tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-127930922011-11-27T05:23:44.964+02:00Keep in touch with us while we are working on behalf of <a href="http://www.vso.org.uk">VSO</a> as Advisory Teachers in Namibia. <br><br> <a href="http://www.vso.org.uk/giving/">Support VSO</a>Aileen &amp; Fearghalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15143294309385473333noreply@blogger.comBlogger471100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12793092.post-1159280694001282022006-09-26T16:03:00.000+02:002006-09-26T16:24:54.113+02:00

So, here it is. The end of our year in Namibia.As we decided way back in May that we'd only do a year instead of two, it has always seemed as though we had ages left before we leave. But, as ever with these things, it has snuck up and surprised us.Although we're still very much looking forward to going home, we're actually kinda sad about leaving. This is mainly due to the dramatic improvement in

Aileen &amp; Fearghalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15143294309385473333noreply@blogger.com93tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12793092.post-1158503857012381662006-09-17T16:33:00.000+02:002006-09-17T16:37:37.030+02:00

It just started to rain.It hasn't rained since about April.The rains didn't start till the start of December last year.This place is weird.

Aileen &amp; Fearghalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15143294309385473333noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12793092.post-1156962706036641282006-08-30T19:16:00.000+01:002006-08-31T20:59:21.183+01:00

We’ve been away again. As soon as we found out we’d be based in Katima for our placements Tim & Kate pledged that they’d make it out and visit us and true to their word as ever, they did. They flew the new(ish) Air Namibia route overnight from Gatwick to Windhoek, picked up their hire car and bombed straight up to Etosha. Once they’d had their fill of lion, rhino, elephant, giraffe and squillons

Aileen &amp; Fearghalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15143294309385473333noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12793092.post-1154371610314710202006-07-31T19:42:00.000+01:002006-07-31T19:46:50.386+01:00

Look what we got!! Originally uploaded by Aileen & Fearghal. Since we got here we've been moaning to the regional education management that we haven't got:1. A computer - essential for preparing workshops2. Any money - essential for financing workshops3. Transport - essential for following up on the workshops by visiting teachers in their schools11 months in and they've finally relented

Aileen &amp; Fearghalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15143294309385473333noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12793092.post-1154176896558067112006-07-29T13:37:00.000+01:002006-07-29T13:41:36.570+01:00

When last we left you we had just returned from our fantastic weekend at Ngonye Falls. Unfortunately, the following week was not quite as much fun for me (Fearghal). I was due to travel the next day to a 3-day workshop at NIED (the National Institute for Educational Development) in Okahandja - a whopping 1140km from Katima.Once I’d written the blog below I gave the transport officer a ring to

Aileen &amp; Fearghalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15143294309385473333noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12793092.post-1153680216382041082006-07-23T19:17:00.000+01:002006-07-29T13:43:42.963+01:00

24th July is our wedding anniversary so this weekend we headed off to celebrate three years of married life. Once again, we went exploring and stayed somewhere we hadn’t been before.If you cross the border into Zambia at Katima you have two choices. If you turn right you cross the Zambezi on the very snazzy bridge and drive downstream to Livingstone & Victoria Falls on a brand new tarred road. We

Aileen &amp; Fearghalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15143294309385473333noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12793092.post-1153228848651534492006-07-18T14:03:00.000+01:002006-07-18T14:20:48.676+01:00

So, it's been a bit quiet on here again recently. Sorry, but we've both been really busy recently. We've been planning, running and following up on workshops during the week and trying to escape from Katima at weekends.It's not that we don't like Katima, it's just that it's good to be somewhere else for a change. It's actually a lot better here now that we have access to an actual tennis court

Aileen &amp; Fearghalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15143294309385473333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12793092.post-1151163707462618062006-06-24T16:36:00.000+01:002006-06-29T19:37:38.956+01:00

Last week was pretty hectic for the Kelly & Kelly Advisory Team. On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday I ran a series of one day English workshops at some of the circuit offices around the region. Then on Thursday and Friday Fearghal held a two day workshop in Katima for the Grade 11 and 12 Biology teachers.My workshop focused on ways to improve the standards of children’s writing and was designed as

Aileen &amp; Fearghalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15143294309385473333noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12793092.post-1150054222051931992006-06-11T20:27:00.000+01:002006-06-11T20:36:16.170+01:00

So, I’m another year older. I think I’ll remember this birthday though! My first African birthday has been an excellent success. The actual day was last Wednesday so a bunch of us went down to the floating bar after work for a few beers and another of Barbara’s fantastic chocolate cakes.My big present though was a surprise weekend away! On Friday afternoon the car was packed with (most of) the

Aileen &amp; Fearghalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15143294309385473333noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12793092.post-1148815349594677112006-05-28T12:20:00.000+01:002006-05-28T12:22:29.610+01:00

One thing we haven’t done much of on this blog, is regale you all with tales of our achievements and successes. I guess it is not in our nature to brag, but we have been asked recently whether we feel that volunteer organisations are an effective way to address development issues and whether our placements in particular are making any difference. I think this is best answered by telling you more

Aileen &amp; Fearghalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15143294309385473333noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12793092.post-1148329649683734432006-05-22T21:23:00.000+01:002006-05-22T21:27:29.696+01:00

We are back at work now after a rather extended break, and settling back into life in Katima. However, we have reached to decision to shorten our placement to one year instead of two, and will be returning to the UK at the end of September.This decision comes as a result of recent sad events. Living and working here can be tough but when you are feeling happy and strong the challenge is enjoyable

Aileen &amp; Fearghalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15143294309385473333noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12793092.post-1147288283108149172006-05-10T19:56:00.000+01:002006-05-10T20:11:23.136+01:00

We have made it back to Katima, after an unexpected trip to the UK and a whirlwind tour of Namibia, Botswana and Zambia with my parents (The Drysdales). So, it is time to update all you lovely people who told us when we were home how much you are enjoying reading about our adventures.When we got back to Windhoek we had a relaxing weekend at “The Roof of Africa”, a lovely guesthouse/restaurant in

Aileen &amp; Fearghalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15143294309385473333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12793092.post-1146595589454169182006-05-02T19:39:00.000+01:002006-05-02T19:46:29.476+01:00

If you haven't already heard, Fearghal's father passed away on Sunday April 2nd.We returned to the UK for almost three weeks for the funeral and to spend time with friends and family.We then returned to Windhoek on the 22nd and met Aileen's parents there and are now travelling through Namibia and Botswana with them. We will bore you with the photos and stories of beer and braais once we're done.

Aileen &amp; Fearghalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15143294309385473333noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12793092.post-1143367638072081922006-03-26T11:59:00.000+02:002006-03-26T12:07:18.270+02:00

Last weekend we had three reasons to celebrate! Firstly, Trish & Rach came to visit us in Katima for the first time. This is no mean feat as Namibia is ridiculously ginormous. Rach had to get on a coach in Windhoek at about 6pm and arrived in Katima at 9.30am! Trish joined her in Tsumeb in the middle of the night.The second important event last weekend was of course St Paddy’s day. Due to the

Aileen &amp; Fearghalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15143294309385473333noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12793092.post-1142274093064561012006-03-13T20:04:00.000+02:002006-03-13T20:21:33.110+02:00

This weekend I celebrated my first African birthday, and managed to do so with plenty of African style!On Friday we went to “The Boabab”, Katima’s one and only restaurant, where we enjoyed their Friday night buffet dinner. We were joined by the other VSO volunteers, who gave me some lovely African gifts, homemade cards, and even a homemade chocolate cake.On Saturday Fearghal and I headed off to

Aileen &amp; Fearghalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15143294309385473333noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12793092.post-1140885126161014742006-02-25T18:16:00.000+02:002006-02-25T18:32:07.730+02:00

We’ve had a great week this last week. Jackie & Mike visited us from the UK. Jackie was Fearghal’s head of biology at Aylesbury High School and took early retirement last year. They were in the middle of travelling through Africa and caught the intercape bus up to Katima to say hello!We drove through Chobe National Park in Botswana and managed to see plenty of wildlife. Lots if impala, water buck

Aileen &amp; Fearghalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15143294309385473333noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12793092.post-1140184378967342452006-02-17T15:44:00.000+02:002006-02-25T18:44:26.126+02:00

We have been asked what sort of things we see while we are out driving around the region, so I will try to paint a picture for you.There is one tarred road in Caprivi, it runs from Rundu, 500km away at the western end of the strip through Katima and on to Ngoma and the border with Botswana, just 60km away at the eastern end. This road was only tarred a couple of years ago, so we are pretty lucky

Aileen &amp; Fearghalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15143294309385473333noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12793092.post-1139423887691761272006-02-08T20:37:00.000+02:002006-02-08T20:38:07.710+02:00

Once again, it’s all gone a bit quiet on our blog. There’s no need to worry, we’re still here – alive and well. We’ve just both found ourselves with work to do! All the time!! This is quite different from before Christmas, when we were spending lots of time sitting at our desks wondering what to do.It all really got going with Fearghal’s workshop. Despite not having any funding he decided to go

Aileen &amp; Fearghalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15143294309385473333noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12793092.post-1137407403665094152006-01-16T12:12:00.000+02:002006-01-16T12:30:03.866+02:00

Now that we have our own house and have started making it into our home, we can tell you all about it. Fearghal has even done this nifty floor plan so it will make sense to you! The house is a bungalow within the gardens of our landlord’s house, but completely fenced off from them. Our landlords are a very nice Afrikaans family called the Strauss’. Frik works in “Bargain Builders”, which comes in

Aileen &amp; Fearghalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15143294309385473333noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12793092.post-1137155199262062562006-01-13T14:25:00.000+02:002006-01-13T14:26:39.276+02:00

Exciting news from the home front recently, my big brother Robert and his wife Victoria celebrated the arrival of Natasha Lucie Elizabeth on the 5th of January! So, now Fearghal and I are long distance Aunt and Uncle to a gorgeous baby girl. We look forward to covering at least one of our walls here with baby pictures.Congratulations Robert, and especially Victoria (make sure he does his fair

Aileen &amp; Fearghalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15143294309385473333noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12793092.post-1136876963578257232006-01-10T08:43:00.000+02:002006-01-10T11:27:57.903+02:00

“I feel like I’ve just been on a tour around the solar system”Patricia Flynn on arrival in Windhoek, 2nd January 2006So we’ve made it back to Katima safe and sound, and what an amazing holiday we’ve had. It’s impossible to describe all that we’ve seen and done on this trip; but we have to try for two reasons. Firstly, by the time we see any of you we wont be able to bore you with all of the

Aileen &amp; Fearghalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15143294309385473333noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12793092.post-1136532307621528462006-01-06T09:14:00.000+02:002006-01-06T09:25:07.636+02:00

Hello again,Sorry that our blog has become quite quiet recently, but we're still on our way back to Katima after the Christmas hols.We have had a fantastic New Year and we hope you have too. We will bore you in detail in the near future once we have uploaded the photos.We arrived in Windhoek on the 2nd and we've been staying with Rach ever since. We were planning to leave a couple of days ago but

Aileen &amp; Fearghalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15143294309385473333noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12793092.post-1135587656964448792005-12-26T10:56:00.000+02:002005-12-26T11:00:57.050+02:00

This is just a short entry to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!We're on our Christmas & Summer holidays at the minute and we've been having a fantastic time. We left Katima and stayed with volunteers enroute to Etosha National Park. We spent two nights in Etosha and managed to see a lot of giraffe as well as lions, elephants, black &white rhino and loads more.We then travelled

Aileen &amp; Fearghalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15143294309385473333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12793092.post-1134047097845795972005-12-08T14:53:00.000+02:002005-12-08T15:30:26.386+02:00

Hello to you,Did you know that the school summer holidays started this week? So everything is rapidly winding down in anticipation for the great exodus out of Katima - including us.We were VERY pleased to get Jack Jack back in one piece yesterday afternoon so our summer hols should be safe. We're planning to leave Katima at the end of next week as we have a meeting of Advisory Teachers on Tuesday

Aileen &amp; Fearghalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15143294309385473333noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12793092.post-1133346911440685562005-11-30T12:35:00.000+02:002005-11-30T12:35:11.470+02:00

Broken Car Originally uploaded by Aileen & Fearghal. Those of you who have become avid readers since we started blogging may have noticed that we haven’t written much of late. It is much easier to write when all is going well and you have exciting news. We have been feeling less inspired to write of late due to a bit of a dip in our fortunes, you deserve better. So here are our woes! (Don

Aileen &amp; Fearghalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15143294309385473333noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12793092.post-1131795000869896402005-11-12T13:30:00.000+02:002005-11-12T13:30:00.923+02:00

Makin' Bread Originally uploaded by Aileen & Fearghal. I know some of you are wondering what we are doing for food. You may well imagine it is all braais, bratwurst and beer, or even maize meal and water. Well it is neither – not all the time anyway!Traditional food in “African” Namibia is a maize meal sort of porridge served with chicken, fish or goat and vegetable that seems to have

Aileen &amp; Fearghalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15143294309385473333noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12793092.post-1131459304672275002005-11-08T15:54:00.000+02:002005-11-08T16:22:24.293+02:00

Since we had our placements confirmed we have been hinting to many of you that you would more than welcome to visit us during our time here.There are loads of things to do in the region and we could maybe come and meet you somewhere or you could come to Katima itself.Our holidays are a little vague here. We can officially take holidays at any time during the year, but as we're working with

Aileen &amp; Fearghalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15143294309385473333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12793092.post-1131024227128679862005-11-03T15:23:00.000+02:002005-11-03T15:23:47.176+02:00

"Our" GRN Backie Originally uploaded by Aileen & Fearghal. As you know we’re both here in Namibia working as Advisory Teachers for the Caprivi Education Region. Children who attend school in Namibia are collectively described as ‘learners’ and they can progress through Grades 1 to 12, starting from the age of 6. Grade 1 to 4 is also called the lower primary. Teaching in the lower primary

Aileen &amp; Fearghalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15143294309385473333noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12793092.post-1130839024557975712005-11-01T11:47:00.000+02:002005-11-01T11:59:12.190+02:00

Hello,This is a bit of boring blog entry but we think it needs done.A few people have asked us what they could send out or bring when you visit. We are really very grateful and we want to make sure if you go to all that time, effort and expense that it is worthwhile.The biggest thing missing here in Katima is Books, CDs & DVDs - you just can't but them!! Please do not post CDs or DVDs as other

Aileen &amp; Fearghalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15143294309385473333noreply@blogger.com38tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12793092.post-1130247347989185962005-10-25T14:50:00.000+02:002005-10-25T15:48:09.526+02:00

We've been to Botswana!! It's amazing!!We went to Chobe National Park for the weekend with Sue, another VSO volunteer who lives near Katima.We drove from Katima to the border at Ngoma, and from there to Kasane on the tarred road. We saw a lot of Elephant right on the road and were suitably excited - we didn't know what was to come!!We arrived at the campsite and set up the tent and noticed

Aileen &amp; Fearghalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15143294309385473333noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12793092.post-1129557199031333232005-10-17T15:53:00.000+02:002005-10-17T15:53:19.063+02:00

The TRC Originally uploaded by Aileen & Fearghal. You are probably wondering what our working days will be like, we are too! I don’t think we will ever have an typical day, so here is just one day in the life of a VSO Advisory Teacher -7am – Get up, shower, breakfast (bread not toast because the electricity is off)8am – Drive to work. We could walk in the morning, it would take about 30

Aileen &amp; Fearghalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15143294309385473333noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12793092.post-1129210651389657062005-10-13T15:37:00.000+02:002005-10-13T15:37:31.426+02:00

Playing cards in Oshakati Originally uploaded by Aileen & Fearghal. What a great week! As we said, all the new volunteers met up again in Oshakati for another week of training. The training was all very interesting – mainly consisting of finding out about the factors impacting development in Namibia. The highlights of the working week were the RAISA day (already mentioned below) and the

Aileen &amp; Fearghalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15143294309385473333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12793092.post-1128450519524335662005-10-04T20:06:00.000+02:002005-10-04T20:28:39.533+02:00

Hello again,How are you? We are fine.[We are starting to get used to this long process when you meet someone. You shake hands in a special way. You both have to ask each other how they are. Even if you don't know them!!]So we've driven to Oshakati! This was another two day trip. We left Katima at 10am on Saturday and arrived in Rundu at 4pm. We left Rundu at 9am on Sunday at arrived in Oshakati

Aileen &amp; Fearghalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15143294309385473333noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12793092.post-1127986514009539922005-09-29T11:35:00.000+02:002005-09-29T11:35:14.156+02:00

4 hippos!! Originally uploaded by Aileen & Fearghal. So we’ve been living in Katima for almost two weeks now and we’re just about beginning to get used to it. Most of the first week was taken up with filling in forms and the like. But we now have a bank account and the car is now registered in Katima Mulilo – we even have nice new number plates with ‘KM’ on the end instead of ‘W’ for

Aileen &amp; Fearghalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15143294309385473333noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12793092.post-1127548550181889502005-09-24T09:50:00.000+02:002005-10-14T09:19:02.376+02:00

Just in case you we're planning to post something to us, we need to give you our new postal address. We have heard that the most reliable way to actually receive mail is to have a private post office box and not to have anything sent to the work address. So from now on our address is:Aileen & Fearghal KellyPO Box 1736NgwezeKatima MuliloCapriviNamibiaWe now have to cross our fingers and hope that

Aileen &amp; Fearghalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15143294309385473333noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12793092.post-1127220686154975672005-09-20T14:51:00.000+02:002005-09-22T11:14:33.150+02:00

B1Originally uploaded by Aileen & Fearghal. So, we've finally made it!!The first part of our in country training ended on Thursday 15th. By this time we had already bought a car from an ex-volunteer!!We left Windhoek at 8am on the Friday following a combi (small van) which had the rest of the new volunteers heading to the north east. With a couple of stops it took is until about 5pm to reach

Aileen &amp; Fearghalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15143294309385473333noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12793092.post-1126615643605540892005-09-13T14:39:00.000+02:002005-09-13T14:47:23.610+02:00

Hello,Sorry that last post was so short. We were allowed a couple of minutes on a VSO computer and that's all we managed!!So the flights were all fine. Only the last one from Jo'burg to Windhoek was delayed. We were very knackered when we arrived at our guest house on Sunday afternoon. Since then we have been meeting each other (the new volunteers) as well as the VSO Namibia programme office

Aileen &amp; Fearghalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15143294309385473333noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12793092.post-1126533606249960312005-09-12T15:57:00.000+02:002005-09-12T16:00:06.256+02:00

Hello all,This is just a quick post to say that we have made it to Namibia safely.It is very hot here and we have been told that the hot season hasn't really started yet!!We've got training in Windhoek until Thursday and then we're off to Katima on Friday.Our first experience of Namibian food & beer has been very positive!!We'll write more soon.

Aileen &amp; Fearghalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15143294309385473333noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12793092.post-1126265811376866822005-09-09T13:29:00.000+02:002005-09-09T13:36:51.380+02:00

Well, it looks as though we're actually going.The tickets arriving this morning was a very big clue - and quite a relief!! We now have our tickets all the way to Windhoek and temporary work visas.Then someone drove away in our car; although they did leave behind a reasonable sum of money.And now we're trying to battle with the laws of physics. There must be a way of reducing the mass of our

Aileen &amp; Fearghalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15143294309385473333noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12793092.post-1125919250341053852005-09-05T13:20:00.000+02:002005-09-05T13:25:08.023+02:00

Bowling at the Sheep HeidOriginally uploaded by Aileen & Fearghal. Holy Moly!It's now almost time for us to go - eek!We've now done almost everything we needed to do over the summer. We've sold the house, moved our stuff to Kirkcaldy, attended our final VSO course, visited friends and family in Ireland & Scotland and on Saturday 3rd we had our leaving party.It was a great day. Good food, old

Aileen &amp; Fearghalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15143294309385473333noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12793092.post-1123056909307647632005-08-03T09:15:00.000+01:002005-08-03T09:15:09.343+01:00

AuntSally Originally uploaded by Aileen & Fearghal. Thank you!!Sorry this is a bit late, but a huge thank you to everyone who came along to our first leaving do at the Red Lion in Wendlebury. Although it was really sad to say goodbye to everyone, it was a lovely afternoon.We also managed to raise about £70 for VSO (despite some confusion which had me write 90 on a previous email!!).Don't

Aileen &amp; Fearghalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15143294309385473333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12793092.post-1121018473791700882005-07-10T19:01:00.000+01:002005-07-10T19:01:13.796+01:00

Aileen in the Landrover Originally uploaded by Aileen & Fearghal. Hello!We've had a top day today - we learnt how to drive a 4x4 - properly.As part of our jobs we will have to drive out from Katima to visit schools. Due the state of some of the roads, this requires being able to drive a 4x4.We had full day of quite technical training in glorious sunshine. And we had a South African

Aileen &amp; Fearghalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15143294309385473333noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12793092.post-1119447884574749742005-06-22T14:28:00.000+01:002005-07-10T19:37:44.006+01:00

September 10th 2005 - It's looming ever closer and we need to start saying our goodbye's!Due to everyone being so spread out (and cos we like a party), we are planning 3 get togethers!! If possible, please put one of them in your diary and let us know if you're likely to be able to make it.1. Goodbye to the South of EnglandAs we are leaving Bicester on the 25th July, we are planning a farewell

Aileen &amp; Fearghalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15143294309385473333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12793092.post-1118239200502656342005-06-08T12:50:00.000+01:002005-06-08T15:05:52.513+01:00

I don't know about you, but until very recenty we knew very little about international development.Attending the VSO training courses is not only equipping us with the knowledge and skills we need to work in development, but is also opening our eyes to the issues and challenges facing the developing world.If you are interested in finding out more yourself, there is a fantastic publication from

Aileen &amp; Fearghalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15143294309385473333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12793092.post-1117904541114130682005-06-04T18:02:00.000+01:002005-06-06T11:51:30.866+01:00

Harborne Hall Originally uploaded by Aileen & Fearghal. Hello,There hasn't been much happening lately, so we haven't got to play with this for a while!We finished our skwid course today (Skills for Working in Development), so we've just been freed after 4 days in the VSO training centre (Harborne Hall) in Birmingham. It was very interesting and has given us a much better idea of what

Aileen &amp; Fearghalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15143294309385473333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12793092.post-1115901768203907342005-05-12T13:39:00.000+01:002005-05-12T13:54:28.883+01:00

Finally!We have just received an email officially accepting us for our posts in Katima Mulilo in Namibia.We've been waiting to hear this for weeks and weeks, so now we can really start to look forward to our new life in Namibia - eek!

Aileen &amp; Fearghalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15143294309385473333noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12793092.post-1115799872461269122005-05-11T09:16:00.000+01:002005-05-13T23:16:56.586+01:00

So, this is where you will be able to keep track of what we're up to for the next couple of years!Right now, we are still waiting for official confirmation of our placement. It looks like we will be working as advisory teachers in Katima Mulilo in the Caprivi region of Namibia.Fearghal will be doing upper primary Natural Science and senior secondary Biology. Aileen will be working with the same

Aileen &amp; Fearghalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15143294309385473333noreply@blogger.com0