Remember that big news I have been alluding to in the comments section of this blog?
Well finally, now that I’ve resigned my work, told my parents and let friends know, here it is.
In September I shall be leaving Newcastle to live and work in Bamenda, Cameroon for two years. Yes, it’s another VSO gig.
More details later but, in short, I am going to work as a fundraiser for an AIDS awareness charity.
It’s going to be a lot of fun.
Some links - Wiki, Flickr, videos.
Oh and it’s nothing but a shell and brand, new spanking domain but set all RSS readers to www.ourmanincameroon.com.
Yup, you’re coming with me. Things are going to get a lot more exciting around here.
* Should also add that I am off on holiday for a week from today. More information when I get back. Apologies if comments remain unmoderated while I’m away.
12 comments
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July 6, 2008 at 10:59 am
Stephen
Wow, congrats!
V. jealous. Best of luck.
July 7, 2008 at 12:30 pm
Abby
That’s brilliant news, I’ve always wanted to go second-hand to Africa :) Can’t wait to hear your news and see your photos. Good luck and well done you!
July 7, 2008 at 12:31 pm
Abby
P.S. I hope you will be practising your football goal celebrations in a Roger Milla stylee!
July 7, 2008 at 2:39 pm
diehard geordie
Well done.
You have finally sorted yourself out and decided that humanity means more to you than commerce.
Just ensure that you provide for yourself in some small way for your unknown future.
As my Mother used to say and I use it often.
“Life is not a rehearsal, you only get one chance at it. So live it to the best of your ability. Its yours and only yours”.
I wil try and keep up with the moves and blogs - but keep it simple - with rss feeds etc.
July 8, 2008 at 7:44 am
Will
Excellent, I applaude your courage and conviction for taking the plunge.
You will really be on the front line of one of the world’s biggest problems, and i’m sure it will be very emotionally challenging for you. But what a fantastic opportunity, i’m sure you’ll cope. And what a great location, the people, the music, the culture. Things work a little differently in Africa compared to other parts of thw world, try not to let that frustrate you if you can help it!
July 8, 2008 at 11:42 am
Patty
my goodness Steve!! well done! really excited for you and will keep a close look at your new blog. shall we get together before your departure or is it going to be too hectic??
xxx
July 8, 2008 at 4:15 pm
Brian
So. You just couldn’t hack another season of sorrow at SJP?
Understandable.
Well, you’ll probably see more natural talent out there - and more smiling faces whatever their plight - than you will next season on the terraces at SJP.
I wish you great courage and great success. Yes, it will cost you much, in many ways; but, it will pay you back - as only you can know - a million-fold in your own heart and soul.
And the cool thing is, we’re all goin’ with you and will just have to help in whatever small ways you reckon we can / must once you know the score.
[Right, let's get the time-scale clear and get the packing planned?]
Good luck Steve. And Bravo.
July 9, 2008 at 5:43 am
Preyanka
Congrats! I just read your piece in To Vietnam With Love and loved it.
July 9, 2008 at 6:39 pm
Mosh
Unmoderated, eh? That means I can swear:
Fuckin’ A.
Well done, fella. I’ll be following every step. Africa doesn’t hold a great appeal for me - I’m still wondering if I could somehow work out a method of getting 2 years in Vietnam with VSO but I may have to retrain as a teacher. Worth it to get the satisfaction and help a culture I’ve fallen for completely.
Guess that pint will have to wait another 2 years…
July 9, 2008 at 7:37 pm
B
Great news. Enjoy!
July 14, 2008 at 11:40 pm
Some Thoughts on Cameroon « Our Man in Newcastle
[...] 2008 in Volunteering | Tags: vso cameroon bamenda | As you might imagine, I have been giving my upcoming post in Cameroon a great deal of [...]
July 14, 2008 at 11:54 pm
ourmanwhere
Wow - thanks for the response and my apologies for taking my time in getting back to people - I’ve just back from my holidays.
First off - Stephen, thank you. Abby, as you might imagine, football has never been far from my mind - luckily one of the Newcastle players is Cameroonian - I reckon that might win me brownie points. Maybe I can even hook up with the player (Jeremi) for some fundraising.
DG - it’ll be good to have you along for the ride and it will be simple. I am working on collating all my old blogs into one place while all new stuff will be on http://www.ourmanincameroon.com - but it’ll be here where I am doing most of my writing for the next couple of months.
Will, I can’t wait - despite any worries I may have. I am glad I won’t be just retracing my Asian steps but will be doing something very different. I hope I won’t let anyone down.
Patty - we can try - it will be hectic but there is some time yet. I’ll be in touch.
Thanks Brian - again, good to have you along for the ride. It won’t cost me much financially, VSO covers that. I am not sure I go along with the concept of work being rewarding - it’s just so much more interesting and the fact that the stakes are higher really does help you get out of bed on a work morning.
Preyanka - thanks, haven’t got my copies yet but hopefully they are on their way.
Mosh - it never used to hold much appeal for me but it feels like somewhere and something I have to do. I could have ended up in Asia again but I am glad it is Africa. I can entirely understand regarding Vietnam. I fell for it too, completely. It catches you like that. I know Cameroon will be very very different.
And B - thank you too.