I’ve agreed to do a (very) short talk as part of a Meet VSO event to take place in Newcastle.
It all happens at the Civic Centre from 7.30pm on June 10th.
There’ll be me and (I think) other ex volunteers all taking the stand for seven to eight minutes to tell our stories. I believe there will also be an opportunity for questions too.
Not sure what form my speech will take but there might be some brief readings from Our Man in Hanoi detailing my experiences in Vietnam.
Just to reiterate, yet again, if you have ever thought about VSO but dismissed it for whatever reason - think again. If your really want to do it then find a way. If the problem is the mortgage, or the kids, then think about doing it in your retirement. VSO just loves oldies.
Some more facts to dispel any myths:
1. It’s not all floppy haired gap-year kids
2. It is people with skills and experience doing in the developed world what they get paid for back home.
3. It used to be all two-year stints but there are some shorter options now available.
4. You might end up in a mud hut in the middle of nowhere but, then again, you probably won’t. I lived in rather a nice house.
5. While you’d be advised not to pick and choose too much, you can say what you’d be prepared to do and what you just couldn’t do without. Don’t be too picky though or they might not be able to find anything.
6. You do get a living wage and your flights are paid for. It’s enough to cover the basics. Volunteering for VSO shouldn’t cost you anything. You even get a resettlement grant when it’s all over.
VSO Flickr pool here. Facebook here.
As a final spur here’s a brief snippet of something I wrote about the experience:
“I am so proud of what we have achieved at KOTO. So proud just to be a part of it. So proud that the new KOTO is going happen. And if you’ll forgive me the indulgence, I’m proud I stuck it out. Not just the two years but the extra time to see this through.
“It is easily the single best thing I have ever done with my life.
“My future has many more adventures ahead but I will see and experience nothing like this ever again. I am the luckiest guy in the world to do this.”
For more info, or if you’d like to attend, go here.
10 comments
Comments feed for this article
May 12, 2008 at 1:02 pm
Mosh
I’m at that awkward time where I’ve recently started seeing someone who’s just landed a plum job - and I’m 30+ years from retirement! However, she and I are heading to SE Asia in June for a month and I’m secretly hoping she loves it as much as I do.
There’s not a doubt in my mind that I’d be happy as Larry living in Hanoi again for a few months, year or whatever. I’d certainly second everything on your list. I only did 6 weeks in Hanoi on my longest stint getting Blue Dragon’s website and stuff sorted, but I was made to feel so much a part of the team by the kids that I simply did not want to leave.
You mention the pride at the end of it. Hell, yes. Sure, it’s good to feel proud of something you did in the office when you’re home and getting your monthly wage. But when that thing you’ve done, you’ve done for little or no financial reward; and when you can see how much it matters to people who have a hell of a lot less than you ever will… *then* you experience pride. *Then* you know what you’ve done is more worthwhile than anything else.
People - don’t have second thoughts. It’s a meeting. In Newcastle. It will, I assume, involve a bunch of people having a right old chat and probably a beer afterwards. What a great way to spend an evening, and you might even find yourself walking off with some life-changing ideas.
I’m just off to post this on my blog…
May 12, 2008 at 1:13 pm
» VSO meeting in Newcastle Goodbye UK, Hello World!: “A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving” - Lao Tzu
[...] meeting in Newcastle Posted on May 12th, 2008 at 2:13 pm by Mosher in Uncategorized Our Man in Newcastle (formerly Our Man in Hanoi) will be speaking at a meeting of Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) at [...]
May 12, 2008 at 1:53 pm
ourmanwhere
Thanks for the plug Mosh. Not sure what your answer is - we all have to find a middle way when it comes to other halves.
I always reckon that the single difference between now and 10 years ago is I know what makes me happy. Then I just thought I knew (mostly based on media/other people’s advice/ peers etc).
You just have to work out what it is.
Good luck in Asia, whether you go or stay it’ll all work out for the best I am sure.
You know you can do VSO as a couple ;o)
May 12, 2008 at 2:07 pm
Mosh
Yup, I know about the couple thing. And she’s a primary school teacher so a *very* transferable skill. But it’s a matter of her liking it as much as I do. And being prepared to give up something she’s worked for and only just managed to obtain.
Then there’s the fact I’m desperate for kiddies (don’t tell her that!) and could do with filling the bank account up to afford it!
May 12, 2008 at 2:43 pm
ourmanwhere
I won’t tell her - promise. I suggest you don’t either ;o)
May 13, 2008 at 8:31 am
Brian Haworth
You both deserve to be very proud of what you’ve already contributed.
OMIN: Good luck with the gig - you’ll probably change a few more lives for the better on the night.
MOSH: Well blogged.
May 13, 2008 at 9:23 am
minxlj
Excellent! I’ll definitely be going.
May 13, 2008 at 9:43 am
VSO Skills Needed « Our Man in Newcastle
[...] 13, 2008 in Events, Volunteering Tags: newcastle, skills, vso It occurs to me that ahead of the VSO event blogged below it might be of interest to look at the PDF here. It essentially outlines the skill groups most [...]
May 13, 2008 at 10:18 am
ourmanwhere
Brian - thanks as always for your kind words. I think I need to concentrate on changing my own life. Nothing serious just it might be time for more adventurous before the cold sets in again.
Minxlj - the more the merrier. See you there. I hope I don’t mess up my speech.
May 14, 2008 at 1:19 pm
minxlj
Don’t worry, we won’t heckle!! ;-)