Last Chance to Be…

Two recurring questions at my last training course. In some ways I wish we could have agreed from the outset that both were complex and moved on. At the time I saw the weekend as having spent too much time on the semantics. On reflection, I realise the point of the weekend was not to think about definition but to understand the complexities. This took some doing for me, but I made it in the end.

The VSO trainers were great again, always giving something of themselves and that something is always fascinating.

As usual I was told by other Volunteers that I smile ‘a lot’, although nobody said ‘too much’ which made me smile some more . I recall during my VSO assessment day we had to draw a ‘ME TREE’ and the subject came up there too. I am not sure if she was speaking for VSO as a whole but one of the assessors did say to me ‘that’s ok Jonathan - we like smiley people.’

As a result of all this I just took a better picture of myself for the about section. I am too vein not to do some more post-processing but it’s better than the last one.

I now have three weeks before my final course which is actually three in one, covering Health, Disability and Skills for Working in Development. I am not entirely sure what to do with the time so if anybody needs a room decorating in return for food I am open to offers.

Oh, and I have a departure date, 26th November. A little later than I expected but more time to prepare and spend time drinking Fair Trade tea and coffee.

Coincidentally, that’s the name of the course I have just attended. I met some great people and some very wise words were said to me.

One of the other Volunteers pointed out that before starting any new job you always have feelings of doubt about your ability to perform. He is right and I can now put that little worry to rest.

Somebody equally sage made me question the realism of being too energetic and too enthusiastic too early. So I am going to tone down my crusade to save the world - at least until I get there :p.

Harborne Hall is a haven in the middle of Suburban Birmingham. I spent a lot of time reading while everyone else went to the pub. I felt like a swotty schoolboy but it was worth it as I read almost a whole book about the history of the region I am visiting. I still had time to make some great friends.

I also got some good ideas for raising some more money for VSO so I am going to have a dabble at them. On the subject of fund-raising - THANK YOU for the £270 raised so far. Amazing stuff.

Harborne Hall.

……….for getting this far, but it’s not over yet. Now I have convinced you to visit by whatever means, I really need you to read the rest of this site.

It’s official. I’m going to Ghana to teach IT to disabled children. There’s more information about the school in the Ghana section in the menu bar at the top of the page.

Between now and when I leave I want to try to raise as much money for VSO as possible. Information about how to donate and what your money is spent on is available here.

There are other ways to help me and you can read all about them here.

The main page (this one) will consist of journal entries and photos of my trip, the school and the people I meet. There is no Internet in Abor, so I hope to make the journey to somewhere connected at least once a fortnight to update the site.

The Story so far…..

After working in IT for the last six years or so I decided enough was enough. Enough whining that is, mainly by me, about the World’s problems. Realising that it wasn’t somebody else’s responsibility I decided to leave my job and go to work for VSO. After an interview in July and lots of decision making, job quitting, bill cancelling and wondering if it was the right thing to do, I accepted a position in Ghana in Mid August.

I have packed my entire life into two bags and then proceeded to buy another 2 bags worth of stuff to take with me. I am allowed to take one.

I am also the local pin-cushion. Ghana requires jabs for (inhale) Malaria, Yellow Fever, TB, Typhoid, Diphtheria, Hepatitis A and B, Blood Grouping, Polio, Tetanus, Rabies and Meningococcal Meningitis (exhale). I won’t mention the dentist fees or the whole ‘Malaria Malarkey’.

September and October are going to be full with courses and self-teaching to help me deal with climate, culture and disability among other things. I’m sure VSO will also ask me to fill out another 20 or so forms :p.

So let’s use that time to raise some cash - I’d like ro raise £500 before I leave in November.

My next update, in 10 days time, will be of more interest to people who are thinking about volunteering with VSO as I will be writing about the pre-departure residential training centre in Birmingham.