…that’s the noise I have heard every morning at 5am for the last eight months, until yesterday. The reason I didn’t hear it is because I have resigned from my job, from VSO and from Ghana. I am home. Gulp.
The reasons are numerous and soon, when I have a chance, I will write the hidden story of the last eight months. Briefly, lack of support from VSO, an inaccurate description of my placement and an unwillingness to make a real difference on the part of my employers were contributing factors. Perhaps I just couldn’t hack it am blaming those things.
Leaving broke my heart and those of seven students who cried for three days when I told them. They clubbed together and bought me some soap as a leaving present.
This post is dedicated to them.
and here they are, from the left, Ebenezer, Nicholas, Jessica, Enyonam, Suzzie, Patricia and Prince. They are putting on a brave face after the announcement of my departure.
They had very little before I arrived and they have very little now. I hope, however, that they have more self-belief, motivation and ambition now, than they did a year ago.
Nicholas was a friend of mine and, as you might expect, given his condition, he has a few more needs than your average student. His day to day needs, such as toilet, washing etc, were inadequately taken care of by a boy with a learning disability because the school has absolutely no facility or expertise for dealing with people with disabilities.
He frequently had minor ailments and aches and pains which were dealt with in such an incompetent way I became exasperated. Once he was given a used lip balm and told to wipe it on his head to help with malaria.
This is just one example of the way my employer dealt with the students and although I tried, I was unable to influence them in any meaningful way.
What may surprise you, however, is that the school was owned and run by rich, white Europeans, presumably hoping to book themselves a place in heaven. Eventually I couldn’t stand it any longer.
So here I am back in Britain. I have no house, no job and no money. Ah well, at least I might have time to fill in the gaps on this site. If anybody would like to give me a job, that would be nice.
Finally, thank you thank you thank you to everybody who sent me stuff, messages and IT Kit. Whatever it was I achieved, you all helped me do it.
PS Dear Vanessa, I lost your email and never got a chance to say thank you personally! 
BY EMAIL 
or RSS feed 
Welcome home jb,
I have no doubt a man of your abilities you will have people queuing to give you a job.
Speak to soon!
Hopefully over a beer or two.
Rob
Hi Jon,
Sorry to hear you’ve had to call it a day in Ghana. It sounded very tough for you indeed… and I’m sure anyone intelligent has been reading between the lines on your blog… about the level of support, constraints etc. I think that future employers will look positively on your initiative and guts to go to Ghana. All the very best for your job hunt… I hope you find that this cloud has a silver lining for you…
Jon!!!! We need an admin to help out, drop in your cv - i’ll pass it on.
I’m really proud of you even if you have stopped, it isn’t about how long you do something for but the taking part and the amount of work you put in was great.
Well done mate.
Drop me an email - your phone number etc we’ll chat.
sloop…
u know fk it…..you did what you because you felt it was the right thing to do.
so dont blame anything…. what happened happened..i am so proud of you…havent seen u for years but ur still one of my besties..
stew
Hey John,
As a fellow VSOer (or should I say ex?) and as Fiona’s flatmate here in Zambia, just wanted to pass on some moral support.
I’ve not read any of your blog, Fiona was very moved by your last entry and let me ready it. Support you all the way on your decision to do a VSO placement, your efforts to assist those who need it while in Ghana and knowing when to say enough is enough. Took me 5 months to quit my first placement here, thankfully VSO Zambia were very supportive of my move and now I’m very happy learning to be a farm manager - huge step from my ‘proper’ job in Tourism Marketing!
Anyway, hope your experience has not put you off doing what your heart tells you to do and that when the dust has settled, you will move in the right direction.
Fiona says to come to Zambia!
Take care and take time to breath.
All the best,
Anita
John,
I am so sad that you have quit but it is the right decision. Your last post foreshadowed your unhappiness. My daughter was in Africa volunteering and she had some great times and some lousy times. The family whose school she taught in expected her to buy food at restaurants and gifts on a daily basis. They cut off her food twice and her water down to nothing as well. The organization she volunteered through did not help much.
I think any employer would be nuts to pass up a passionate energetic employee such as yourself. Given what you have done with little or no support, think of what you can do with support!
I would like to hear more of the behind the scenes stories. I think some of these placement organizations are not helping the situation in Africa much.
I wish you well. If you ever come to Vancouver, look me up, first couple of beer on me.
Cheers,
Shane
Certain you made a real difference while you were there Jon … and, with the experiences you have now, most important thing is you can continue to do so.
As the big man says, really proud of you, don’t be hard on yourself!
Smalls
Sorry to hear you had to leave mate, but glad to hear youre back, and in one piece.
Drop us a line when you get a chance, i can always have a chat with JW about an engineers role. Things have changed a bit around here.
Be good to chat again. Bet youve got some wonderful stories to tell.
G
Jon
have been following your site for the last few months and I think it is marvellous what you have tried to do out there. You have made a difference I am sure.
I wish you all the best in your job quest, which I am sure will soon be over. Whoever gets you will be very lucky.
Best of luck for the future Jon
xx
Zeena
So proud of you nobbie you did really well under very tough conditions. Always have a spare room for you.
I can feel the love on this site!
Big Sis X
JB, you inspire me.
When I´m back in the UK we will meet up.
#clanWILD
Wow thank you for all your messages. I have decided to have a holiday and worry about stuff when I get back.
See you soon.