I am writing this from the UK because I had taken the decision to end my placement early. Things have happened so fast and I now find myself back home.

New year was a good opportunity for me to play the tourist and visit local attractions - all of which have been really great. It also gave me time to think about being here.

This is a very difficult place to be. Compared to most of my fellow VSO volunteers in other parts of the world my access to home comforts is easy. I have not had to experience the basic difficulties that many of them have; but this place is so isolating. The people I work with are very nice and inspiring; they have made me welcome and cannot do enough for me, even though I am meant to be doing for them. But I hankered after the company of friends and family and the ability to know what is going on around me. Language is just too much of a challenge both in the workplace and in day to day life. Sure I could speak enough to get around, do my shopping and survive day to day; but I couldn;t hold conversations with colleagues and neighbours, I could not get the gist of what is happening around me and I felt lost. Spending so much time in silence was too debilitating. I tried the local ex pat community for social life and conversation but, because this is a commercial city, expat occasions are about business deals or looking for sex - neither of which interest me. As a person who likes to spend time alone I realised that I can only do that in the close proximity of family and friends. And I missed my grandkids so much!

I've achieved a lot more than I thought in 5 months and the NGO is already implementing a lot of stuff but I am not sure what else I can realistically do here except potter and smile at cameras. I hope they feel I have contributed. They will have an opportunity to get a replacement volunteer which is better for them than me not running on 100%. It has made me resolve to continue volunteering when I settle back to the UK.

There were many amazing experiences during my time not least the people. There were good things and bad things - things I will miss and things I will not. And overall a unique experience that I do not regret trying.

So this is me signing off this blog - at least until the next adventure.