WE ARE VSO

VSO - Voluntary Service Overseas, VSO have been in existence for over 50 years serving developing countries around the world. VSO provides volunteers with skills and knowledge in health, HIV/AIDS, Secure Livelihood, and Education.

As VSO volunteers we go through rigorous training to prepare us for life outside of our home country.  Online and residential training is a necessary and vital requirement of all volunteers wishing to volunteer with  VSO.  Volunteers are matched with placements in accordance with their area of expertise & specialism.

The excitement of been accepted as a VSO volunteer is a feeling of jubilation. I was overjoyed to have been successful and couldn't wait to be given my placement, which came literally the same day as I received my acceptance e-mail.  In my case I was very disappointed to have been given a placement in Africa! I had no intention or desire to be in Africa and wanted a placement elsewhere, e.g. South Pacific or even South America. South America was never going to happen as a British subject living in the United Kingdom.

My initial reaction of Africa, Malawi was negative and  had in fact considered pulling out of the process of volunteering.  After many talks with a fellow colleague who was on his way out to Vanuatu I half succumbed to the idea of accepting Africa, Malawi. How I envied his placement in Vanuatu and he likewise he envied my placement in Africa. We both wanted what the other had however, God is the better judge of what is best for us. At the time it was very difficult to see the plan of God, and I couldn't see the bigger picture. As such I only wanted to commit for one year and not a moment longer, in saying this I am enjoying my placement to the extent that I have extended for a further year. Who would have thought it! It was not smooth running. I spent nearly 7 months doing nothing, giving up all hope of  ever doing something, and ready to return home at the end of my placement, May/June this year.

The residential training prepares us for the long days, weeks and even months of doing nothing. However, euphoria takes over our minds and blinds us of the true reality of been a volunteer. It is not until at our placement, that as volunteers many of us go through the stages of  change and reality sets in; disappointment; frustration; cultural and language barriers; nothing to do; communication challenges; sense of despair; diet challenges; travel logistics and challenges just to get out and about; isolation; loneliness; finances; and feelings of giving up and returning home. All these  changes impact on the volunteers emotional and mental wellbeing. This is particularly true for those living in very remote rural areas for example  in Nsanje, a village in  southern Malawi.

Many volunteers such as myself use our time and energy supporting local activities, orphanages, breakfast and after school clubs for the local children, supporting children and students in education through the paying of school and college fees.   

Helping the local children with education has opened my eyes to the level at which these children are educated.  There is no consistency in learning. For many poor families education is not a priority; earning money and food is their priority. My VSO colleague Nyack I  took over the breakfast club  & afterschool club from  an ex VSO volunteer, Herman. Nyack organises the  breakfast club and I the afterschool club. All children who attend the breakfast club must also attend the afterschool session.  Every Saturday before 7 am  the children, up to 20 come to be fed, good wholesome breakfast of i.e. rice, beans, chicken etc.. The older children help with the preparation of food. After breakfast they all disappear, what is particular sad come the afternoon only a handful of children turn up for lessons.  This is very depressing to see. Food is important but learning is not. Motivation is a major problem among many Malawians.  An area I am working on through teaching motivation to nurses/midwives and other health professionals.  Poverty, is a major factor in all this a person concentrates on the now and then, and not necessary tomorrow or the future. Money to buy food, housing and not self improvement.  On the ground it seems that Malawi is/has become a culture of receiving handouts. The question I constantly ask myself how does one change such a deep rooted mindset steeped in 50 years of politics. The answer is, it is very difficult, frustrating and deeply depressing to see. The parents (poor), are not always motivated and show no real commitment  to ensure that their children go to school, again this is because they have no money. Not all parents are able to pay the 5,000.00Mk per quarter, out of a wage of MK 15,000.00 a month wage. Children are often sent home because parent(s) have defaulted in the payment of school fees.

 

The problem also affects those in reasonable employment. Many of Malawians problems come from the extended family. Taking care of the children of one deceased brother or sister, uncle, aunt etc.. The cultural element impacting on the everyday living. which makes it extremely hard for poor to average Malawian families to survive. Hence education is not often seen as a priority and the begging element is strong. The mentality therefore comes eat for today and worry about tomorrow. No  forward planning in place, to take care of emergency situation. The children are happy to  dress up and gate crash weddings just to dance, be happy and see how the other half live, a way of forgetting their poverty.

Poverty demoralises, it strips one of self-respect, disempowers and only leave people bear but also strips them leaving them vulnerable with nothing, finding them at the mercy of governments and others.  What we see in countries such as Malawi is that Governments (some) have no real  interest in the poor, only during election time!

A few weeks back I helped my night guard/gardener to open a savings account. A simple process for us but for a poor man, with limited education  it was a struggle. It has taken him nearly three weeks to open a simple savings account. In the end due to my frustration of the whole process I had to come hard on him and explain to him " this is why it is important to make sure your children have an education"!. " yes madam" was his reply. I felt and feel sorry for him and others like him. The aim of opening a bank account to help him to become self sufficient and have an emergency contingency fund in place to support him and his family. He has aspirations, which is a good, to start his own business, to become a barber. It is extremely hard for him and others like him who only make a mere 15,000.00 MK per month with aspirations to start a business. My night guard has with 2 teenage children, girl and a boy, a wife in the village which he supports by sending money home to her. Their home, the servant quarters at the back of our house. A one room housing 3 people. A curtain across, father son and daughter all sleeping on one mattress with hardly any covers of two blankets. The sad life of poverty.

So we as VSO volunteers try to make a difference by helping the local children and their families to improve their livelihood.