EIL Intercultural Learning - Volunteer Abroad

Network Weekends with EIL

Caitriona — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 15:49:59 +0000

Twice a year (in April and November) EIL Network members and staff meet for practical and informative workshops, debates and activities on global issu

Volunteer Abroad

Development Education

Travel Awards

Description:

EIL hosts residential Network weekends twice a year (in April and November). EIL Network members and staff meet for practical and informative workshops, debates and activities on global issues and lots of fun at the network weekends. The next Network weekend will take place in Cork in November. At the Network weekend you can expect to: Become more informed on global issues: Take part in intractive workshops and learn skills. Get creative: Learn creative ways to campaign using art and dram. Challenge and take action: Speak with people and make your voice heard in an awareness raising street action. Meet others: Make links and share ideas with other EIL members. Relax and have fun: When the workshop sessions wind down on Saturday night it is time for some music, theatre, dance or movies and make friends at the Network weekend night event. For more info contact Caterina at caterina@eilireland.org.

EIL

Development Education

residential

Network weekends

Short version

Global issues

Fun

Engaging

Staying involved with EIL

From Skibereen to South Africa - Siobhan's Story

Caitriona — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 11:54:10 +0000

Siobhan Courtney, a 24 year old primary school teacher from Skibereen, Co. Cork is currently on an EIL Intercultural Learning Volunteer programme in S

Volunteer Abroad

South Africa

Description:

Siobhan Courtney, a 24 year old primary school teacher from Skibereen, Co. Cork is currently on an EIL Intercultural Learning Volunteer programme in South Africa for 5 months.

Volunteer in Vietnam

Caitriona — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 11:15:38 +0000

EIL volunteers speak about their volunteering experience in Vietnam.

Volunteer Abroad

Individual volunteering

Vietnam

Description:

Vietnam is a country of a rare beauty with spectacular landscapes, 3,400 km of divine beaches, mountain regions with lush vegetation and charming lakes. Vietnam offers an opportunity to see a country of traditional charm and rapidly opening up to the outside world. Emerging terribly damaged by war only 30 years ago, Vietnam has made a remarkable recovery. After a decade of strong economic growth and poverty reduction, it is on course to become a middle-income country. Even so, Vietnam remains a relatively poor country. Some sectors of the population, such as the rural poor and ethnic minorities, have not benefited equally from this progress. Volunteers can contribute their time and energy to a wide range of projects in Vietnam, while gaining a real understanding of the country and its culture. To find out more how you can volunteer in Vietnam or elsewhere worldwide please visit: http://www.partnershipvolunteers.org/ http://www.eilireland.org/volunteer-abroad

Volunteer

Vietnam

EIL Intercultural Learning

Back from Mexico

mark clarke — Sun, 04 Sep 2011 13:58:06 +0000

Well I've been back home a couple weeks now so this is my final blog. Its so hard trying to reflect back on everything that happened over the summer there was just so much. I'm home since the 14th of august and its just been all go as soon as I got home. Its such a change from the pace of life in Ventanilla, it was just so relaxed, I laughed when I read the handbook because it said there was no forms of stress in La Ventanilla but being back home seems so much more hectic here now. I arrived back and had two months of post to go through and god only knows how many forms and errands to do to get ready for college but I'm settled back in now. The summer just seems like a blur now it just went too fast it all seems so surreal now. I miss it but glad to be back with my family and friends, mexican food just didnt agree with me either. Theres alot of things I really miss like the people, Lalo, Carmelo and Trini I only felt like I was really getting to know the people and settling into their way of life and then it was time to go which was such a shame. I miss being able to just wear a pair of shorts day or night I forgot how cold and damp Ireland is, I dont miss the mosquitoes though ha!

Now I'm back home in Ireland, back to college, back to reality I really want to become fluent in spanish, I didnt think about the benefits of being multilingual before the travel award now I think its essential and I'm already planning my next adventure, this trip really gave me the travel bug, It was an amazing experience and I really think it has opened my eyes and changed me for the better.I am so grateful to EIL for giving me such a life changing oppertunity and I've been telling anyone who'll listen to me about it. Thanks alot EIL and for future travel award winners you'll love it, enjoy every minute of your trip as time is fleeting and you'll be home before you know it. Hasta luego

Back in Ireland-goodbyes & hellos! My last EIL blog!

Mary Mc Donnell — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 12:57:13 +0000

Hello again! Well I am back in Ireland now! I think the last blog entry I wrote didn't appear at all, but it was just a little piece on my thoughts on leaving La Ventanilla for Ireland, and how I was feeling. I was sad that I would be leaving all the warm and wonderful people that I had met there, but I was also feeling excited about the return to Ireland. I was certainly looking forward to seeing all my family and friends again! I was hoping that I could really make the most of my last few days in that beautiful place. We finished painting the crocodile nursery to stop it from being eaten by termites. It is sad to see that for the baby crocodiles, it is the survival of the fittest-some of them are very small and thin compared to the others, and they probably won't last too long as they are not eating much. Some of the bigger ones have become quite confident though! They snarl fiercely at you when you try to move them! It is funny now as they are still too tiny to do any harm, but it is a reminder of the ferocious animals they will soon become!

The night before we left, one of the tour guides, Galo asked us to visit his house, where he is rearing up some land turtles for release at the lagoon next year. It is inspiring to hear him talking with such pride and devotion about the turtle patrol walks that he goes on almost every night. He showed us a picture of an absolutely massive turtle that he found laying eggs on the beach a few years ago! He also gave us lovely coconut milk to drink!

So I can tell you now that it was indeed, as I had expected, with a mixture of happiness and sadness that I left La Ventanilla on August 10th. Me and Mark had spent the morning saying goodbye to our friends, and taking lots of photos. I have to say that everybody there was so kind to us, Trinny from the restaurant even gave us a going-away present! I spent a little bit of time on the beach then also, soaking up the sun, and taking photos of the spectacular views for the last time. And then it was time to jump into a taxi and make our way to Pochutla for the 17-hour bus journey to Mexico City! 17 hours!! But actually, I didn't find it too bad, as the seats were comfortable, and there were some films. We stopped off once for a break.

We were met at the bus station in Mexico City by Cecilia from the host organsiation. It was really great to get such a warm welcome, and to meet Cecelia again. We had a lovely breakfast there before returning to the same hostel that we had stayed in when we had first arrived to Mexico City all those weeks before. It was time to prepare for our visit to the Irish embassy that afternoon! It was nice to have a hot shower at the hostel-the first hot one in a long time (although in La Ventanilla I was only glad that the showers were cold-they were so refreshing in the heat!). The embassy visit was a wonderful experience. Fernanda from P.E.I also came with us-it was great to see her again! We were warmly greeted at the embassy-and we were even served Barry's tea! It was very good to get the opportunity to explain to the ambassador the work of EIL in Mexico, and in particular the Travel Awards. We did a quick evaluation of the programme back at the office, and then we could relax for the evening.

The next day was time for getting a few last minute presents to bring home. We headed into the city centre on the subway. Well the city is certainly vast and vibrant! One thing I noticed is that each street seems to be dedicated to a particular type of merchandise. For example, we spent a long time walking down a very long street that had nothing but every type of fabric shop and art shop-my dream come true! I was only sad that it would be too heavy to bring home all the fabric I'd have liked to have bought! The city was full of noise and bustle, especially once all the stall-holders had taken their places, shouting over one another to get your attention as you walk by!

In the afternoon, I ventured to the National Museum of Anthropology. I had a map, but I didn't really know where I was going! I got to a really beautiful park that was full of squirrels, and eventually after a lot of walking, I did find the museum. It was exciting to think that I had actually managed to find it in such a big city! But unfortunately I didn't have much time there. It is huge, with whole rooms dedicated to every aspect of Mexican history.

After a last meeting and farewell with Cecilia and Fernanda, it was time to head back to the hostel, and get some rest before the journey back to Ireland in the morning.

Well, I was so excited on the plane! We got to fly into New York to change planes, and it was wonderful to fly over the city! I saw something that might have been the statue of liberty, but I am quite short-sighted, so I'm not sure. I definitely saw long Island though. By the time we finally got onto the flight for Dublin, I really was restless and just so excited that I would be seeing my family in just a few hours. When I arrived eventually home to my house in Tipperary, I was so delighted that my cousins were there to greet me aswell! It's funny, once I was home, it didn't seem that long at all that I had been away. I had plenty of cups of tea that day I can tell you!

Well I have been home for two weeks now. I thought i would freeze back in the Irish weather, after being in such a climate, but I don't find it cold at all-I'd say I'm just glad to have a break from the intense heat. But I do often think to myself-"I wonder what time it is now in La Ventanilla", and I think of what everybody would be doing over there at that time, and I think of the lovely sunny beach...and miss it all! But I know the memories will always be with me-and sure there is always email to check in on everyone at La Ventanilla, and my host family in Oaxaca too!

One of the best parts of the travel award is that you get to live for an extended period of time within a community, not just as a tourist, but as a volunteer, working with the community. That way, you do feel that you are eventually becoming part of that community. I won't say that it is all entirely plain sailing. There are of course ups and downs. In my case, it wasn't great when I felt quite sick, or when I got those strange blisters on my legs! Also, there were times when I felt far away from home. Sometimes I wasn't able to get to the internet for a while, and I worried about everyone at home. But all in all, anything like that was for me very minor. I was surrounded by such a beautiful places and by such friendly people that it was easier to be distracted from what might have been worrying me. I definitely think that if you are willing to work hard, if you have an open mind, and if you make an effort to befriend people, you do begin to find that you are becoming part of the community. I suppose that is all part of the challenge.

My Spanish did improve also-not terrifically, but by the end, I could understand it quite well, even if I still found it a bit hatd to reply. It has inspired me to keep practising it, as it certainly would be great to return there and to be able to speak very good Spanish! Or indeed if I was to travel to other Spanish-speaking countries it would be wonderful to have. .

Well perhaps some day I will return there. I think I must be turning everyone's ears red with all my tales of Mexico! It will be really good in September at the EIL welcome back day, to meet with all the others who have returned from their travel awards. I can't wait to hear about their experiences. I think that is a really good aspect of the award-the fact that it is not really all over when you return-you can still stay in touch with EIL, promote the travel awards, and take part perhaps in the selection process of award winners the following year.

I would say to anyone reading this that if you are thinking of applying for the Mexico Travel Award (or any of the travel awards)-definitely do! Go for it! It really is the experience of a lifetime, which sounds I know like a cliche, but it's true. It is an amazing opportunity, and you might have a far greater chance than you think of winning an award. I certainly did not expect at all that I would win when I applied. I was so surprised when I got that phone-call, but I am so glad now that I did apply!

Well I will sign off now. Thanks very much for reading, I hope it has been some bit informative. Thanks so very much to EIL for allowing me to so something so amazing! And the very best of luck if you are applying for a travel award! :)

Adios!

Mary

My experience so far in northwest Argentina

Steph Elliott — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 00:30:36 +0000

Chilecito is a small city with a main plaza. This plaza is where I hang out, drink coffee and meet with my friends. The plaza is only a 5 minute walk from my host house so I am in walking distance from the banks, shops and post office. The landscape is extremely dry here, with the only water supply coming from the Famatina Mountains. I feel very lucky to have been granted the individual travel award to volunteer in this beautiful place. Winning this award has given me the opportunity to travel to the northwest of Argentina an area less travelled by tourists, which is something that really appealed to me about this particular award. The idea of travelling on my own and spending a summer in a strange place did scare me a little at the beginning but this feeling has long left my thoughts. I travelled to Argentina on my own however once I arrived in Chilecito I was surrounded by friends and my new family. I am honestly taken back by how warm and welcoming the people in Chilecito are. My host mum Betty is like a second mother to me now and I really enjoy listening to her stories about her family and Argentina itself. My house is always busy with people coming and going, Betty also owns a little dog that is adorable and waits for me at the door every day. I attend Spanish lessons every evening for 2 hours. Esther has been very patient with me as it is my first time learning a different language with someone who doesn’t speak English. She greets me at the door every day with a warm smile and a big hug, and after our class we sit and drink mate and of course we eat some dulce de leche a delicious delicacy of Argentina. We have become really good friends and I know I will keep in touch with her when I return to Ireland.

Initially when I arrived everything felt strange and different. I didn’t know the language very well or what people were saying to me. I was adapting to a new country, customs and people.However now I can honestly say it feels like home here in Chilecito and I will truly miss the kids from the project and all my friends and host family.

I love waking up every morning and having the amazing view of the Famatina mountains, and soaking up the air and sunshine as I cycle to the neighbouring village San Miguel. San Miguel is a small little village outside chilecito situated in the province of La Rioja, at the foothills of the Andes in the northwest of Argentina and it is where I go to the soup kitchen to work Monday to Friday. I work in a neighbourhood centre where residents gather for classes or celebrating festivities. The centre is basically one big room. In this room we store a sink, cooker, fridge, cupboard for all our cutlery and some tables and chairs for the kids. A lot of work has been completed on the comedor over the past few years and this September the comedor will celebrate its 3rd birthday. Before the renovations began the walls were cold, grey and sad, the floor bumpy. There was only one fridge and two gas stoves; the remaining equipment was limited and very old. However now the walls are painted and new flooring has been put down.

The comedor (soup kitchen) project is named after the Quirquincho which is a regional term for the armadillo living in the province of La Rioja. This animal has a hard protective shell to protect itself from danger. The two girls who founded the project Caddy and Anita believed that the comedor should follow the same ethos, and become a safe and secure place for the kids to come after school, enjoy a hot nutritious meal , receive help with their homework and most importantly be given the opportunity to be kids, play and have fun. It was founded in 2008. When it began, the kids were aged between 6-9 years. However now the kids have grown up and their needs and wants have changed .A game of Ring a Ring o' Roses isn’t going to cut it with 12 and 13 year olds. However this is where the real fun begins. Like with most projects it is necessary to be adaptable and use some creative thinking to help generate an environment that these kids will enjoy and come back to every day.

When I arrived back in July two volunteers from Germany were working in the project for almost a year, so my first 2 weeks involved a lot of learning and work shadowing. The daily routine of the comedor begins when the kids arrive after school. Every day we are flooded with hugs and kisses. The comedor is run by us (the volunteers) and we hold full responsibility for what the kids will eat on a daily basis, the educational activities and games the kids will take part in along with buying the necessary ingredients for their meals. It is a lot of responsibility and a little daunting at the beginning, however I enjoy the challenge and I have learnt so much in such little time. I am glad that I have two great volunteers working by my side. However in a few weeks time the guys are returning home and I will be given the keys to the comedor. I have two weeks working on my own in the comedor before the new volunteers from Germany arrive.

We work hard to prepare a nice meal that the kids will enjoy. They love to play with cards, and really enjoy drawing or painting. They always ask us to draw pictures for them to colour, so my drawing skills have really been put to the test. A room full of kids is packed with noise and banter and every evening I return home exhausted. It is important for us that the kids respect both each other and us, so on a daily basis we teach the kids to respect the comedor by cleaning up after their meal, and ensuring they take responsibility for their things. When our day is over we clean the comedor and pack all the toys and games away for the next day.

So that is my life at the comedor in a nut shell. I have really enjoyed my experience so far and I look forward to putting some of my ideas and hopes for the comedor into action. Speak soon again

Steph

A reflection of my 57 days in Mexico

ley — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 18:41:39 +0000

57 days ago I arrived in Mexico with no clue of what I was to expect. Some people in Ireland got me very nervous when I told them I was coming to Mexico. There were mixed reactions from my friends ranging from "omg!! a girl alone in Mexico City?? you better be careful its a very dangerous City", " Stay away from the Volkswagen taxis" blah blah Some were like " wow Mexico City is amazing you will have a great time" I liked that comment as it made me relax a little. Funny enough since the day I arrived in Mexico City I fell in love with the place, I thought it was amazing in its own little ways. I being originally from Africa there were allot of things I could relate too. Some of the food ingredients, being squashed in them very slow pesera's at times, the relaxed attitude to time, but most of all the people. Mexico as a country may have its good and bads, but I must confess the Mexicans were amazing, very kind, welcoming, non-dismissive, as many others it takes a while to get used to differences, and Mexico City although it was not as culturally diverse as many European countries/cities there was no sense of feeling different nor, the casual weird looks just because I was African/looked different/ and worst spoke Spanglish. They welcomed me with open arms and wanted to know more about me, Ireland, and Africa. Which was amazing, in my years of travelling I have never felt so at home in a foreign land as I felt in Mexico.

Often in life we go through experiences without an once of reflexion of what we have done, what we have accomplished, and most of all what have we have learned from our experiences. 57 days ago all these lovely people, whom I now call friends and cried my eyes out at the airport saying goodbye to, were complete strangers and unknown to me. Now they are friends and almost family amazing isn't it? I feel like I have known them my whole life and they lived across the street from me, all we have to do is say hello, and once that's said and done a stranger is no longer a stranger, and the rest is history. I have meet incredibly resilient, hardworking people and I have learned allot from them. In Mexico its either you work hard to support your family, beg or steal to survive as the government does not have a social welfare system. So everybody has to find a way to get food on their tables some how. With all the hardships, not many I came across looked stressed, angry, vexed, nor rude. They all seemed to accept the issues at hand and were busy going about their business trying to make ends meet or finding ways to make it better. Not a complaint/moan in sight. Which made me wonder, when the recession hit Ireland it was all we could hear, recession this recession that........ Getting into a taxi was always a debatable issue as to if one should encourage the recession conversation or the bad weather? all we seemed to do is moan about something, and forgetting to realise how good we have it all. For many Mexicans when I mentioned how bad the economic situation was/perceived to be in Ireland they looked at me like I had a third eye on my forehead. Then one person from out of the blue would say "we have been living in the recession for the last 30years", or another would say "I was born in recession, not sure what you are on about exactly" and there is me with a face as tiny as a piriton pill going all red if I was of Caucasian origin. But this is when I thank God for my lovely brown color that is well able to hide them embarrassing moments. People in Mexico have accepted their economic situation and they are looking for ways forward to up their existence and I think we could learn a thing or two from them. That was lesson number one for me, and I am sure I was not the only one in that class. As the days wore off in Mexico my life class increased in knowledge of both the cultural differences and how to embress ones being, to "Digital Puncture" to knowing how to design and make my own dress but most of all I came home with a language under my belt I must confess I am not very fluent in Spanish yet but being there has definitely opened another door of opportunities. Who would have thought that?? definitely not me, and neither did my very nervous friends back in Ireland. I came home a different individual, I did not think I was going to change the world but I definitely thought I was going to give. However, I ended up receiving more than what I thought I could or even able to receive.

Anyway I thought this might be a good time to share with you guys some of the things I have learned like Digital Puncture, This was passed on to me from my very lovely host mother who showed me the way of getting rid of differnt body pains by pressing certain parts of your body. Crazy!! right? thought the samething when I first heard of it. Any way, she taught me that your hand is like your body. The thumb is your head, your middle fingers are your legs, and small and index fingers are your arms. So when you have a headache press the side of your thumb nail with the applied pressure you will feel the pain in the levels of your headache. The pressure helps release the headache. Sounds crazy right?? try it, it works. Let me know if it works anyone, than i will tell you guys more. i guess she wont mind if i passed on the healing message.

Greetings from Barra De Potosi

ley — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 18:41:37 +0000

Just got back from Visiting Jamie in Barra de Potosi. The place is very nice but very small. Jamie works in a small lovely library for kids. The kids were such a charm they were always happy, playful and most all very respectful. On arrival they had us working up a sweat as they were preparing for a presentation and had to get allot done. I was glad to be there and to able to do the little I could. Laura was amazing coordinating all the work and Jamie, Cecilia Fernanda all the volunteers and I got to do our bit.

After the presentation young amazing little ladies gave an introduction to the art work they had done around the library walls which was very nice. Got to know of all that they have done till date and what they are currently doing. Quite an experience the work they do out there is amazing and all the happy kids was the proof of it all.

While in Barra we went hill climbing that too was an experience. However, it had to be short lived as I lost the will to go to the top. To be honest I could not stand the slashing my poor hands were getting from the very long vegetation. That was me done for the day. The view from the third quarter of the hill which was what I did manage to get to was amazing. It felt really nice to be away from the big City, away from the traffic and hell!!! tranquility. Unfortunately the 17hr dose of AC left my badly impaired respiratory system with a minor complication. But with a few days bed rest coupled with a dose of antibiotics and anti-allergies I should be as good as new soon.

Got a week to go and these days are precious spending them in bed fighting an infection is definitely not what I had in mind. However, got to follow doctors orders and try get better. Jamie will be joining me in D.F (Mexico City) on Tuesday morning can`t wait. So I better mend soon.

Indian Fun

AshB — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 17:06:29 +0000

Well I have two weeks left and I feel like Ive literally just settled in!! Haha I haven't taken to the food here but I have fallen in love with the people! I am living in a nice area in Dehra Dun where the people are so welcoming and so inviting. I need a diary to plan the amount of dinners and eventsI have been invited to!! Its amazing. Indians have a fantastic sense of hospitality. It's a very inviting and friendly culture. They really enjoy entertaining and cooking for people which is so nice as you don't get that so much when you are at home in Ireland! Their spirit of relationships is fantastic, they really preach and practise relationships that, give and take. Indian's are very resilient and many are used to surviving in a struggle, I think I have learnt so much from the children I work with. I have definitely become more greatful for the simpler things in life. A wise Indian women told me 'without gratitute we are doomed!' and that is something that will stay with me forever!

The children I work with are gradually learning more English which is amazing, I love hearing them speak even a little. I have been doing body beats with them which is great fun! It involves using the body in order to creat rhythm and beats. The children love it. We have also devised a new curriculum with the children which means the children are getting used to a good structured routine! I am really proud of the children as they have come a long way. Independance day is coming next week!! Which I cannot wait for, as the children are taking part in a show to celebrate the day! I am teaching the younger children a short dance! I can't wait to see them I will be so proud!!!

Aisling Heeran on why you need to volunteer in Vietnam!

Caitriona — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 14:11:09 +0000

My name is Aisling Heeran and I am a student from Leitrim. This summer I decided to do some volunteer work in Ho Chi Minh city, Vietnam for 6 weeks and I can definitely say that I’m delighted that I made the decision. Before departing I was all excited, eager to explore the unknown and discover new traditions and a new way of life but when I arrived the first thing I discovered was that I wasn’t as brave as I thought I was!! I spent 2 sleepless nights wondering what I was doing in this warm humid country, thousands of miles away from home. I felt very alone and all of a sudden 6 weeks seemed like an eternity. I later discovered that we had all felt that way the first two nights and by the 3^rd day we were well and truly settled. Of course by the end of the 6 weeks I was practically part of the furniture!

The day after we arrived we had orientation and this was excellent. We were told exactly what to expect and I feel that the cultural differences were portrayed very accurately. It wasn’t long before we experienced everything that we giggled at during orientation – at lunch time we decided to go and find the supermarket to get a few essentials but our poor map-reading skills meant that our quest for the bare necessities turned into a 90minute expedition beneath the scorching sun. Along our journey we were greeted by the natives and everyone stared (I’d recommend always wearing sunglasses, it’s less intimidating when people can’t see your eyes!) After about two weeks I had gotten used to the staring and it just became the norm. Throughout our stay we experienced the rest of the cultural differences between Asian culture and Western culture. One that really stood out was; ‘if you don’t ask, you won’t know!’ We experienced this while on a tandem bike and our Vietnamese friend was acting as the...ehm... navigator..!

I was teaching English for the 6 weeks and I really enjoyed it. I found it really rewarding and satisfying. I had 6 classes a week with local volunteers. These are university students that volunteer with the organisation during their summer holidays. These lessons were really enjoyable and we discussed topics such as cultural differences, Facebook, raising children, music, movies, travel plans etc. The students were so willing to learn and so friendly and helpful. One of the students even organised a trip to the beach for a few of us. We became really good friends and I am still in contact with them. I also had a class with 11year old children. They were so cute and their English was quite good. Their enthusiasm was contagious and they loved singing songs such as ‘Hokey Pokey’, ‘Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes’, ‘I’m a Little Teapot’, ‘Itsy-Bitsy Spider’ and the popular favourite, ‘The Wheels on the Bus’. They really enjoyed having us come in and teach them and at the end two of them brought me in a teddy bear to say thank you. I thought it was so sweet and I really didn’t want to leave!

Overall I felt like my 6 weeks flew by. Though at the beginning it seemed like an eternity, by the end I felt like it wasn’t long enough, I wanted to stay for another few weeks. I have learned a lot during my time in Vietnam, many friendships were formed and I have gained a newfound appreciation for hygiene and safety!! But I have also learned to appreciate how much we have and how much we don’t actually need. Overall it was an amazing experience and a real eye-opener. I would recommend Vietnam to anybody and if you’re having doubts just banish them and go for it... You won’t regret it!!

Cordoba city

Steph Elliott — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 22:01:40 +0000

My volunteer placement means that I work Monday to Friday and I have every weekend off. I am using my spare time to travel around this beautiful country and this weekend I travelled to Cordoba which is the second biggest city in Argentina. You can travel all around Argentina by bus, the buses travel throughout the night which is nice. I got the bus Friday night and arrived in Cordoba Saturday morning which was great because I didn’t waste a full day travelling.

I arrived early in the morning and the streets were still full of life. The bus station is quiet big in Cordoba and extremely busy. Lots of cafes were still open so I decided to have a traditional Argentine breakfast of coffee and medialunas. I arrived at Hostel Babilonia which I would strongly recommend. It is really clean and the people are so welcoming. I went to sleep for a while to recuperate after my long bus journey. I was meeting with friends in Cordoba so we decided to stroll around and visit some of the must see tourist attractions in Cordoba.

The city was founded in 1573. It has a combination of Jesuit ruins and great colonial architecture. If you are interested in Colonial architecture head straight for the plaza Martin which is what we did and I have to say it is well worth the visit. In the square you can visit Argentina’s oldest cathedral Nuestra Señora de la Asunción (the Córdoba Cathedral).It is honestly magnificent I also visited the The Universidad Nacional de Córdoba which is the oldest university in Argentina. It was founded in 1613 by the Jesuit Order.

That night on returning from all our sightseeing, some of the guys from Mexico that were staying in the hostel cooked tacos so we all had dinner together and talked long into the night. They were such nice interesting people, I am really glad I met with them. We had an early start the following morning as we booked a full day of horseback riding. We were collected at the hostel and brought just outside Cordoba. Our tour guide was so lovely and we met with a great group of people on our trek. When we arrived to the ranch, we drank mate and ate some cookies. Then we each were given our horse that we would be riding for the day. My horse was so lovely but sadly I cannot remember her name. We were taught how to ride a horse the Argentine way, one hand on the reins and the other one free to work with. We trekked along the foothills of the Sierras Chicas, through rivers and even galloped along this fantastic little track. When we returned we were greeted with the fantastic smell of an asado. We ate lunch together, and then we discovered a zip wire or flying fox in the grounds of the ranch, a lot of fun!!!

We returned to the hostel late in the evening with very sore legs and tired hands. However there is no rest for the wicked and the following day we went for a walking trek in parque nacional Quebrada del condorito. I was lucky enough to see the very famous condor which is the world’s largest flying bird of prey. This park is also home to mammals like the puma and red fox and red-and-black-headed turkey vultures. Thankfully I didn’t see a puma but I was lucky enough to see a vulture which is a truly fantastic creature.

After our trek we returned to the hostel for a bags and went to catch the night bus to Chilecito.I have to say I missed Chilecito, I was really looking forward to see Betty and all the kids in the Comedor. So that’s all for another while... Chat soon again

Steph xx

57 Days in Mexico - Final count down

ley — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 04:34:22 +0000

Another lovely sun shining day in Mexico City, The weather is to die for, not too hot neither is it too cold. It rains in the evenings mostly which is lovely as it reduces the pollution in the air and the water cleans the streets. So people wake up to lovely clean streets kinda nice, but not all streets are like that though. My stay in Mexico City has been amazing and I want to take this opportunity to thank EIL for giving me this amazing opportunity to expand and share my knowledge. My time here is almost over, part of me is excited to go home but the other is sad and is not looking forward to saying good bye just yet.

I am volunteering with a Human Rights Organisation in Mexico City, The organisation deals with immigrants and migrants, refugees and asylum seekers here in Mexico, Previously, many of the arrivals used to be from Central America but currently there has been a flock of people from all over the place, like Africa, Haiti, Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan, China etc. This is a new experience for the country as Mexico has for long been a emigrant population for many the main destination has been the US and Canada. So the laws on Refugees and Immigrants are relatively new or non-existent. When the government receives certain individuals they are either sent to detention centres or some to the organisation I volunteer with. So you can imagine how it works, myself I am working on Integration and trying to sort of help frame an Integration policy. Its been an amazing experience as I have done allot of work on Immigrants, migrants and Refugees issues, So this is an amazing opportunity for me to share ideas and learn new ones in the process. After the Integration paper I might be moving on to a funding project, the organisation is trying to start some sort of a Micro Finance/Grant giving project for their clients to help by the government or on self referral they are given only three month support that is Rent, and other basic needs. When the three months elapse they are expected to have learned Spanish, or have enough to go by anyway, then fend for themselves. Mexico does not have a social welfare system like we do in Ireland so struggle for survival here is not without its difficulties. The projects are amazing and most of all the amount of work the organisation does without/with limited government funding, is incredible. Because my work here has been mainly research work I have had very little engagement with the clients or users of the organisation, hence I can not dwell too much on the current issues. I take Spanish classes with their clients in the mornings which is a bonus and boosted my communication skills and confidence to a certain degree. From the Spanish class I go to work till 5:30pm then try rush home to my host family before the rush hour starts, as it might take even two hours to get home during that time. I haven´t seen as much as I would like to but this is an experience in its self.

In the evenings on my way home I go through an area called La Condesa which is like the D4 version of Mexico City. I must say there are other South Side like places here which are amazing and even better. At Parke Mexico proud owners of pure breed dogs walk their prise possession, Dogs are as I can see the most popular pets here. Some are dressed in all sorts and you can definitely see the love. (If only they picked after their dogs though!!!) I would not mind seeing some love for the environment too. On the other side of the park builders going about their business with cans of cold beers. Its a lovely time to walk past as you see lots incredible and funny things as you walk past. Most parts of the City are kept very clean which is quite impressive. I have tried to squeeze my interactions with other things than the computer on my tiny desk at the office on weekends.

The Daughters of my host mother are amazing and so is she. They have been kind enough to show me around. We just got back from Taxco (The land of Silver as I like to call it) the views out there were to die for. The town is South of the big City about three hours from Mexico City, on my way there I got abit home sick as the green vegetation reminded me so much of Ireland but without the sheep's on the farms. Taxco is a City of the silver mines and its build on mountains so the roads are quite narrow and if you are not going up hill you are going down hill. I love spending time with my host mothers daughter Betty and her best friend Angel de Jesus (isn't that a cool name or what?). They have made my stay here a delight. The duo are amazing, they are always happy and smiling. So after a week of sitting in front of a computer coupled with crazy traffic a dose of Betty and Angel is just what I need. These guys have showed me the fun side of the City which has given me yet another introduction to the different part of this Linda Ciudad. There is so much to see and with amazing company who would want to go home??. Definitely not looking forward to saying goodbye as I am only just getting to know the City, the people and finally being able to construct a sentence en Español without my friends dieing of laughter then gently correcting me is something to be proud of. At first I used to feel uncomfortable but when some of the things got translated back to me I laughed too. At one time instead of telling this gentleman buenas dias I said "Bueno usted" I think it means good you. and the poor guy blushed as my friends died of laughter. Very embarrassing

I should apologise for not having pictures yet my memory card does not seem to be compatible with the computers I have access to but will try harder.

This weekend we are going to see Jamie, I am so excited as he has been an amazing friend and very supportive. For a person who was so nervous getting here he has been a rock. We have supported each other through homesick, culture shocks and constantly reminded ourselves of how lucky we were to be here. Being in the same country with someone you know was a real bonus as I can not imagine how it would have been without him. Thanks Jamie for the support.

I could write a book, but I guess I have to stop somewhere. Or I will soon not make any sense as I am trying to squeeze everything in one account.

My experience in a HIV and AIDS clinic

Danielle-RP — Sun, 07 Aug 2011 08:27:23 +0000

Today felt like an “Irish Day” here in South Africa as the sky clouded over with grey mist and heavy rainfall. However, this rainfall was a blessing for the South Africans as it allowed the reservoirs and lakes to fill with fresh water to prepare for the annual drought of the Summer to follow. People seemed quite happy with the change in the weather pattern from the last month of blistering sun and dry earth to a more damp, wet and cold atmosphere. So, it was all raincoats, hats and scarves for Aisling and myself as we plodded our way through the puddle filled streets of Mitchels Plain, a small town on the outskirts of Cape Town. We have changed placements and for the last two weeks Aisling and I have been working in a HIV and AIDS clinic in a public hospital. The hospital lies in the centre of the town of Mitchels Plain and has a constant flow of patients, so the staff are always kept extremely busy. Due to the fact that it is a public hospital, the services are free to patients. One of the biggest squatter townships in South Africa, Kayalicha, is situated only a couple of kilometres from the hospital so the majority of the patients who attend the hospital are from this township, but many are from Mitchels Plain also. The HIV and AIDS clinic is funded and staffed by the NGO YMCA, a community development organisation. The clinic itself focuses on three area’s – HIV testing, counselling and medical treatment with the prescription of ARV’s (Anti Retro Virals – the prescription drugs which suppress HIV for a limited time depending on the patients health). The clinic caters for both adults and children. According to the doctors the majority of adult patients in the clinic are female rather than male as it is thought that the females are more willing to get tested and feel more comfortable to discuss their status. The number of children who attend the clinic are equally male and female. There are three testing rooms in the hospital, two in the clinic and one in the maternity ward. The rooms in the clinic are open to anyone who wishes to know their status, while the testing room in the maternity ward are for pregnant woman only who must take a HIV test before they receive their initial pregnancy medical check up from the maternity ward. Many of these woman have no idea they are HIV positive and would have never gone for the test had it not been the regulations of the ward to test all pregnant women who want to receive free maternity care. The clinic feels that this rule is one of the only ways many pregnant women will get tested for HIV and become aware of the fact that they must take the appropriate PMTCT (prevent mother to child transmission) treatment in order to stop HIV being passed on from mother to child during pregnancy if they test positive for the virus. The other two testing rooms in the hospital are open to anyone who wishes to get tested. There are many times when the counsellors who carry out the HIV testing would roam the corridors of the hospital asking random patients if they would like to avail of a free 10 minute HIV test. Some patients take advantage of the free test but there are still a lot of people who refuse as they feel the reality of knowing one’s status is a fearful thing. TB is rampant in the hospital as the majority of the patients come from extremely disadvantaged backgrounds where hygiene is very poor. This is incredibly dangerous for the HIV patients as the risk of contracting TB if one is HIV positive is very high. Therefore, all the staff and patients are required to wear a mask at all times to avoid passing on TB to others if infected and for those who aren’t they must wear the mask to avoid contracting it. In most cases it is TB that causes death to HIV patients. There is free treatment for TB in the hospital but at times the illness is so far gone without treatment there is little the doctors can do to cure it. It is since I have been working in the clinic that I have come to realise just how prevalent HIV is in South Africa. The Clinics waiting rooms and corridors are over crowded everyday as the patients wait from as early as 5am to receive their ARV medication and emotional support from the counsellors. The shocking thing is that this is just one clinic in one town. According to the national statistics, one in seven people live with HIV in South Africa. However, these are just the statistics based on those who get tested, if one were to include those who do not get tested and live with HIV unknowingly, the number would be more like one in four. The main way the virus is contracted with the patients in the clinic is through unprotected sexual intercourse. However, there are many patients who contract HIV with the sharing of needles through substance abuse, blood to blood contact through open wounds and many females become infected from being the victims of rape. Most of the children all contracted the virus from their mother during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Therefore, there are many instances where there is more than one family member living with the virus in one house as both parent and child are infected. While working in the clinic I have met many mothers who find the aspect of telling their child that they are HIV positive just as tragic as discovering their child’s status for the first time. One mother burst into tears today as she described that she had managed to distract her daughter from finding out she was HIV positive for as long as she could, but now that the child is ten years old, she has come to the age where she is beginning to question why she must take pills everyday and why she must visit the clinic with her mother every month. The mother explained to me that she was distraught when she found out her daughter was HIV positive, it took her a long time to come to terms with it. Now, she must go through the whole process again, as she this time it is the daughter who will go through the trauma of the discovery of her illness. Not only must she inform her daughter of the horrific implications of living with HIV, she must also explain to her how she contracted it, which can often cause rifts between parent and daughter as the child may blame them for her illness. She expressed the fear of letting others know of her daughter’s status as the stigma attached to HIV is awful and many fear being rejected by family and friends. The mother stated that she must emphasis to her daughter the importance of keeping her illness a secret, which is another strain for the daughter. This mothers pain and worries mirror many of the other parents hardship of raising a child who is HIV positive in South Africa.

Barra de Potosi: Aventura número dos

Jamie Kelly — Sat, 06 Aug 2011 19:19:02 +0000

Firstly I just want to apologise I haven´t been able to blog as much as I like which means I have to try cram everything into one blog, i´ve been trying to keep up with the blogs, loved reading Aisling the other travel award winners blogs, I am not able to blog so often as I have limited internet access but I will try get everything more or less that I have done so far,with great difficulty I am sure :P

Leaving Oaxaca was a rollercoaster ride in itself, I made so many lovely friends there, lots of different people with different stories and backgrounds, I have kept in contact with them so far and know I will for a long time, most of them I met were in my class in the Spanish school. It is amazing, lovely friendly teachers and a great atmosphere, cant say enough good things about there. It was lovely to have Leylah, another travel award winner with me too for them two weeks, we were a great support for each other and have got really close since we have been here in Mexico emailing when we can. My family were also amazing in Oaxaca and I found it really hard to leave them and the friends that I had made. I went from Oaxaca to Mexico city with Leylah where we departed, I went to the hostel and Leylah went to her host family in Mexico city. I was really glad to see Fernanda and David, two friends I had made in Mexico city through the programme, we went out for dinner with Fernanda family. It was nice to socialise before I set off for Barra de Potosi, I had so many mixed emotions about Barra, I was sad to leave Oaxaca, scared, but excited too.

The next morning Cecilia met me and came with me to the bus station where I got the bus from Mexico city to Zihuatenejo, 9 hours, it was really comfortable, surprisingly as I thought 9 hours on a bus was going to kill me but it was fine. I dont think I will ever forget getting off the bus in Zihuatenejo as the first thing I can remember is the heat literally hitting me in the face, I was amazed. Ive since got used to it but at the beginning it was tough. I was met at the bu station by Maggie one of the German volunteers who had been there nearly a year, also Anna luisa and Arturo came, they are two biologists studying the animals of Barra. They brought me to Casa del Encanta where I am living, Doña is an American woman and also the coordinator of the library project I am working with in Barra although when I arrived she wasnt back from the US yet, she arrived two days later. At first being totally honest I was think I was slightly in shock, coming from a city like Dublin and arriving from Oaxaca and Mexico City Barra was totally the opposite, it was small with very few people and a couple of shops, and an amazing beach. I was really in shock I think for the first day or two until I started to settle in a bit, my spanish had really come on before then but because there is a slightly different accent on the coast and they speak quicker I had to adjust to that too but all in good time. I remember the first day I came out of the bathroom and there was a crab on my net, I thought it was an alacran or scorpion in English and told Maggie and the others, she informed me they were dangerous and of course that made me be more nervous, being someone that is not a big animal person was so hard living in Barra at first, there are lots of dogs everywhere and often crabs, lizards and the occasional snake or manta rays in the water, the first week we also saw a small shark so that was and still takes some getting used to but I have got used to it slightly now. If it werent for Maggie and everone at first I think I would have went crazy.

The first week it was just Maggie and I as the other volunteer sophie was on vacation with her sister, we were in the library every day with the children, I got to meet them all, they are all amazing and full of energy and character, I have really got to know them now , at first it was difficult because although I have experience working with children its harder in Spanish. We done different activities including art, games, reading, competitions and I thought some english classes with Maggie, the children are on their summer holidays so the schedule is slightly more relaxed now. We also had a fiesta for Mia, one of the children, she was from America and had been in Barra for a month with her grandparents, she had attended the library for the month she had been there, the kids had a great time and everyone waved her goodbye.On the weekend we went to Zihuatenejo to look around, I enjoyed it, the Pasajero was an experience at first but now feels similiar to a Dublin bus. We come here to use the internet mostly which is why I havent been able to blog as often as I would like. After the weekend Sophie arrived with her sister from vacation, as Maggie had told me she was lovely and always so helpful, I also made really good friends with her sister, they have since left, this week for Germany, I was really sad to see them go as I had became really close but we will keep in touch. It was hard for them to say goodbye to everyone after a year but I am glad I could be part of their adventure. Last week we took the children on an excursion to the local Refugio it was really good, they all really enjoyed it, so many animals I had never saw, they also received a workshop on the animals in Barra. The other days in the library we had numerous different activites including preparing for another fiesta for Maggie and Sophies departure, it was a great event, we had cake and treats for the chilren and games , everyone had lots of fun. I dont think fiestas happen that often in the Library as it is run solely on donations by people , Mias party was donated by her grandparents.

Its frustrating trying to put everyhing into one blog as I have really done so much , I know when I press upload there is going to be things I forgot. Barra itself is amazing, the place is like a paradise and we go to the beach to swim or the lagoon almost every day , if we have time. I am on my own now for a few days until the two new German volunteers arrive on Tuesday, that is really exciting to meet more people, it is a boy and a girl, the first time the ibrary has had a boy for a year. The people in Barra are all so friendly and helpful, they have been great with me so far. The library itself is an amazing project, it is the centre of the community and so many children benefit from it, unfortunetly with the current economic climate the donations have slowed down a bit but they still plough on working with what they can, I am glad to be a part of it , helping as much as I can. The children are always so happy. I have come across some cultural differences which was inevitable but at first they are hard to distinguish, that has been a challenge at times.

Juani and her family are the host family in Barra, although I dont live with them I usually eat with them and have become really good friends with all the family, last week we went on a boat to a different beach to snorkel. la manzanilla, it was amazing, the water was turquoise and the sand white, it was beautiful, so hard to explain but it was breathtaking. Juani and her family are amzing, they are a real credit to the library programme and always patient with my Spanish. I am looking forward to the new volunteers coming , I know they will love Juani and her family Danya,Jorge,Ivan and Cocky, Juanis husband.

The library is closed for this week as we are concentrating on doing the gardening and cleaning inside, I never chopped down a tree with machete until I came here, yesterday we also painted sealer onto the amazing murel which maggie painted with the children as a project about the birds in La Barra, it is truly something. We are also repainting the windows inside the library at the moment. I am excited to see the new volunteers plans for the library and the projects that might happen. That is one thing that upsets me about being here for a short time, it is really hard to make a mark as such or have a big impact with the children, I am here in between volunteers and the outside work of the library so its tough to really try make a difference but I suppose just being here I am making a difference with lots of things.

I got some great news yesterday, Leylah, Cecilia and Fernanda are coming to visit next weekend just after the new volunteers arrive for a couple of days. I am really excited about them coming. This will be a busy week for us in the library preparing everything for the new arrivals, we plan to open before the new guys get here and have the children make them welcome notes, they also done this for me, it said bienvenidos Jamie, I was really touched so I know the new guys will love it too.

I have gone on and on and still have so much to talk about, I have honestly done so much and experience so much. I have met so many brilliant people. I never imagined all them months ago when I applied for the travel award that I would be sitting here writing this but I am extremely greatful to EIL for this opportunity and for seeing something in me to send me to this wonderful place and project here in Mexico.

So for now thats me but I will blog much sooner this time so I can put everything I left out of this one and all the new adventures I have had.

Hasta Luego

Jamie

Starry Starry Night!!!

Amusicum — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 10:27:35 +0000

This is Aoife reporting again from the art volunteer base! This morning proved to me that if you wish and wish upon a star, all your dreams can come true! This was certainly the case, as I got to implement a lesson plan that I had meticulously prepared before volunteering, with the girls of the New Life Centre.  In this lesson, I utilised one of my favourite paintings ('Starry Night'), by my favourite artist, Vincent Van Gogh! Van Gogh's 'Starry Night' has always entranced me. I particularly like the gestural quality of the brushstrokes, which encourage the use of different textures.
Van Gogh's Starry Night
Thus, before I became a volunteer here, I worked on my own textural version of Van Gogh's Starry night, using two central techniques: the first was a wax crayon and black tempura paint relief and the second focused on the contrast between the rounded rolling quality of the hills (evoked using corrugated cardboard painted in various blue and green hues) and the rigid structure of the houses in the foreground (using painted matchsticks).
My full recreation of Van Gogh's Starry Night

In the workshop, I initially revised the colour wheel with the girls, focusing on the differences between warm, cool, complimentary and harmonious colours. I also recapped on some history of Van Gogh's life before introducing the first textural technique. The girls got busy laying down thick layers of yellow, light blue, dark blue and green crayons. As I said during the workshop; 'You know you are doing well when the crayon breaks!' The girls then had fun slathering the crayon in shiny black tempura paint, completely covering the colourful hues hidden underneath. While these samples were drying, I moved onto the second textural technique. I demonstrated to the girls how to trace the lines of the hills and houses, following the form set out in the painting. I then got them to paint the pieces of corrugated card in light/dark blue and green hues, using a copy of the painting as a reference point. After letting the pieces dry for a few minutes, the girls began to stick them down, following the flow of the hills. Next week, the girls will have fun with the first technique, unearthing the colours hidden underneath by scratching the surface of the paint with matchsticks. As for the second technique, the girls will begin sticking down the matchsticks to replicate the houses.

Sadly, this is my last week volunteering here as an art volunteer (this will probably be my last blog post!) and I will not see my project come to full fruition. I felt so proud to see my idea beginning to be realised! I have left the project in good hands and +will be keeping a watch on this blogspot as the girls continue their samples, and wait with baited breath for the large recreation of the painting (using the techniques I have taught them) in a few weeks time. Then, all my 'I wish, I wish upon a star' dreams will have fully come true!    Bye for now,
     Aoife.

Washout at MTV Exit!!!

Amusicum — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 09:58:39 +0000

Hello all, My name is Aoife, reporting from the art volunteer base in Thailand! This build-up to the big MTV Exit event this Saturday was immense. The event, held at the 700 Year Stadium in Chiang Mai, aimed to raise awareness of human trafficking

Within the project, both staff and volunteers, had spent weeks preparing canvases for an anti human trafficking maze, which was to be set up outside the stadium, along with the many information booths. I myself helped in laying out what information was to go on each panel. After some summarising and minor alterations, the design was complete and we spent the rest of the week preparing the canvases (painting them white) and writing the chosen statistics/images on the canvases using permanent markers and paint. The introductory panels asked some central questions regarding human trafficking, notably 'What is human trafficking,' Why does human trafficking occur?' and 'How can human trafficking be stopped?' These panels were highly interactive, with markers provided for visitors to write down their own perceptions about human trafficking. Other important sections included a display of art from the children of Thai Freedom House, featuring powerful anti-trafficking images, and art work from the girls of the New Life Centre, displaying their hopes for the future.

At the centre of the maze was a papier mache globe, covered in black and white anti-trafficking images and with the countries of the world marked out in coloured wool and clearly labelled in Thai. The different colours of the wool corresponded to countries with high/moderate/low human trafficking levels in terms of country of origin and destination of the trafficking victims. Displayed around the globe were important statistics about human trafficking, written in both English and Thai, and hopeful messages to conclude. The maze was designed to be as interactive as possible, with some question panels, with pull-off covers to display shocking answers. A powerful anti-trafficking image designed by another Irish volunteer, Aisling, using the slogan 'Not for Sale' adorned the front of the maze, with a funny cut-out area for people to pop their faces through. Many people who came enjoyed this feature of the maze!On Thursday, we set up the whole maze outside the office and it all worked according to plan. Each canvas was attached to a bamboo pole at the corner and then attached to another canvas using thick string.

But alas, 'WHY DOES IT ALWAYS RAIN ON ME???', as Travis would holler! Well... when it rains in Chiang Mai during rainy season, it really does pour! At Saturday lunchtime, we left the office with bamboo sticks in tow. Just as we arrived at the stadium, little droplets of sorrow appeared on the window screen of the car. It was raining!!! We started assembling all the bamboo sticks in their correct places outside the stadium, waiting for the rest of the staff to arrive with the canvases. A few more showers ensued but we still held high hopes that we would get through the afternoon relatively unscathed in moisture terms. We started putting up all the canvases, the heavens opened and it started to POUR rain!!! Tarps were raised, in a hope that all could be salvaged, everyone ducking for cover under umbrellas and raincoats!!! Alas, after half an hour, the maze had to be abandoned, so as to salvage as many of the canvases as possible. Nevertheless, we kept our promotional stall alive, with our human trafficking globe still available to view, as well as the cut-out face image!

At this stage it is fair to say that we were all sopping wet and drenched to the skin! We hoisted the bamboo poles and canvases into the van and we were on our way again! Us three volunteers (myself, Niki and Aisling) decided to brave the concert. After all, water is a valuable natural resource (although not so much when you are wallowing in it!). We wanted to make the best of our day at the MTV Exit, so we stayed on to see and hear the hoard of Super Junior fans! And they came in droves!!!!! The event also featured the up and coming Australian singer, Kate Miller, who proved to be a particular hit with us volunteers! Just a few minutes before we left, Super Junior came on stage, to multiple screams from the crowd surrounding us! This was an entertaining end to what tuned out to be a very interesting day, which left us singing in the rain, quite literally!

Until next time!!!
Aoife

From Touchdown to Today! Time is just flying on an amazing experience!!

Ceire — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 08:47:13 +0000

Apologies for my delay in this blog! It's all thanks to a dibble of malaria and 5 million lost blogs in one dodgy internet cafe!!

Landing in Lagos came as a thud of reality! All the preparation, the training days, the last minute scurring for the things you need (because you need 2 months supply of shampoo, Nigeria would never have that!), the goodbyes and that god forsaking packing of the 100 litre travel bag you invested in that certainly doesn’t hold 10 litres, let alone 100, is over and done with!! From getting the fantastic news that I was being given the chance to go on the EIL GAP 2011 HIV/AIDS Awareness Programme to Africa in May, up to that departure date of July 5th had all been a crazy blur and a furry of activity that I suppose I never thought would end! But it had, and here we were, slap bang in the middle of Lagos International Airport!! Bags, tired heads and pasty skin! No amount of San Tropez could disguise us now!!

Lagos at night would make Dublin’s M50 on a Friday evening look like paradise! The beeping of horns, the wafting smell of petrol and the literal bumper to bumper traffic greeted us at the arrivals door! It wasn’t difficult for our local coordinator to locate us among the crowd! All he had to was follow the looks, the whispers and the exaggerated Irish accents trying to say hello! As Ademola bundled us into the car there was certainly no going back now, we had landed! Excitement, nerves and the buzzing mosquitoes outside the window filled our heads for the night!

The following morning started our journey to Ibadan where we would stay till Sunday, giving the jet lag and the culture shock time to subside! The two hour drive to Ibadan gave me my first taste of African culture and way of life. The roadside markets, the children selling produce to passing cars, the women cooking the things that I would probably eat, try, like and pass on over the next 2 months. The heat and the humidity would give any ghd a run on its guarantee and ‘Sure’ deodorant most certainly lets you down in 30 degrees of heat! Ibadan greeted us like Lagos had, only this time we could see our surroundings!! The only way I can describe the traffic and driving in Nigeria is like an ultimate game of bumper cars at the funfair!! That feeling you get when you are in the bumper car with your brother and out of the corner of your eye you can see your Dad, hovering up the side, you close your eyes and tense, knowing what’s probably on the way! Put that scenario into reality and you have your guide to ‘Driving in Nigeria’.

Having read about the driving and bad road conditions in Nigeria before I left I thought I had myself prepared for the mayhem, but this was crazy! Indicators are only an extra commodity and mirrors only exist if the car carries its own supply of masking tape!! The NCT would clean up over here and the Garda Traffic Core have a field day! But for me it all added to the experience, the excitement and the new culture. But as we drove into Ibadan, home didn’t seem so far away anymore as to my left the Tipperary Jersey in its blue and gold beamed out at me! It made my day to know that even in Nigeria the Premier County was represented!

Our week in Ibadan involved orientation which gave us the chance to settle in, get to know their way of life, learn the currency and pick up some of the Yoruba language. It gave us a chance to learn about their culture, their political upheaval and corruption, both in the past and presently and the huge part which religion plays in their daily lives. Ibadan allowed us to sneak in some sight seeing of the Bower Tower, a view of the city and a look into the King’s Palace. We got the opportunity to visit a Mosque and for me to learn about different religions and peoples beliefs and ways of life which I found so intriguing. I got to experience my first African mass and it would make the most uptight Irish individual want to bust a move or two! The colours’ and the outfits, song and dance were amazing! Myself and Aine found a new friend in Mr. PI the Rat and laughed underneath the mosquito nets. I conquered my first ‘amhala’, and the spices had me ensuring that I didn’t return for seconds! Ibadan gave us time to adjust which was great. What I took most from my first few steps in Nigeria was the friendliness and the warmth of the people. The children ran to shake your hand or just touch your skin, many had never seen a white person before or an ‘Oyinbo’ as we are more often referred to! No matter the difficulties and problems that the communities and people were facing they still had a smile on their face for you, they still wanted to dance, sing and shake your hand and welcome you to their home. The pride in their culture and their want to share it and have you experience it was clear to be seen and felt. If Ireland could only adopt a fraction of this positive attitude, belief and warmth then we all might realise that we don’t have it anything as bad as we think we do.

Sunday morning, Munster Final day at home and time to head for Ilesha to begin with my new project! We were excited and apprehensive at the same time! Bags packed and the Tipperary jersey on, we hit the lunancy stream which Nigeria call ‘roads’. Arriving in Ilesha gave a some what sense of calm compared to Ibadan and by feeling this we knew we were settling into Nigerian culture. We met our host families and started to settle in to our environment for the next 7 weeks! My pastor host dad meant no escaping service every Sunday and my host mum a doctor meant no illness was a worry!! And their 3 little boys would keep me entertained and me to them with the bowling set I brought! I looked forward to getting to know them and spend the next 7 weeks soaking up every aspect of their life and culture.

Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances, myself and Aine didn’t get to experience the new project together. Aine you are most certainly one of the most intelligent and inspiring people I have met and above everything it was a pleasure to get to know you over the time we had in Nigeria together! An individual that had so much to offer to this programme but whether it was to be here or in Dublin you will still give all you have. You took the Chinese Hamsters in your stride and for that I am ever so thankful! By the way Aine I located those Plantain Chips and because of you KLM better have two plane seats for me at the end of Aug! xxx

So it’s the beginning of week 5 already and the time in Ilesha is flying! The old saying certainly rings true at a time like this… ‘Time flies when your enjoying your experience and do a Cheryl Cole on it with a lash of malaria!!’ The work the organization is fantastic as well as that of their community partners which I have got to experience as my host family are the founders. The project I volunteer with is a non governmental organization founded in 1994. Their goal and vision is to provide holistic care and support for people living with HIV/AIDS and their families including vulnerable and orphaned children, and also to educate the community at large on the broader issues of HIV/AIDS and reproductive health in Nigeria. The organization also encorporates education and support on TB and malaria issues so prevalent to Nigeria and often detrimental to the life of a HIV client if contracted. It has 20 members of staff, 28 community care workers and 132 unpaid volunteers within various communities. They are an organization making a huge impact, striving for change and going from strength to strength. The executive director, Mrs Fakande is an amazing lady, an inspiration with the work she has done, is planning to do and in the huge level of respect and esteem in which she is held in by everyone. The staff here have been nothing more than amazing and taken me under their wing to allow me experience all I can and educate me on the issues gripping their nation.

To try and sum up everything I have so far experienced and witnessed would be impossible but one can only try. From speaking with people living with HIV, HIV testing and counseling, home visits of orphaned and vulnerable children (OVC), accompanying people to collect their drugs in Ibadan to eating goat, being the only white donkey trying to dance at a funeral and trying palm wine. I have had my challenges, my moments of debate and the times when I want to bang my head against a wall in frustration. I have seen the painful family and children situations and the ones where there is nothing I can do. I have cried and bitten my tongue in anger. It has just about killed me as a nurse to see hospitals on strike, lack of care, treatment and no medication. But these are the times then the training of EIL back in Cork rings true…… the need for adaptability. It may have seemed an understood characteristic to have when applying for such a programme but no one can every truly know how adaptable they are until it is put to the test.

I have taken it in my stride and adapted to many situations like no water, no electricity and the non existence of toilet paper!! There are other things that are much more difficult to even consider adapting too but these are often things in government and culture that the means of change are beyond my control. Unless they want to make me governor that is!!

But these experiences and challenges are what make us strive for better and aim to do all we can to help those that are less fortunate and I am most certainly a better person for experiencing them. My eyes have been opened to many things and difficult as they are, they have me made me appreciate what I have been blessed with and thankful for the ability to come and make a change, no matter how big or small it may be.

The stigma of HIV/AIDS in Nigeria has been evident since I came. Only recently when I travelled to Ibadan with the clients to collect their ART, I spoke to a lady who had come from Abuja, nearly 6 hours away, to Ilesha to get another 2 hour journey to collect her medication in Ibadan, just so her family and neighbours would not know her status. Police men who stop the bus wondering where we are going or what work we are doing, quickly wave us on when the words HIV/AIDS are mentioned. Stigma is the huge milestone that every nation will need to cross before HIV/AIDS can be adequately dealt with, treated and its prevalence minimized.

Being part of the OVC assessment programme was great to see their work but difficult on the heart strings. While people aim to do their best and the organization arrange support, there are still so many families not reached or worse yet refusing the help offered. Children are subject to difficult situations and hard work. Remember the time when you were 10 years old, what were we doing? On summer holidays probably, playing with our friends, going on trips, buying our new school books for Sept. Now be a 10 year old in Nigeria. Your lucky if you even go to school, your early mornings are on the farm trying to get enough produce to sell that day, just to make sure that you and your family can eat that night. The days are spent walking the streets trying to sell and make what you can and it all happens again the following morning. Life is one tough continuous circle for the majority of children in Nigeria. The divide between poverty and wealth is easy to see, and something which the government unfortunately brush under the carpet. Being at a party celebration and to look to your side and see about 10 children waiting to see what you would leave on your plate that they could fill their empty bellies with was heartbreaking, and often my rice and chicken was purposely not eaten, knowing that I could most certainly do without the extra calories, but for them they could not.

Witnessing a programme with the physically challenged was one of the hardest aspects so far for me. To see individuals without wheelchair’s, with simple minor deformities that surgery could easily correct and no choice only to sit and beg was heartbreaking. Physically or mentally challenged individuals in Nigeria are not automatically entitled to any benefits. No rehab, no physio, no assistance. For them it’s their own hard luck they were born this way and they need to survive how best they can. While NGO’S are working towards better care and opportunities for this group, there is still so much that can be done.

At present at the project, my university days of my final year project are coming back to haunt me for data collection and the combined efforts of the HIV department to submit a proposal to Sidaction to ensure funding for the project for the next 3 years for different programmes and projects. The dreaded days of objectives and methodology have come back to haunt me! Is great to be a part of the project to ensure that their great work can continue!

Being able to put some of my own ideas into play has been great and so many ideas and things I would love to do has me frustrated to pick the one that’s most achievable and beneficial. Being given the chance and the invite to attend Ilesha university to take part in a youth environmental campaign was great to witness the work in different areas by other groups. But I had one alterative motive in mind….. going on the project gave me access to the group head and a chance to arrange a sensitization programme on HIV/AIDS for university students! Bingo! And am now in the process of organizing same!

This week so far has allowed me to see the HIV/AIDS setup within Nigeria prison outreach and be involved in education of the sex workers within brothels. While my dream would be to empower them outside of this trade altogether, some refuse to leave, so empowering them to protect themselves and be aware of HIV at least leaves me with some satisfaction. I hope that I can leave my mark in Nigeria in some way and leave the project knowing that I have done my best, shared new ideas, worked hard, developed new projects and even made an impact in the lives of people.

Culturally the African food will ensure that the airline charges me for excess weight, and that certainly won’t be my bags! There isn’t anything I haven’t tried and as my motto goes, ‘try it once, if you don’t like it then don’t try it a second time!’ I have gotten to travel to Niger state, 12 hours journey on a bus bounding into potholes and stopping to change the burst tyre. Me and Cherly Cole now have something in common….. Malaria! Although I didn’t have Derek waiting for me at the end of it!! Walking down the street at any time, day or night, you feel like some sort of a celebrity with people calling ‘Oynibo’, waving and coming to shake your hand! Britney Spears eat your heart out!! Myself, a motorbike and a chicken have had a strange encounter! My flat Tipp/mix Cork accent has enlightened Nigerian Radio and my mug slapped across Nigeria’s Channel 5! Being the only white person within a good 500 mile radius makes attention unavoidable, aint no blending in here! I don’t know if the sun is making me blacker or if one told me I look like Eminem before, but being asked to be in two different Nigerian hip hop videos makes one question things!

While some things are hard and aspects frustrating, the experience for me so far has been amazing. I am thoroughly enjoying every aspect of life, culture and the work of the organization. It is certainly an experience of a lifetime and can only lead to better things and positive outcomes for the future. The knowledge and opportunities I have received have enlightened me in so many aspects that I will be forever grateful.

However, should I not return the end of August I urge everyone to keep an eye on MTV!!! Or else on the news, Nigeria International Bank was robbed today, bombing and all!! Crazy stuff but right up my alley!! This kinda stuff couldn’t be made up!!!

Ciara! xx

Maeve Watson's volunteer experience working with disabled children in Mexico

Caitriona — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 15:54:07 +0000

I was lucky enough to be accepted to work with disabled children in Amecameca, Mexico, even though I did not know any Spanish. When I first arrived, it was a little daunting because I did not understand what people were asking me to do and I struggled to communicate with the children, as well as those who I was working with. However, Mexican people are extremely friendly and could not have been more welcoming. My family welcomed me with open arms and from day one treated me as one of them. It was an interesting experience living with them because I got to learn so much about their culture. They let me participate with days out and wished for me to assist with their every day rountines. In saying this, I wished I had learned the basics of the Spanish language before leaving. I would highly recommend any future volunteer to do this.

Working with the children was a challenge. I had never worked with disabled kids before. My only experience of the disabled community was growing up with a deaf family. It was certainly a lot different from living with them to looking after them! From Mondays to Fridays I would work in a school for disabled children as a teacher's assistant. We would do activities such as grammer, maths and art work. School commenced at eight and finished at one. On Thursdays, it was physical education day and the kids loved this. There were usually workshops but because it was coming close to graduation at the time, they used to practice their performances for the ceremony. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, following school, I would head to Cottolengo. This is a centre where there are approximately 15-20 boys who have special needs. I would either watch dvds, play games or do artwork with them. Honestly, there were some days which were harder than others. It was a struggle at times. However, I have absolutely no regrets and am lucky to have met all these wonderful children. It was an absolute pleasure working with them and I will never forget how sweet they were!

Mexico city was an hour and a half away from Amecameca. It was a great experience visiting the city and I hope to return. As for travel, as well as the food, everything was very cheap and easy to find. The food is delicious over there but be careful when it comes to the spicy dishes! WARNING: Do not act too confident with how well you can handle spicy foods or else you will be drinking jugs of water for the day! Trust me :D As well as cherishing many wonderful memories and gaining a new perspective, you will also have made some new friends. I met some amazing people who I will never forget and thanks to the likes of facebook, never stay out of contact with them!

If you are thinking of working over there, I hope that this has had some impact on your decision! Best of luck :)

A very exciting week in La Ventanilla!

Mary Mc Donnell — Sun, 31 Jul 2011 18:59:10 +0000

Hola! Well it really has been a very exciting week! I´ve had to make out a list of all the things I want to mention in this blog so that I don´t forget anything! Well I will begin with the turtle liberation. Since we arrived in La Ventanilla, I had been waiting every day to hear if any baby turtles had been born.

Then, if you can believe this, the day that there were turtles born, I actually missed it! I went in to eat supper at 7, and Mark said "sorry"-he¨had just been walking on the beach, and they had released a group of them! Well, I was so disappointed I have to say! But I just hopd I would get to see another liberation, and sure enough, the very next day, there were more! So what happens at the liberations is that tourists and volunteers form a line on the beach, down near the shore. Then everybody is handed a little baby turtle! Now, as I said, I had been really looking forward to that moment, but when it actually happened, it was even more amazing than I had expected, to actually hold a tiny little turtle, and be the one to release him/her into the sea for the first time! So everyone let theirs go at about the same time, and we all cheered them on as they slowly got nearr and nearer the big ocean. The waves are very strong at La Ventanilla, and a couple of times, they were swept into the sea, and then right back out again, but eventually they all made it in safely! I see how important it is that the baby turtles are released under supervision, as there are many big vultures waiting around the beach always, ready to swoop down.

Well,as soon as the volunteers from France left, there were new volunteers to keep us company! This group is from England. They are a group of students who have just left school, and they are really friendly and fun. They have sort of adopted us as part of their group almost, including us in everything. One of the group´s leaders, Victoria, is actually from Northern Ireland! We have been working with them on different tasks all week. We cleaned the beach -Mark managed to fall into the wheelbarrow while doing this, we helped build a path of rocks over an area of the road that floods a lot, we helped to reinforce with wet sand the area where the turtle eggs are kept, and we also lifted some heavy logs, oh and we also transported the little baby crocodiles over to the island! The crocodile transportation was quite exciting, especially when one escaped! He didn´t get very far though thankfully! One evening, Llalo who works at La Ventanilla brought us all to search for coconuts (not very difficult as there are trees everywhere!). He climbed the tree with great skill! Mark is intent on learning how to do it before he leaves, he says! Then, we were shown how to cut the coconuts open with a machete. Inside is the coconut milk! It tastes sweet, and a little bit fizzy. It doesn´t really taste like the coconut milk from tins that you get at home. Then once you have drank all of that, you can cut it again, and scrape out the coconut flesh. That was really delicious and creamy.

We went the other day with the other volunteers on a boat trip where we searched for dolphins and turtles. We saw plenty of dolphins. It´s very hard to get a photo of one, though, because you don´t know where the next one will come from, and they are only out of the water for a couple of seconds. We were able to get into the sea and swim around with our life jackets on. That was great, especially as you could snorkel, and see the fish below you. The water is so lovely and warm even so far out in the sea!

I may have mentioned before that as well as it usually being incredibly hot and sunny here, there also are frequent thunderstorms. Mostly they happen at night, but this week has been a fantastic one for storms. There was one last weekend where the thunder was so loud, you could feel the cabana vibrating! I did a sound recording of it to bring home. I don´t think I will ever feel scared of thunder in Ireland again after hearing that storm. Then, the other evening, it began to rain. We were sitting on the porch of the cabana with the other volunteers, when suddenly, an actual bolt of lightening struck literally 3 metres away from us! It is hard to describ, but I suppose it was a bit like a firework-such bright white light near the ground. I jumped! It was lucky nobody had been running out to their tent!

There was another storm last night, but this time it was far away, but right over the sea, so that we could sit on the beach and watch the show! It was really beautiful. There was almost non-stop lightening, but you couldn´t hear the thunder. There were clouds, so somtimes you could just see flashes of light, but then the odd time, you could see a clear bolt of lightening, reflecting on the sea! Just to make the experience really perfect, there were also many shooting stars in the clear starry sky, just above the lightening!

Since I last wrote, I have been on two more turtle walks, this time actually at La Ventanilla. On the first walk, we didn´t come across anything, but the next night, we certainly did. It was very exciting altogether. Llalo was leading the tour with his daughter Noami, and myself and Victoria went along too.We had walked as far as the wreck of a plane that crashed on the beach six years ago-this is where we usually turn back. We took a break just beyond there for about twenty minutes. Then suddenly, me and Victoria saw a dark figure walking on the beach in front of us. They didn´t have a torch or anything, so it was kind of scary! But we told Llalo, and when he saw him, he said it was a poacher. He told us that the poachers are not violent, it is just a case that whoever gets to a nest of turtle eggs first, it is thirs. This is why it is so important for the staff at La Ventanilla to do two turtle walks almost every night-to make sure thy get there first! Well, we got up then, and started walking back, but if you can believe this, a turtle had just come onto the beach! The poacher had been frightened when he saw us-(he must have been-four silent figures staring at him in the dark!), so he had gone another way, so because of that, we got to the turtle first, luckily. It really was one of the most amazing things I have ever seen, to see the turtle digging up the sand, making space for the eggs. Llalo made another hole so that we could reach in and get the eggs as they were being laid. It is important to work quickly to get the eggs out before she starts covering them up with sand. We got 91 out. They are so warm when you lift them out. They look just like ping-pong balls, but they are quite soft, but not as fragile as you would think.

She was a very fast turtle. We had collected the eggs, and were waiting for her to finish covering the hole with sand, but when we looked around again, she was gon-and there she was just heading into the sea!! The track she made coming in and out of the sea is a very thick dark line in the sand. I see now why sometimes they don´t even use a torch when looking for the turtle track-there is no need-you could not miss it! So it was a thrilling night! I was so glad I went, as I almost didn´t go that night as I was feeling tired. Another thing that is amazing at night is that as you walk along the beach, if you look down at the sand, you can see lots of little luminous specks! They are micro-organisms that glow in the dark! It looks like you have magic footsteps! I´d have thought I was seeing things if we hadn´t been told what it was!

Well, I better run back for lunch-I always seem to be running back for food when I write these blogs! Well hope all is well at home! It won´t be long now until I am back. I am going to make the very best of this last week and a bit at La Ventanilla! I can´t get my photos and video uploaded today unfortunately as I have to use a borrowed laptop in a wifi cafe, as the internet cafes are closed as they can´t get a connection today. But hopefully next week. I will talk to you then!

Mary

Vacaciones del invierno en Chilecito

Steph Elliott — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 14:03:47 +0000

It is winter vacations here in Chilecito. The kids have been off from school for two weeks and as a result fewer kids have been coming to the comedor. It has been lovely to work with a small group of kids and I am getting to know their individual personalities more and more. My cooking is improving every day and I am really enjoying preparing the food for the kids. The kids love it when we cook pure de papa y huevos fritos (mashed potatoes and eggs).

My Spanish lessons are going really well and I enjoy going to my teachers house every evening for two hours. My Spanish is really improving and I am learning so much from her. My teacher arranged that I attend my first basketball training session here in Chilecito,It was a lot of fun and I am going again on Saturday.

One of my fears before coming to Chilecito was that I was going to be alone but it is really not the case in fact it is the complete opposite. I have a really busy schedule and I have made some great friends here. I find the Argentinean people so welcoming and nice and I am continuously overwhelmed by their generosity and openness to me. They are very inquisitive,passionate people and love to speak about politics and history. It has been very interesting for me to see the process of presidential elections here in Argentina and some provincial elections have taken place already. In Argentina everything is celebrated. They even have a day to celebrate your friends... what a lovely idea. On this day everyone receives messages and phone calls from their friends and they get together for coffee or dinner. I went to a friends house for an asado we played cards and ate dinner with friends. My host mum 'Betty' brought me to her nephews house for lunch on Sunday. I spent the majority of the day there listening to folklore music and chatting with the family. It was really nice.

I am just about to leave for the comedor now, It is a beautiful day here in Chilecito, the sun is shining and the sky is clear I am going to take more pictures of my route to San Miguel becasue it is really beautiful. I will update my next blog tomorrow. I have a lot to tell you as I recently ventured to Cordoba for a weekend and it was great.

Steph :) xxx