Volunteers come and go

Judith (Kenya)  and Angie (Philippines)

In VSO, volunteers can serve for 2 months, 6 months, one year or two years depending on the nature of work to be done.  Normally, two batches of new volunteers arrive each year.

Debs (UK)

Volunteers work with VSO partner organizations such as local governments,

Charles (Kenya)

hospitals, schools and they get their allowances either direct from the partners or from VSO.  Some volunteers arrive with their partners either as a co-volunteer or an accompanying partner (ie., no allowance).  Here in Uganda, some of the volunteers in my batch have completed or will be completing their service soon.

Raja (India)

It was indeed a privilege knowing and working with them.  They have touched my life too.

Doug and Sandra (UK)

It is Pius and me who will be the last to go in our batch in Gulu.  Meantime, he will be most welcome to the garlic in my kitchen and to do his occasional clothes pressing in my improvised ironing board.

                Pius (Kenya), in Maasai garb

for information about VSO volunteering, visit

vsointernational.org or vsobahaginan.org.ph

Reaching out

My favorite chief - smart and diligent

My work requires me to travel to the sub-counties (or barangays in the Philippine setting).  Our visits are not regular because sometimes there is no money for fuel or there is no fuel supply in the pumping stations.  On my first trip, I was in high spirits as I was looking forward to the Filipino style of hospitality where food is served first to guests before doing business. 

Sub-county chief and his accountant

Alas, in most sub-counties, the sub-county chief and/or the accountant were nowhere to be found despite prior notice.  We cover around 3 to 4 sub-counties a day and we sometimes end up not doing any business at all because there is nobody home.

Finance people at work

There are sub-counties with conscientious civil servants.  But sorry, there is no lunch or snacks.  In most places, there are no nearby corner stores (or sari-sari stores as we find them back home).

The seemingly endless roads we travel

I learned that the trick was to bring your own provisions and munch along the way.  When the stomach grumbles, drink soda and you will burp.  Who needs lunch?