Fáilte chuig Tí Ruairí!

SKWID Group
16th - 20th July 2008

OK- this is where I will try and keep an up-to-date account of what we are all up to (Internet connections permitting!).

Jazzy Jim!

Tanzania: follow Sue and Jim's adventures on
http://sueandjim.wordpress.com

Bowling Betty!

Zambia: Betty is getting on well in Zambia but is in quite a remote spot so getting Internet access regularly is a bit of a trial. Had her birthday recently!!

Clapping
Carol!

Sri Lanka: Carol and Joe are now living in 29/1 Hagaswatta Lane Colombo 6. Follow their adventures on their blog http://carolandjoeburns.wordpress.com/

Cinematic Christina!

Settled into her new home in Kigali. Is working in the Genocide Memorial Centre. Is now sharing her house with Sandra, another VSO volunteer.

Dunking
Don!

Has just arrived in Papua New Guinea for his in-country training. Is working in the highlands of Papua New Guinea on a temporary assignment for VSO before starting his 'real' placement in Goroka University (where he hopes to have an Internet connection!!!).

Hilarious Hanna!

Has arrived in The Gambia and is now busy learning both Wollof and Mandinka. Is also (according to her) having a very busy social life .....

Jumping Jill!

Ethiopia: still not heard from Jill!

Marvellous Mike!

Kenya: Mike headed off to Mombasa on October 21st 2008. You can follow his adventures on his blog at http://mikedugganjnrafrica.blogspot.com/

You can also support his fundraising efforts at

http://www.mycharity.ie/event/mikedugganjnrafrica

Proud Paul!

Has arrived in The Gambia. Contracted malaria but Hanna assures me it isn't too serious!

Running
Rachael!

Settling in well - check your email for her regular newsletters!

Relaxing Ruairí!

Check out my blog for details of what's going on with me: www.roheithir.blogspot.com.

Trampolining
Tina!

Tina has now fully recovered from her illness and is back working fulltime in Kibungo - and loving it!

I Will Survive SKWID!

At first I was afraid, I was petrified,
Thinking I could never build a bridge from side to side.
I spent so long preparing to facilitate
But then I worried no-one would participate!

But here we are, we've learned so much.
We're ready to go out and change the universe!

With our blue books in our hands
(we hope the locals understand!)
Empowerment is the key
To our philosophy.

I will survive, I will survive
As long as I know how to love, I know I'll stay alive.
I've got all my love to give, I've got all my life to live,

I will survive...

I WILL SURVIVE!

ARE YOU GOING TO HARBORNE HALL ?
(to the air of ‘Scarborough Fair’)

Are you going to Harborne Hall
For your SKWID or P2V?
Before you go, just pause here a mo’,
And let me tell you what happened to me.

Hepatitis A, B and C.
Rabies Plague, malaria.
Dengue fever, dysentery –
Maybe I’ll just stay where I am!

CSPs and PRSPs,
VPAs and SAPs.
PAs, RAs and P2V –
Welcome to our acronym hell!

Participation is the key,
Analyse, then plan, then do.
Evaluate and start again
And monitor every thing you do.

We just wanted to build a bridge.
It was huge – and plastic – and red!
The villagers said it wasn’t right –
Oh! The bitter tears we shed.

Breakfast at eight, lunch is at one.
Supper, coffee, snacks and tea.
Coffee – again – and maybe a bun.
Why do I still feel so hungry.

When we arrived we were nervous and scared
But the trainers showed what we can do.
Their patience and knowledge has really inspired us
Oh – and their great punctuality too!

Have you just been to Harborne Hall?
Yes I know –I can tell by the signs.
The confident look, the absence of stress,
And – of course – so many new friends!