Boys on tour

This photo was taken in a bar in Bad Tolz by a German photo journalist and posted on their web site. We were on a trip to Munich and the mountains. Our planned trip didn't quite work out thanks to half a metre of fresh snow. So we never did get to the mountain huts we were heading for although leaving the key at a hotel was one snag, not having a plan another and climbing in the dark and in waist deep snow could have been dangerous. We eventually went on a trip to 'Hitlers nest' unfortunately it was closed. Boys on tour!

Jobs to be done

Wallpapering in the North East of England at the moment. Not that exciting really but a job my Dad needed doing. Emptied the loft and then found it had been lagged around the boxes, so had to lag the loft, nice job that is!

I put my Dad on MSN and got him a web cam so we can keep in touch, he's 83 hope I'm as alert at 83 and no that isn't soon.

I can't seem to get the links bit sorted, soz Lucy, put you on but it doesn't show, will try again. Ciara left today, if you read this hope you had a good flight and you find a welcome like Lucy's.

Hope this turns out to be a regular view, especially from my hammock on the verandah with a beer in my hand. :-)

Medical and other stuff

Since being offered and accepting the position in Sri Lanka I have had to have a full medical with my own doctor.

I have brought all my vaccinations up to date and had additional ones as recommended by VSO for Sri Lanka. I will also be getting anti-malarials for my stay.

I have had a dentist check up and report.

I have checked with volunteers in and from Sri Lanka to determine what I need to take.

There is a lot to do as I plan to be away for 2 years.

For new volunteers, a laptop is a must take and you need to get your friends and family up to speed with MSN, Skype or other internet chat facilities. I did find texting was cheap from Sri Lanka, but you need to have the internet option, also remember you will probably only have dial upinternet, which will be slow and unreliable.

I took my own phone which was unlocked so I could use a local sim card, you will need to take an unlocked phone or purchase one in country. Use a local sim rather than a UK one.

VSO Training

I attended VSO Training Skills (TRSK) 7^th -10^th December 2005 at Harbourne Hall.

This course explores all aspects of the training cycle and gives time for practise with fellow volunteers and some returned volunteers.

I attended Organisational Development 11^th -13^th December 2005, this followed straight on from TRSK.

This course helps with capacity building and development issues.

I totally enjoyed both courses and found the content interesting and of use, as ever with training you probably won't need everything you learn, but it does help get you ready.

I believe a lot of this training is now done on line via the VSO website

VSO Training

I attended a Skills for Working in Development (SKWID) course from 21^st to 25^th November 2005, this helps you develop good skills in facilitating participation especially with disadvantaged people.

The topics are:

VSO’s approach to development

Effective communication and building relationships

Different roles a volunteer can play as a facilitator for change

Participation and project planning

Introduction to participatory methods and tools

Practising facilitation

Monitoring and evaluation

Networking, Negotiations, Conflict and Corruption

Attached to the SKWID course is a Health and Security course lasting about 4 hours which is mandatory. I found both courses good and useful, you collect lots of information which you can use in placement.

A lot of information can be accessed on the VSO web site so you can download pdf files rather than carry lots of paper with you when you go overseas.

VSO Motorcycle training

I did a weeks competency assessment with MOTAG to ensure I was safe to ride a motorbike as my placement in Sri Lanka required use of a motorbike. I haven't ridden a bike since I was a teenager but got on well. I started on a 250cc but once the instructor decided I was safe he put me on a 500cc which was a much easier ride.

This is the wrong time of year to be on a bike, you get cold in half an hour and end up in a cafe trying to get warm again.

Placement Offer with VSO

After being given a placement manager, who tries to match you with a post. I have been offered a placement in Trincomalee, Sri Lanka so am contacting returned volunteers and those still in country by email to find out about Sri Lanka.

The VSO process has changed since I volunteered so the placement process may not be the same.

VSO Training

After being accepted by VSO as a volunteer, I got to know in a week or two after assessment. I attended a weekend course at Harbourne Hall in Birmingham, from Friday to Sunday, taking part in Preparing for Change and Volunteers and Development during September 2005, I believe some of the training is now done on line.

These were both very good courses intended to prepare you for the volunteer experience. A great time to meet other volunteers too. I am still in touch with the friends I made then.

Details of volunteer training are available on the VSO website.

VSO the start

I started the VSO process in April 2005 I filled out the paperwork and attended an assessment day in June 2005. The assessment day when I did it was held in the VSO offices in Putney, London. I was part of a group of about 20 people, we were split into two smaller groups and did the usual group thing of introducing ourselves. We then did a couple of group teamwork exercises. There is nothing to worry about at the assessment, it is not about winning or losing, success or failure, more about people skills.

After the group exercises I had a one to one with a returned volunteer, who went through the reality of volunteering to both inform and check that I understood about living away from home and family and the developing world. It is not like being on holiday. Again there is nothing to worry about, but you do need to do your research and think through what being away from home for up to two years can mean.