a home. In addition,the novelty of house-training 5 messy boys wears off surprisingly quickly! So, I was extremely happy when about two weeks ago I learnt that I finally had a proper host home! I'm now living with a single dad and firefighter, who is -in my view- undoubtedly the best host parent . My counterpart and I are also a little jammy with the location, since we are again in a lovely terraced house overlooking the park, on the same road as the volunteer house I lived in previously. Unlike the other volunteers, who are trapped in their villages by terrible public transport, 10 minutes walk takes me to the town centre, and 15 minutes gets me to my work placement. The satisfaction I've felt from having a home and a "family" of sorts made me reflect onthe homeless people we lived with in the YMCA, and I was really glad when we were able to do some fundraising for the local omeless shelter last week.

I was lucky enough to be given the volunteer placement I really wanted. I'm now working in  Development Education Centre called NEAD, and it is really great work. Before the summer holidays began, we were going into schools to help with a program aimed improving community cohesion by increasing children's understanding of and enthusiasm for other countries. Each class studied one country, with someone from that country. They tried cooking and eating the food, learnt traditional dances, learnt about the geography and lifestyel... as much as could be squeezedin, but always in a fun way. And on the alst daythey shared what they'd learnt on a "One World Day" that was just magical. The children were loads of fun, and the teachers all seemed worthy of knighthoods, if not sainthood (lots of religious schools!!!); it almost made me want to be a primary teacher.

Now It's really interesting learning about all the different cultural items, as it gives a real insight into the coutnries we'reworking on. It is hard to focus all day, but I'm seeing this as a learning opportunity as my sister tells me there'll be a lot of that at university (yipee...). I think this job is another one I'd seriously consider for the future, as combining development and education is right up my street!

Other things we've been involved in include a weekend break/ mid-phase review at the seaside, an upcoming African night at an eco "hideaway", fundraising on the street for the local homeless shelter, planning fundraising for the Malawian volunteers to use for community projects back home, making steps for the Queen's Sandringham estate (I hope Her Majesty doesn't trip on them, they're not very even...), and enjoying the king's Lynn music festival (S Club 3, Beverly night, and Britain's Got Talent "nearlies"!!!), probably as well as all manner of thing's I've tragically forgotten.

And now, true "veggy returned to the UK" fashion, I'm off to eat my lentil and spinach soup. Thanks for reading.

Posted by Sally ( 10:05 AM )
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