One week to go

One week to go until I board a plane for Nairobi where I will be based for two years on a placement with VSO.  The past 6 weeks has involved decanting my personal possessions into the three small boxes pictured above.  Strange yet liberating to have so little to represent my 31 years.  

I have been ready to go for a while now, the last of my VSO training was completed in September.  There are two training residentials, several on-line modules and self-briefing volunteers need to complete prior to departure.  Training looks at preparedness of the volunteer for the realities of volunteering long-term in the developing world and basic professional skills for working in that context.  I will receive another week of training once I arrive in Nairobi more specific to Kenya.

I have also been jabbed more times I can count - my nurse at my local practice even got a bit teary after my final immunisation having spent so much time with me over the past 3 months.  My airline ticket has been confirmed and visa is ready, and now have a final week of couch-surfing and goodbyes before I'm off.  Will write again from the other side.

If you are not familiar with VSO, definitely check out their website (www.vso.org.uk).