Its now about 3 weeks until I go to Mali and I hadn't thought much about it until I went on my training weekend last week in York with International Citizen Service. The training got everyone who is going on placement really excited. I met some fantastic people who are going to loads of different countries with various companies but it is all under international citizen Service. They gave us advice, warnings and extensive training about the world of international development. But one of the things they pushed was getting the word out there about what we as volunteers will be doing. They want us to all record our placements using any means possible not just as an advertising tool but to also spread awareness of the work that development organisations are doing. So amongst other things I have set up this blog and would love for you or anyone to follow from time to time! It may be difficult to access internet on a regular basis in Mali - I can be certain that it will be dial up! (remember the noise it used to make!) BUT I will try to update as much as possible with photos and videos. My team is also in the process of making a Facebook page for the project we will be working on in Mali.
Firstly i thought I should explain a bit about who ICS because its quite confusing. International Citizen Service (ICS) is a global volunteering experience which supports young people from all backgrounds to make a real difference to some of the world’s poorest people. This new initiative, launched by the Prime Minister and funded by the Department for International Development (DFID), will give thousands of youngsters across the UK the chance to join in the fight against global poverty. Various development charities work with ICS to offer 3 month placements in the countries in which they work eg VSO, restless development and International Service. I am going to Mali with International Service. From what I have seen of International Service so far, they are a fantastic Charity and I can't wait to work for them! Have a look at their website to see some of the work they do and where they do it!
At training, they gave us a country briefing and some of the info was shocking!
Mali is the 5th poorest country in the world. Over 90% of Malians live on less than $2 a day. The country is heavily dependant on foreign aid, and its economy is vulnerable to fluctuations in world prices for cotton and gold which are its main exports. They warned us that the temperature will be between 45-48degrees Celsius! I am going to be living in an apartment with some others from my team and we have a guard for the house who apparently carries a machete! This is meant to be the norm.
Currently, a lot of Mali is in the Red Zone, a term labelled by the foreign and commonwealth office which basically means out of bounds for tourists. The north of Mali has always been an issue - there is a group of terrorists working but this is mainly a desert landscape. However, the red zone has been extended due to recent kidnappings. So travel within country is restricted.
We were given limited information on the projects and day to day work we will be doing whilst in country. All I know as of now is the projects I will be working on are to promote Human rights in particular those of woman, children and people with disabilities. I will be based in the capital city, Bamako.
I have been writing to companies and doing bag packing in supermarkets to try and raise money for the projects I am working on - feel free to visit my Just Giving website aswell!
Over and Out
