Ethiopia / Tigray video

Extra Weight

Thank you for all those wonderful suggestions. In fact it turns out that I'm actually allowed 46kg, so having worked to only being allowed 25kg - I may well take all of them except the solar powered pants - thanks Jez.

After viewing lists made by previous volunteers, I bought another suitcase and have decided to take these other items: football boots, veg peeler, frying pan, garlic powder and Chloe's teddy!

A week to go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Top 5 Items

Well I've bascially packed and it all comes to 21.5 kg. What should I take to use the extra 3.5?
To encourage you all to read this and to get some comments going, I've decided to ask for everyones advice. So what are your top5 holiday items that you take with you.
Use the comments link below to add your thoughts - you don't need to join up - just select Anon.

Keeping up to date

3 weeks to go and my bags are packed. I'm allowed 25 kg but I seem to be taking more gifts, games, books and it equipment than clothes.

For those who know how to and use RSS feeds, the blog now supports this facility.

For those who have no idea what that means; each new blog entry can be seen automatically without having to check the website.

The easiest solutions are
(a) using iGoogle and choose to Add a Feed or Gadget and then enter the address at the top.
(b) if you have Internet Explorer 7, go to http://woodyinafrica.blogspot.com/atom.xml and choose Subscribe to this feed. Then View - Explorer Bar - Feeds.

Hope that makes sense.

Abi Adi College

A couple of images of Abi Adi I found on the web. On the right is where I'll be working.

SKWID

So training over. Am I prepared? Well at least organised. Lots more terminology and issues to consider: negotiation, participatory approaches, corruption, stakeholder, facilitation and networking.

For those who have not heard, I shall be jetting off on September 13th to Ethiopia to a teacher training college in Abi Adi in Northern Ethiopia (just south of Axum).

First Training Over

Just returned from Harbourne Hall, Birmingham where I have completed the first of my training sessions before disembarking. Preparing 2 Volunteer is a 3 day course which lasts all day (9am till 8pm) and covers absolutely loads. From the history of the IMF and globalisation to why I want to volunteer and how I can be an effective volunteer. Very interesting, thought-provoking and challenging but my interest, enthusiasm and commitment is still there.

In a fortnight - SKWID - Skills working in development. 5 days! 9 till 9.