Diary of a little English girl in Sri Lanka

Final adjustments

2006-10-29T15:25:00.001-08:00

Its Sunday evening, and I've just got one more full day in the UK now before my flight from London Heathrow to Sri Lanka! I've arranged all the things I might need and want to take with me out on our spare double bed, and just have the big task tomorrow of folding and packing it all into my two bags ... I've realised that there is just no way that I'll be able to fit everything I will need this coming year, into my bags within the 30kg weight limit ... so looks as if a cardbox box will be heading my way from home when I eventually arrive at my future appartment home in Galle.

I've spent the day sorting through all the possible information and resources that may help me during the year ... but have had to try to be realistic about what might be the most helpful ... so I'v packed up a bit of all the topics I have information on, which is mostly from modules I did at university, as well as the more recently acquired resources and paperworks from my last two years rotations. Its hard to try to think about what I will need when I can forsee working with so many different agencies in very different ways ... so will just hope for the best (and leave my bedroom here in an organised mess so that i need be my family can dig out any other items!!)

Tuesday morning before I leave for my flight from Leeds Bradford to London Heathrow, we're having an expedition to dad's work to use their heavy duty weighing scales, just to check I'm not horrendously over my weight limit for the flights ... will be fun and games no doubt!! Then it's off with me,dad,mum and Katy to LeedsBrad for final goodbyes and the beginning of my new adventures ... My flight from Heathrow will take me into Sri Lanka for midday, and from then on I have absolutely no idea when or how my next post will reach you

... so take care one and all, and I'll be in touch as and when I am next able!!!

Love and buzz
Sarah

Packing up....

2006-10-27T10:22:00.000-07:00

Whey hey!! My flight details and passport have finally arrived back to me ... cutting it a bit close to comfort, but a very welcome package! My passport has been stamped for the first time in my life, and declares me a month's stay in the country before I receive the full year's working and living Visa

All my time now is being dedicated to sorting through my life's possessions and starting to sort them out into piles - problem is there's just so many piles-things for all occasions and inevitables-my sister's bed is so covered in bits and bobs that it's hard to see the actual colour of the bed covers now!

Im packing all my toiletries, emergency rations and healthcare bits, alongside handcrafts and personal mementoes for the year. There is a slowly decreasing pile of clothes sitting in one half of the suitcase, with packs of M&S underwear with pride of place on top (I've been told underwear is not the easiest items to buy overseas ... well it's more standard of underwear you've got to be careful of apparantly!)

I met up with two people from my local Methodist church recently who have been living in Tanzania for the last 18 months - one has been working with disabled people within a small fairtrade organisation, teaching locals handcrafts and how to make their own clothing through weaving and using looms. Her partner is actually a VSO volunteer working on the 2 year program around management of HIV/AIDS awareness campaigns and training programs. They have given me lots of little 'top tips' (as Antonia calls them quite infamously now) about what I might come across or face in my future work, as well as practical and sensible advice.

I went to an outlet mill centre in Colne (Burnley way) last weekend to meet my two fairy godmothers - Olwyn and Clare - for some serious last minute suitcase searching ... as you will notice we had great fun trying out all the different options in the shop, but ended up choosing the boldest and biggest there ... but its also the most practical as it has a slight expanding central section in case the suitcase 'puts on weight' at any time, and has a T-bar handle which really are fantastic for turning corners with one hand if like me you will have many bags to keep track of or to hold onto!!

I also ended up with a fab laptop bag which disguises itself as a normal smart backpack. It has lots of storage spaces behind zips for leads/paperwork and any extra items I'll have to smuggle onto the plane ... due to the 'one bag' rule that clearly forgets the need that women have for handbags for those little 'essentials' that we seem to need to store in case we might need them!! Olwyn and Clare spied some fab lightweight trainer shoes that are also designed to be used in water ... so somehow they jumped into the trolley too when no-one was watching ... but they will be perfect for paddling at the beaches to avoid any little creatures burying themselves in my flesh! eugh!!

Do you think I could fit a whole person in here...can think for lots of people who would gladly be smuggled away with me??!!!

It will fit ... if its the last thing I do ... well in fact that probably will be the case ...

I was asked by one of the children at the youth group some time like a teddy bear or toy ... I have only one teddy bear, and I've had him since I was a baby, and really hadn't thought that he might like to come along with me and have some adventures of his own! I was persuaded to take my ted anyway, and somehow from that came the suggestion that I do a teddy's travels collection for the children at Family Friends, as happens in some primary schools when children visit different countries.

There is a link to my teddy's travel log from this blogpage, and I am trying to catch him in action at different stages of my adventures. So here he is again keeping in amongst my belongings, making sure I don't miss him out when Im finally packing!!

3 weeks to go....

2006-10-10T04:22:00.000-07:00

I'm just getting to the point now where my goal is in sight and everything is coming together. I've completed all my immunisation schedule, bought up Boots and health shops with all the possible substances i might need, and done so much talking that im not sure my voice will make it onto the plane with me!!!

The last few weeks have most definitely been at a much slower pace than the last few months, and i'v a big thankyou to my mum and dad for that - mum has taken on the role of Sarah 'coach', organising all those little everyday necessecities that im sure ive been neglecting recently! Ive had time to visit places in Yorkshire and at home, snapping up pictures on my camera, framing memories and scenes to share with my future friends and colleagues in Sri Lanka. I visited the Turkish Baths in Harrogate for the first time in my life, which was an ultimately wonderful stimulating and relaxing experience all in one ... for anyone who hasn't been to something like this, the baths in Harrogate have been there for hundreds of years although the therapy treatments have very much changed over the years! It is a bit like a spa where you can experience heat rooms, ucalyptus steam room, and a cold plunge pool ... you just spend about 15minutes in each area before moving to another area. It is so envigorating that you come away feeling totally 'floaty light' and your skin feels really fresh. Think i might have to go back a few more times before i leave the UK to keep me all relaxed and de-stressed!

Im also enjoying taking time to visit family and friends before i leave to keep everyone up to date with my progress. I am still overwhelmed by the amount of people who are wishing me well, and giving such valuable tips or advice about being overseas and about Sri Lanka. I seem to meet people everywhere who either has some information to give themselves, or who know someone who can! Its been such an amazing experience, and I feel like I have the world of opportunities and possibilities within my reach. Thank heavens for the internet and IT (never thought id really say that!) because it has made all my workshops, new connections and communications possible in a way that will bring so much to my projects both in the UK and in Sri Lanka. Message boards and forums both on VSO sites and OT websites have given me access to advice and connections that I never realised would be so important. I now have links with so many people who I can call on to guide me or that I can get specific information from to help me in my work overseas.

I can now see how networking is so key to any kind of development, wherever the setting, and it is only through the maintenance of these kinds of communications that real sharing of ideas, skills and knowledge can be used to explore problems and solutions, and achieve goals.

Te le lau le lau xx

Encountering culture...

2006-10-04T22:05:00.000-07:00

Howdi,

im just spending a little time looking over all the information I've collected and been given by VSO about the area I will be living in Sri Lanka ...

I'm going to be spending the first four weeks of my time in Sri Lanka completing an induction program where I will have opportunity to learn a bit more of the realities of life and cultures in Sri Lanka, visit some of the main towns in the south of the country ... Kandy - in the middle of Sri Lanka in an area known as the hill country - where Ceylon tea is largely harvested ... and Matara - which is on the very southern coast of Sri Lanka - not far from Galle. It has also been suggested that these visits may include opportunity to stay with local families in the areas, to experience first-hand of real Sri Lankan life.

I am going to be based in Galle throughout the year, but will have time to visit other areas of the country during weekends or bank holiday periods ... incidently Sri Lanka celebrates a very large number of bank holidays for all the celebrations under the sun it could ... so it might turn out that I have slightly more time than the 21 days annual leave per year that I have been given, to explore or travel in-country. There are three other VSO volunteers starting in November with me, who will be living in the Capital Columbo; and another Dutch volunteer who will be living further inland within the South of the country. Galle itself has a largely Sinhalese community, with the majority of Tamil people living in the north and east of the country.

This will also be opportunity for me to have intensive lessons in learning a basic working knowledge of SINHALA. Sinhala is the official and national language of Sri Lanka with more than 75% of people speaking it as a first language, while around 20% of people speak Tamil as a national language. Most people of educated background also learn English as a main language. I am expected to begin to learn Sinhala during my 4 week induction period, and continue to practice and use it during my stay.

Sinhala appears to be a very interesting and curious language. It is described as an 'Indo-Aryan' language like Bengali, Hindi and Punjabi, however developed in isolation from the other members of its language family. It has been greatly affected by travel and trade over the centuries, and some words can be found from a number of languages including Dutch, Portuguese, English and Malay. Although the grammar of Sinhala seems daunting to English speakers at first, its relative flexibility allows speakers to have a go at making sentences and still be understood ... which is a huge relief to me !!!

So I will leave you will a few phrases in Sinhala for you to have a go at pronouncing ...

I'm pleased to meet you .....
o-bah dha-nah-gan-nah la-bee-mah sah-thu-tahk .....

How are you ?
ko-ho-mah-dhah ?

Good, thank you .....
hon-dhin in-nah-waah .....

What's your name ?
o-beh nah-mah mo-kahk-dhah ?

My name is .....
mah-geh nah-mah .....

Going global : part 1

2006-09-23T11:15:00.000-07:00

The first of the big events has been and gone, with somewhat more than a little bit of fun, laughter, noise and improvisation!! That was the 'global awareness celebrations' in a nutshell ... although there was the additional exploration of world music, language, craft, and culture ... and of course not to forget the fantastical food fest favoured by all (try saying that with your mouth full!!)

We were lucky enough to have the benefit of a lovely big kitchen, creative room, and games area, along with corridoor space to fill with visual and interesting resources for the kids to really get their hands onto and get up close and personal with!

I utilised wall space with posters which presented 'welcome' in tongues from around the world; scenes from countries around the world; quizzes; and a lovely big world map complete with pictures of all the world flags. On tables in each of the rooms we displayed lots of different travel and world story or poem books, world music CD's and language tapes with players, leaflets, pictures, information bites', and visual cues such as flags or world costumes.

The lead up to the hour of truth was a very frantic sight with volunteer arms and legs flying in all directions to set up activities and displays ... particularly as I was running round like a headless chicken dropping off all my resources in the right rooms, and trying to set up activity tables into some kind of logical 'organised mess'! It quickly became apparant that we definitely had way more resources than necessary, although many activities were planned as 'back-up' plans if the main activities were not successful. We also have such a diverse group of youth group members that it was important to try to cover as many interests and abilities as possible. The other volunteers really came into their own as kids started arriving ahead of time, and the activities needed starting and facilitating.

On arrival each person was given a sticker with the name of a worldwide country written on. This was their main country for the night, and they were then given a short quiz to fill out relating to their country. The task was for everyone to try to find out a few little details about their country, and most answers or information was to be found around the site. There was a question about the country's flag, language, food, neighbouring country and how they saw 'welcome' in the language. The results were fantastic with most people finding at least one piece of information about their country - many finding out all. The children were supported and encouraged to have a real sensory experience - looking, smelling, listening, touching and tasting lots of different things.

In the kitchen we had a full range of foods from around the globe, including a sample of everyday fairtrade items, out on display for the kids to see and taste. Each item had a label by it with its name on, and the name of its country of origin on the reverse. This provided for a fantastic game of 'try if you dare' and the aim was to work out where the food might be from, and if there was any food from their given country amongst the array ... most of the children (and volunteers) were more than brave trying foods for the first time, but there was no complaining all round (and no regurgitation witnessed!!)

Food tasting in action ... yum yum .....

Everyone joined in, Dean and Laura

The art room was over-run with information resources and world craft activity workshops ... although unfortunately time did not allow all the planned activities to be shared. There was a table where everyone got very sticky with coloured rice, decorating Indian Rangoli designs. The pictures looked lovely and would have been fantastic all side-by-side as they would be seen in Indian homes or buildings.

Indian 'Rangoli' artwork by Emma

There was another table where Indian mehndi designs and stickers could be found, and the results were many beautifully decorated hands, faces and arms - as would be worn by young Indian brides or women often on special occasions. Some even found some clothes to try on and wear to show others of traditional Indian costume. There was also an array of colourful face paints that materialised on faces as world symbols and flags.

Indian 'Mehndi' fashion, Christine

Traditional Indian costume dressings, Katie

Face painting - symbols and flags from around the world, Hattie and Faye

Amongst all that colourfulness there were stations where materials and activities about Totem poles, Chinese calligraphy and aboriginal artworks were presented. On another table were copies of world language phrase sheets for the curious to practice speaking words from another country, and the 'learn a language' tapes babbling away in the background in Turkish, Portuguese, Italian and Swedish. An area was also set off to one side for 'quiet time' where stories and poems from around the world could be read and shared, or poems could be written about or for the world.

In the games room we had a little less formal arrangement, with some 'world' challenges on the pool and soccar tables, ranging to crescendoing songs and chants from Africa. We had people milling all around in search of pictures, phrases or clues to their quizzes. The big world map stood boldly in the middle wall of the room, and people were encouraged to search out information on it, and consider other countries. By the end of the night there were little white stickers littering the map, showing where we had all visited around the world ... from lots of trips to central and southern Europe such as France, Germany, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, Spain, Italy ... to Greece, Turkey, Finland, China, Singapore, Australia ... and Kenya, Tanzania ... as well as to the USA.

This will definitely allow for a themed night in the future at youth group - perhaps a 'show and tell' event to really share our experiences and tales from around the world!!!

Group singing and chanting - games room

Further quizzes were introduced to help us find out more about other peoples trips and experiences related to holidays to other countries, and how many different countries there really are in the world. In the background funky and melodic world music CD's kept the mood going, with songs from latin America, the coffee lands in Africa, the Pacific islands, and other regions of the world. Graeme was a real star of the night as he stunned us all with the range of his vocal skills as he lead the group in chants that he had learnt from children he had met on visits to Kenya. Though I think more than one of us became hard of hearing after that night with the volume of voices raised in unison to the challenge!!!!

To finish off with, we all came together in the games room to draw together what we had been celebrating this week. Prizes were given to certain other 'stars' of the night, and thankyou's shared, then plans for the workshops next week were introduced. Graeme will take a workshop in the games room to share with us his preparations and goals for the next few months in his bid to cycle the River Jordan, raising money for 5 charities in the Wirral!! My workshop will continue to pursue the world awareness theme and learning, and introduce my forthcoming project in Sri Lanka with VSO. Workshops will focus on starting to build foundations for setting up links between the group and members in this country, and a future group in Sri Lanka.

On reflection I have thoroughly enjoyed preparing and facilitating the events so far, but I have revelled most of all in seeing the excitement, curiosity and rewards on the faces of the group members, and hearing so many of us trying new things and learning from new resources and each other ... and i am sure there were very few moments where child or volunteer were not without activity or task in hand. However, I would really love to hear any other comments or thoughts about the event ... and suggestions for future events or activities for the youth group, or for establishing or maintaining links in the future.

So to finish off with for now, a parting shot from a few of the many stars of the group ...

Its decided ... fun was had by all!!
(Rachel, Jenny, Ella, Jane and Ben)

Decisions

2006-09-19T21:09:00.000-07:00

With training all out of the way, its been time for meetings and discussions to finalise my global education plans. Interestingly enough there has been somewhat of an recurring alcoholic theme throughout these events ... during meetings in pubs ... over glasses of wine in my humble abode ... and even the odd chat in a nightclub (in my dreams!!! ... with myself!!).

No, but seriously i really want to extend a big thankyou to all those who have been part of our youth group focus group, or who have brought along resources and suggested activities for our forthcoming event tomorrow ... Jenny, Dean and Rhianna (youth group leaders); Graeme and family; Matt; Ellen;Roz;Craig; Hattie and all the other volunteers who have contributed so far, or that will be supporting me and the kids on the big night. Thankyou also to the members of the church who have been so welcoming and supportive of our move to the Woodchurch area from Moreton. We have been given a whole range of very exciting opportunities through the new facilities, resources, and approach of the church, which will be so valuable in creating the right kind of environment for our global awareness event.

Tune in again soon to hear and see what we've got up to in the first of my global education workshops on the 20/09/06

Bon nuit

Preparation, preparation, preparation...

2006-09-14T14:40:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I feel as though I manage to take one very pleased and contented step forwards towards being prepared for my trip, and then have to take several teeny steps backwards daily, as new needs and responsibilities leap out into the light, shreiking at me to sort them out first before the others ... its hard to keep track of whether i'm coming or going ... i'm like a juggler trying to keep all my balls balancing in the air, and its looking very procarious from where im peeking out here ... but gradually one responsibility after another will be released so there will be less and less to juggle soon ...

... last day of working with Social Services tomorrow, and also my last day employed by Cheshire and Wirral Partnership Trust. Im really very sad to be leaving, because its the start of lots of goodbyes im going to have to make ... I feel it more because I know im leaving something very secure and supportive behind and taking that first step into the unknown again ... something which i've gotten very used to doing - but it's funny how quickly you can settle into routines and groups sometimes ... but that must be a reflection on the services and people.

I had a lovely 'leaving' lunch today with all my new colleagues and friends in the OT department at Social Services - (despite the pouring rain outside - which I'm just not going to complain about as i'm sure very soon i'll be relishing any rain that falls what with the heat the Sri Lankans are used to!!) - and I received a very cheering send off from everyone, so thankyou all again for your messages and gifts.

I'm now going to also have a busy weekend seeing different people i've grown fond of, and who i'll be saying goodbyes to for now, but it's really made me realise how settled i've become in the Wirral the past 2 years ... so i'll definitely be seein you all again sometime!!

I've just handed the first of my global education agreement forms into the YfD program team after much consideration and brainstorming. Jenny Boden (the Wirral Family Friends youth group leader) has fantastically agreed to be one of my global education project supervisors while I am overseas, which means she will be on hand to give guidance and support should I need it, with developments towards achieving the goals in the youth focussed project.

So amongst lots of chatting, giggling, planning and 'wine-ing' this weekend, I'll be making some final preparations to the first of my global education workshops at the Family Friends youth group - the 'World Awareness Celebrations' which now definitely begin next wednesday the 20th - so lots of creative juice will be flowing this weekend to finalise craft, food, games and themed activities for the kids to take part in ... we are still desperately hoping for a few visitors to attend who live within different religions and cultures in our communities ... so if there is anyone out there please find us!!! ... I'm working on ideas for themes around learning about: maps / atlases / flags and countries; world foods; fairtrade foods and goods; work of Oxfam / Save the Children and other charities; Aboriginal / Maori / Chinese / Rangoli art and craft works; music / poems and stories from around the world; and other activites that focus on working together in games or quizzes that help the kids to explore and develop awareness of other people, places and issues globally.

This is the first of my next challenges before I embark on my travels ... the next workshop is to be focussed on Sri Lanka and involving the kids in thinking about how they can contribute to my work and to the people I will be meeting in my work there ... which will also begin to establish possibilities and links for future networking between Sri Lanka and the UK. I will report on this next week as I finalise preparations for this part of the global education work.

So long for now ...

Injection terror strikes unwitting victim!!

2006-09-13T19:00:00.000-07:00

Ola!

Well, i've had a bit of an unpredicted shock the last day or so ... I had my second round Rabies and Japanese Encephalitis injections at the Tropic Medicine travel clinic in Liverpool on monday morning. This time the injections were really very painful as the nurse grabbed a handful of the 'fat' on my arms, and jabbed the needles in - one in each upper arm ... one is inter-muscular - the other deep sub-cut ... so she didn't half put some force behind it!! I came out of the clinic a bit dazed with stinging arm, and drove back across the water to work ...

... later that afternoon i noticed i had throbbing pains shooting down my right shin, and began to have achy shoulders and neck ... but being me, thought nothing of it and put it down to tiredness and stress (says something about my quality and style of life at the moment!!) ...

... back at home that evening I started to come over with a cold flush, and no amount of radiator heat/ jumpers/ socks/ clothes, or hot drinks could shake it, as I felt myself shaking and shivering! ... the time became very hazy after this point, though the memories of 'nurse katy' (my sister the trainee nurse), the NHS helpline (useless by the way unless you're dying on the spot!), and other people on the telephone, are coming back to me ... alongside some amount of crawling around the house, lying on the floor, sickness, spasms and achiness all over, throbbing head and then immense overwhelming hotness and sweating ... think it sounds worse now than it seemed at the time ... as I woke up the next morning with a mere dull headache after collapsing on my bed in the early hours of the morning after drinking a gallon of water!!!

... all the time I heard myself thinking ... 'i've got encephalitis - i've got encephalitis - my head's swelling and im going to explode??!!' ... but quite clearly it wasn't the case after all ... so at least i've managed to experience what tropical flu might well be like, and I'm all the wiser if i come across any of those symptoms again during my travels ... but what a test, and my travels haven't even begun yet!!! ... its all character building as Ali would say - whilst not actually believing it!! ... though next time I'd rather pass on the experience thankyou very much!!

Please don't let that put you off coming to visit me though ... they say everyone reacts differently, and I'm already pretty unique, so if anything was bound to happen it more than likely would be to me!!!

For anyone who is possibly going to visit - you may not need the Japanese Encephalitis injection as it is not a risk in Galle or its immediate vicinity. You will need to have the course of 3 Rabies injections though, alongside the main 'A' list for any worldwide travel (includes Typhoid, Hep A, Hep B, PDT, Meningitis, Pneumococcal Pneumonia, Influenza, and BCG). The Rabies/ Japanese Encephilitis injections have cost me £35 each, although this is not necessarily a standard cost. I have also been prescribed the Chloroquine and Paludrine (Proguanil) course of anti-malarials which can be bought over the counter at chemists. The program needs to be started one month before entry into a malarial zone, and you can stop taking one month free of the zone.

Well, thats the gruesome bit out of the way! Thought you'd all like to share that very unpleasant experience with me and really get a feel for the tone of things to come ... but i will try to keep things sensible from now on!!!

ciao
sarah

Fundraising astonishment

2006-09-10T18:50:00.000-07:00

Salut!

Fantastic news ... i've just totalled up the fundraising money i've collected so far ... and the grand total is £1,201.20 !!! So i need to say a huge, big, gigantic thankyou to all those who have supported me and therefore VSO over the last few months with their donations. A special thanks to my mum, dad, and Ali's family who have directed their own campaigns and completed events of their own to beg, bully and coerse their acquaintances into sponsoring me and VSO (im only joking guys ... im sure it was all very honest and above board really! hehehee !!). Thanks dad for the little splurge you wrote to your company managers - it really did the cause justice and did the trick!

So i've a few weeks to collect any stray donations in and send the set of cheques to the VSO fundraising department in London, where all contributions are pooled into the charities' resource bank to pay for any costs and needs volunteers have during their work with the organisation.

I will leave the justgiving site open until next march, for anybody who wishes to donate to the work of VSO in the future, but for now my energy needs to be plugged in elsewhere ... it seems my adventure has already truly begun ...

... over and out

So far........

2006-09-02T22:45:00.000-07:00

Well, today I finished my VSO pre-departure training at Harbourne Hall, VSO's residantial training centre at Harbourne in Birmingham. We've been on the go now since selection in March 2006, with global education and fundraising tasks still to complete, never mind any kind of real planning and packing for November!

Harbourne Hall, VSO residential training centre

Timeline of events so far:
January 2006 - Application for the project - detailed form and CV required

February 2006 - Assessment day for limited spaces on the Youth for Development (YfD) program - (56 places offered) - series of individual interviews and group discussions; workshops; and group exercises

March 2006 - Selection for the YfD program - completion of VSO CV document for potential employers to view, completion of placement questionnaire which outlined hopes, needs and specific type of placement I was looking for

April 2006 - Post selection training completed (first personal preparation course for volunteers going overseas with the YfD program specifically) - 1 week - introduced vols to YfD's learning and training process; encouraged vols to think about motivations for volunteering alongside potential challenges and issues the might be faced when moving to a new environment overseas; explored concept of Global Education and potential projects; and enabled vols to take responsibility for their placement decision by being realistic about personal and professional capabilities
- Medical examination and clearance granted, passport and visa details collected

June 2006 - Final placement offer received - ECSAT Sri Lanka - received documentation of job outline and goals, alongside information about the NGO (non-goverment organisation) - Placement analysis and acceptance form completed; outlining how my skills and experiences are suitable for placement, possible gaps in my experience or knowledge, and reasons for wishing to be considered for placement
- Volunteers and Development self-study module pack completed - gave introduction to various global and development issues that will face vols in many areas of the world - from the debt crisis and health issues, to globalisation, power history and influences, understanding disadvantage, and development contexts
- Letters sent to various comunity groups in this area to offer sharing of the project with their group; to the British journal of OT (BJOT) news journal for publicity around the project; and messages posted on VSO, World Federation of OT and OTION websites for advice and guidance from other OT's

July 2006 - Pre-departure training completed - I week - second of the two YfD specific courses which built on learning from the post-selection course, self-study pack, and incorporated 1:1 discussions with the YfD program leaders. It involved workshops about realities of living and working overseas, and promoting international understanding; cultural differences and skills for working across cultures; relationships and emotions; overcoming issues in workplaces; HIV&AIDS and development; and learning about new approaches to development. It also included talks from returned volunteers
Dentist examination and clearance granted, injections begun at local GP's

August 2006 - Disability and development training course (with vols who are all working within VSO's 'disability' focus for the YfD or full 2 year program) - - learning was predominantly through group working and discussions about workshop topics around models of disability; attitudes and culture; disability within development context and resources; participation and approaches; advocacy; adapting resources; and issues around gender, imbalances within disability as a whole, power, and hierarchical working environments
Global Education agreements completed - plans finalised for the global education projects - agreement form completed to specify aims, objectives, timeframes and results to be achieved by projects, alongside confirmation of supervisor details for these projects
Health and security training course (with vols from both the YfD program, and also vols who are doing the full 2 year program) - 1 day - highlighted medical and security issues related to volunteering in new and unfamiliar environments; tips for actively and consciously minimising potential risks; information and tools to help vols maintain and adapt general well-being; and sharing strategies for dealing with difficult situations
Skills for working in development (SKWID) (with vols from both the YfD program, and also vols who are doing the full 2 year program) - 1 week - learning through participatory and interactive workshop activities, discussions and scenarios about diversity and disadvantage; effective communication and relationship building overseas; stakeholder analysis; facilitation skills; volunteer roles; participatory approaches - theory and tools; building bridges; participatory planning and review; networking and mobilising resources; negotiation; corruption and conflict; and finally scenarios for practicing skills for working in development from the course

We've explored issues from cultures, religions, community norms and systems, to communication, power balances and shifts, relationships,perceptions, roles, and our own needs and skills for actually coping with challenges.... and all the courses have been run in small group settings, with those of a similar background or focus, or those going to a similar country, and we remained in these groups for the whole of each course to develop relationships and network amongst ourselves

This week on SKWID training i've learnt skills and tools for working to facilitate changes with organisations and communities, to negotiation and conflict situations and strategies. It was focussed on using development strategies and concepts written about by Paulo Freire in Brazil and Robert Chambers from the department of Development studies at the University of Sussex. We largely used participatory approaches which are central to VSO's approach to development, thus focussing on facilitating change in others and in action rather than being the change....

Its been extremely challenging for us all - I found myself being forced to consider developing a more dynamic and assertive toolbox, whereas for others it was more about considering interpersonal and interactive skills when working with different people and organisations.

SKWID training, August 2006 -
The VSO organisational structure chain
VSO's volunteer schemes/ programs and activities
Considering regional centres' organisational structures and services overseas
Considering capital city organisational structures and services overseas
Using the johari window tool to consider stakeholders within our future placements
'Networking' workshop

Im going to have the rest of my country specific injections on monday afternoon at the Department for Tropical Medicine in Liverpool... Rabies, and Japanese Encephalitis. So no doubt I will have a heavy, swollen arm for the rest of the week again, as when I had my Hep A, Hep B, Pneumonia and Typhoid jabs!

The next mission is finalising plans for my 'World Awareness/Youth Celebration' events, and 'Introduction to Sri Lanka' workshops which are beginning from the 15th September. I have also established contact with the occupational therapy school at Liverpool Uni regarding workshops for students about my project and VSO's opportunities, and am hoping to arrange to do the same at the University of Derby, where I trained for 3 years. I have secured one mentor from the SCOPE inclusive youth group, and hope to find a lecturer at one of the universities who will agree to supervise any OT related work I do overseas such as small research projects-reports-or teaching.

Anyway, the time is now late, so I will report back in a few days. To be continued......
Over and out

Placement documentation

2006-09-01T09:25:00.000-07:00

Section A – Placement Outline
1. Placement details
Job title:
Occupational Therapy Consultant

Partner Organisation:
ECSAT (Equality-based Community Support And Training)

Head Office:
7a Simon Abeywickrama Avenue, Mount Lavinia
Sri Lanka

Tel: +94 (0)11 2735649
E-mail: ecsatlanka@gmail.com
Website: www.ecsatlanka.org
Operational base:
75 Elliot Road
Galle
Sri Lanka
Country:
Sri Lanka

2. Likely volunteer role / responsibilities
NB This section can be updated and changed as progress is made on an ongoing basis
Rationale for placement and how it fits into the partnership between VSO and the partner organisation
The Occupational Therapist is seen as a vital link between our organisations capacity now and where we want to be in two years. For this reason the volunteer will not be focused on service delivery, but will be engaged in training and advising on programme development in the light of Occupational Therapy. This volunteer is needed because in Sri Lanka there are only around 35 local OTs, the vast majority of whom work for the Government and do not have the time to advise NGOs. There are also questions about the quality of their training, and so a foreign-qualified trainer/advisor would ensure that ECSAT develops in a way that is up-to-date and relevant in the modern world.
VSO has not developed a formal partnership with ECSAT at present. However, ECSAT’s approach and way of working are in line with VSO’s approach and disability programme area objectives. VSO will explore the possibility of a more long-term partnership with ECSAT in the future. This placement could be a possible entry point for such a partnership.
Likely volunteer role
The volunteer would take on the role of training staff to be able to work in a way that takes into account the essentials of Occupational Therapy, and advising the organisation on how to develop its programme and systems with regard to services to people with disabilities in the most professional and appropriate way. This work would have to be done within the context of the volunteer using their own knowledge and experience, plus learning about the situation on the ground from field staff, and also liaising with other doctors and professionals in the field in Galle.
Likely tasks and duties of the volunteer
- Training of ECSAT staff in essential OT knowledge, how to work with people with disabilities, contemporary disability issues, how to train and support carers and parents of people with disabilities, identifying and referring people with disabilities
- Design and implement a simple system of providing support that includes identification of need, methods of support, referral, follow up and record keeping.
- Liaising with government and NGO health service providers on technical aspects of rehabilitation to make sure our models are compatible, and where possible contributing to training initiatives.
- Provide ongoing on-the-job training and support to key ECSAT staff.
- Maintain a dialogue about the development of the disability programme with the Director including any issues about the way the programme is developing.

3. Volunteer profile
Educational qualifications
Essential:
Graduate in the field of Occupational Therapy.

Professional work experience
Essential:
At least one year of work experience, experience of working with people with disabilities
Desirable:
Experience of working in a foreign country, experience of training others, experience of working with children with disabilities

Other skills / competencies
Essential:
Computer literacy
Desirable:
Knowledge of Community-based Rehabilitation
Essential pre-departure training requirements
If possible, a course on working with communities in a participatory manner if volunteer has no experience of this, and training methodology
Personal qualities
Self motivation, ability to manage own time, adaptability, cultural sensitivity, openness to change, patience with systems that are often slow or illogical, and diplomacy in all situations.

4. Placement specific information
Professional support available at placement (within or outside the employing organisation)
Doctors from Karapitiya hospital and the Ministry of Health in Galle work very closely with ECSAT through the Galle Disability Network that ECSAT was instrumental in establishing. Closest local Occupational Therapist is in Matara, while we also have close links with a foreign Occupational Therapist who has been in Sri Lanka for many years and would be willing to support where necessary.
Resources / equipment available (including funding, finances, facilities and equipment)
We are at the start of a UNICEF-funded project and so during that project the Occupational Therapist would be instrumental in recommending equipment and items that need to be bought. This project does not include Occupational Therapist wages, but it is likely we will be teaming up with Save the Children too, at which time it is possible that there would be more funds available to use on the work. We currently have a Community Support Centre and vehicle for transporting clients, toys and items for stimulation, a playground, water play items, and a strong client outreach staff partnership who visit people with disabilities in their homes.
Terms and conditions of work (hours, salary, leave, etc.)
The OT would be expected to work 9:00 am to 5:00 pm on weekdays with the weekends free. She would also have all national holidays off and an additional annual leave of 21 days. We would be able to pay the OT a salary of LKR 10,000 per month in line with our other project managers.
The current VSO volunteer monthly allowance is LKR 20,000 (approximately USD 200).
Language requirement
The most common language spoken in Galle is Sinhala. An intense four-week language training programme is provided through VSO’s in-country training upon arrival.
No motorbike training required

Volunteer accommodation
Accommodation is usually in a self-contained annexe or house or one storey of a house with a separate entrance. This tends to comprise a bed/sitting room, kitchen and bathroom. There will be electricity and running water but a telephone is unlikely. Volunteers are not expected to share accommodation. They are encouraged to build good relations with their landlords/family and to be considerate but are generally able to live privately.

ECSAT

2006-08-30T09:53:00.000-07:00

VSO currently does not have a long-term partnership with ECSAT. However, ECSAT’s programme and approach is one of inclusion in the community, which is in line with VSO’s approach and objective of enabling people with disabilities to access their rights and participate in their communities. VSO will explore the possibility of developing a long-term partnership with ECSAT in the future around shared objectives.

The following is some organisational information on ECSAT. Additional information is on their website ... www.ecsatlanka.org

Name: ECSAT stands for Equality-based Community Support And Training, and the
meaning of the entire word in Sinhala is ‘Unified’.

Vision: ‘A society in which vulnerable people are supported in their own communities in the
spirit of equality.’

Mission: ‘To provide holistic support services in the community to vulnerable people and
their families, enabling them to live their lives as fully as possible.’

Objectives:
Help tsunami-affected children and their families to rebuild their lives.
Ensure people with disabilities can live in their communities.
Build skills and promote work opportunities for the differently abled.

Strategies:
Strategy 1 : Child Support Groups to encourage children to support each other, both
Centre-based and mobile units.
: Day Care for children so their parents can rebuild their lives in the knowledge
that their children are safe.
: Provision of a safe area that all local children can access to play or study in a
supportive environment
: Provision of nutritious lunch and snack for children in attendance
: Parent support groups

Strategy 2 : Day care services so that parents can keep their children at home while still
being able to work.
: Therapy services so people do not need to travel far for rehabilitation.
: Parent support groups so parents have emotional support.
: Parental training to enable them to stimulate and support their children.

Strategy 3 : Life skills training for adults and young people with disabilities.
: Vocational training for adults with disabilities.
: Giving assistance to trainees in finding work by liasing with employers.
: Social activities and peer support for people with disabilities to build social
and emotional skills.

Principles:
· All people have the right to live in their own communities as equal members.
· Rehabilitation is holistic, including not only medical aspects but also social, vocational
and emotional ones.
· At all times we will work in a transparent and honest way so that individuals within and
outside of the organization can see what we are doing.
· Regardless of status, ability, gender, ethnicity, or religion, we will always listen to and
include our beneficiaries at every level of the organization.
· We work to support vulnerable people not out of pity, but out of the recognition that
community based services are their right.

Welcome

2006-08-29T16:00:00.000-07:00

Hello, hello, hello to one and all....

Welcome to my diary page. After great thought as to how I would enable others to follow me in my work, progress, and adventures overseas, I stumbled across the opportunity to create a site that I could update and present information on, and that could be viewed by others. And this is the result....So I hope you will find it easy to follow, interesting and entertaining in parts!

VSO is a leading development charity with almost 1,500 skilled professionals currently working in over 34 countries around the world. VSO's unique approach to international development is founded on volunteers, working together and with local communities to fight poverty and achieve lasting change. It currently focusses on enabling countries to address issues in terms of 'HIV and AIDS'; 'Secure Livelihoods'; 'Participation and Governance'; 'Disability'; 'Education'; and 'Health and Wellbeing'.

So first of all, please read the 'about me' section that just gives an overview of what my trip to Sri Lanka is all about. Part of my role is to also advise and network with the Sri Lanka OT school, local government, other NGO's, trustees such as OXFAM and SAVE THE CHILDREN, and community groups, to develop simple information sharing and working systems around challenging disability issues.

The big picture below is of all my fellow expatriats from the 'Youth for Development' program....(im towards the middle right hand side of the picture)....there are 56 of us from all around the UK, and from often very different backgrounds and regions. We are all aged between 18 and 25 years old, and do not necessarily have a profession, however all have been students at some point, and have a shared interest in development work in general. Some people have studied development work at some time, others like me have been working recently and have more practical skills. I hope to be able to include a link on my site to other relevant websites related to VSO and my placement, as well as to other people's YFD websites, to allow you to look at projects being done in other areas of the world.

I aim to post a new diary page weekly....although of course this may vary depending on how much free time I find myself with! It may also be that when something happens that I think may interest you, I will write about it specifically....for example about the many religious or cultural festivals that Sri Lanka celebrate as they happen, about particular places or people I visit, or any interesting facts I discover. I also plan to take a camera with me, and to post pictures on here for you all to see....of course this will depend on my ability to actually work out how to transfer pictures onto the site!!!

I do hope you enjoy following me on my adventures, and of course contact me by email to let me know how you are, what you are up to, and any news Im missing out on!!! My email address is: angelfish148@hotmail.com

Love Sarah