A letter to a new VSO volunteer Pt.1

(Prompted by a spate of emails from new VSO volunteers)

Dear new VSO volunteer,

So, you’re doing VSO. Nice. You won’t regret it.

Or at least, by the end, you won’t regret it. I am yet to meet anyone who does. Sure we all bitch, moan and rant at times but remember this – we could all go home right now if we wanted to. We don’t.

So let’s get those standard questions out of the way.

The money – it’s enough to get by on but if you want a little luxury then you may have to find a little extra. But to put it in context – I don’t think I prepared a single meal for myself in my first year in Hanoi. Imagine the cost of eating out that often back home.

The next question is the house, right? Okay I’m pretty certain it won’t be a mud hut. I know that’s what you were thinking.

I’ve lived in three VSO homes – a lovely French-style villa in the burbs that I shared with three other volunteers in Hanoi. Later, on the same posting, I got a basic but beautifully located studio style flat.

Here in Bamenda I’ve a brand new spacious home on a quiet road. I even have rooms for guests.

You want to know about the toilet don’t you? Yes I have one. Actually I have two. It flushes – just so long as the water is on. Most of the time it is. I am sure there are volunteers out there that use a latrine but the majority have a very adequate WC.

Then again when we’re on the road, or in the field, things can get a little less sanitary – but you adjust.

Going back to your volunteer home you can expect to have basic furniture, a bed, cooking utensils – or you’ll be given a small grant to purchase your own. A fridge is the norm too – as is whatever cooling apparatus is needed to make your life bearable whatever the heat.

Okay so we’re not talking Embassy style living here – VSO stops short of an SUV, a driver, cook and maid. Just so you know.

The work hours? It varies but it’s likely to be roughly equal to what you do back home. Most volunteers work office hours, take weekends off and enjoy three or four weeks holiday a year. Some even more.

Your very next question is bugs isn’t it? Yes, if you’re going somewhere tropical there is bugs. The good news is I am yet to meet anyone who hasn’t got used to them. Living with them, avoiding them where possible and occasionally killing them becomes second nature. Honestly.

And yes healthcare is provided too. Minor ailments can be treated locally or, if not, they’ll transport you somewhere that can help you.

Food ? Good question. Some people take to local food – some people don’t. Me I tire of limited local choices pretty quick but I’m yet to live anywhere that doesn’t sell fresh fruit and veg by the tonne in the local market.

You can always cook your own food. It’ll be fresh if nothing else. You might want to bring some dried herbs with you though – just for livening things up. Or maybe even some seeds. I’d pay good money for coriander seeds right now.

Meat’s another issue – you want flies with that? Seriously – you get used to cooking it a while and you stop worrying.

The work? Exasperating and rewarding in randon measures. It can drive you mad or it can be a source of euphoria never previously known without chemical assistance.

Ooh something else –  there’s a small box to fill out that says something along the lines of “What can’t you live without and what would you not like to be considered for?”

It’s a very important box.

Be honest with yourself. Me? I don’t do isolation posts. Village life isn’t for me – although I understand that many volunteers love it and wouldn’t have it any other way. Each to their own.

I also, as you might have guessed, require internet. I can only remove myself from the world so much.

Then there’s the blogging. I’d blog if I were you. Very therapeutic and it saves poor VSO staff from listening to my whinging. It also gives friends back home something to read in their lunch hours at work and you can enjoy being the focus of their envy.

What should you bring?

All the obvious items and a plan for entertaining yourself – you might have to do that a lot.

Depending on where you end up, you might spend a lot of time on your own. The iPod, the books, the downloaded movies – all good. Listening to podcasts in the dark keeps me sane when the power goes again.

Next I’m taking it a step further – I’m visiting home at Easter and I’m bringing back a Wii Fit. Hey it’s that or watching badly copied Jet Lee movies. What would you go for?

Give me time and I’ll post a part two. It’ll be less practical and much more of the touchy feely stuff.

However, all you need to know at this point – beyond what I’ve just typed – is that you’ve made the right choice.

But if you’ve any more questions then feel free to ask.

Good luck.

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Tags: advice, letter, volunteering, volunteers, vso

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