Annual Volunteer Conference

Every year VSO brings in all 78 Volunteers for a conference. There is a lot of important discussion, updatimg, networking and sharing of ideas, problems and experiences. We were particularly pleased to meet other Health Workers who are in the field of HIV/AIDs. Francijn, a yound Dutch Dr working in the South has worked very hard in her placement and gave us a memory stick with more than 330 pieces of information about her project! Invaluable to us.

Volunteers gave presentatoins about their work and Rupert gave an excellent presentation (with powerpoint!) on "Sex and Development" which was well attended and very well received. Much to some peoples initial disappointment, it was more about the effects of rapid population growth and lack of adequate contraception on development than about sex per se. However he was asked by several people for a copy of the presentation, so we hope the message will spread....

There were other excellent presentations. We enjoyed one on water supply and sanitation and another from a friend in Dar in Media who is part of a national campaign to increase awareness of HIV to young people.

It was fun to meet up with our intake group again and to hear their stories. Such diverse experiences of work placements, housing, climate etc. We were kept working all day. Rupert and I had the surreal experience of going for our evening dip in the Ocean, accompanied by the sound of the bagpipes played on the beach by a Volunteer who happens to live in Saltash and plays for the Cornish Pipers at Tavistock Carnival!

Evening entertainment was predictably fun, including live music and Karioke. (Not on the same night!)