A quick update

Week four already…time is flying! After a tough week in the office afthis weekend was spent relaxing between the beach and the farm. Friday night was my first night sleeping under the stars with the soothing sound of the ocean coaxing me to sleep. It was really beautiful, so much so that every time I woke in the night I felt like a little kid on Christmas morning, almost squealing to see the view of the stars above, the bonfire crackling and keeping me warm and the powerful waves crashing off the rocks close to my feet with nothing to protect me but a 19 year old Austrian and a mosquito net.  Saturday comprised of a long walk on the beaches where we stumbled upon an eco village called Tribe Wanted on John Obey beach. This village was set up by a British and Italian who were interested in setting up a self-sustaining holiday resort where tourists can come and stay, volunteers can come and work and the local fishing villages can gain employment and training on sustainable living. Currently 25 local people are employed by the eco village to build holiday bungalows, mud domes that look like they belong in a Middle Eastern desert, permaculture that sustains the local villages and tourists and a solar house, which provides the power. Some sceptics out there may wonder what the point in the village is, the reason I really like it is that Africa really seems to be a place where the west and east come to remove valuable resources leaving behind little more than junk they no longer need, empty, dangerous mines, polluted rivers from mineral extraction etc. and this village is something positive that will leave a lasting effect on the local communities and attract positive attention and like minded travellers to come, visit and take care of the local environment before they leave again. Check it out if you get the chance: http://www.tribewanted.com/ 

Monday morning and back to the office, today I am preparing for a meeting with the director and other volunteers to brainstorm 2-3 major points which need to be addressed regarding the running of the organization and what improvements can be achieved or at least started during my short time here. My current list is quite long and includes topics such a financial transparency, reporting, and accountability, pressing topics in any organization but particularly important for NGO’s when continued funding is dependent on the quality and timely delivery of reports and budgets. As my experience with the organization and the culture here is limited to just a few weeks I will rely heavily on the input from the director and other volunteers in making a plan that will last and be integrated into the working culture here at Safer.

Later today I will be travelling on a tour of the Eastern and Southern provinces to oversee the installation of solar panels in local schools, libraries and community centres. This project is funded by a partnership between Safer Future who provide the knowhow and labour and (NCSA) National Commission for Social Action who provides the majority of funding and monitoring power.