A work trip for a couple of days in the new job. Visited a school where the students are linking up with other young people around the world & understanding each other more. And met graduates who had just done our training course at the end of their Islamic studies degree in one of the oldest Islamic institutions & mosque in the world. They are from countries all over Africa and now heading home. We had a little time off and jaded for an old cafe and then...

My last visit in this job and to a workshop in Rwanda on inclusive education, with colleagues from Rwanda, Kenya, Nigeria, Uganda, Tanzania, Mozambique. The first day was the usual early start to travel north to see programmes. After a couple of hours drive the first stop was to meet & pay a courtesy call to the sector officials responsible for education in the area. The head official spoke appreciatevly of VSO's contribution to inclusive education, ...

A day off when working in Rwanda and a chance to visit the home of mountain guerrillas. A trek then there they were, used to humans, so near. Photos here: https://www.icloud.com/sharedalbum/#B025p3ichHO4v5

A work visit to South Africa so a good opportunity to do what I missed out on last time, and take an overnight sidetrip to Victoria Falls. 'The smoke that thunders' is the local name and it certainly lives up to that. It's actually a series of waterfalls stretching across the Zambezi river, from Zambia to Zimbabwe. This time of year it is at the end of the wet season and so in full flow, so much so that the view was limited - because of the mist and spray. The wa...

Nairobi I was in Nairobi for meetings with colleagues from the Philippines, Ireland, the Netherlands, the US, London, and Kenya itself. Following a few days of work based in the office and in the hotel we actually got a change to go out and see programmes! It's always a highlight for me to see for myself the work that VSO is engaged in, and to meet our partner organisations and volunteers. It's a great reminder for me of why we at VSO, and for me personally, do...