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My time in The Gambia
by Rolly Albino
Food Security Advisor, The Gambia
August 2007 marks my six months as a VSO volunteer in The Gambia, West Africa. I came here as a Food Security Advisor working at the Agency for the Development of Women and Children (ADWAC), a national NGO, formerly Save the Children. My job involves supporting the environmental and natural resources sector in developing strategic plans for livelihood and food security intervention, especially the women sector as the prime food producer in the country. The job also involved providing technical assistance and advising the management team in the implementation of sound agricultural programmes and projects for food security in a participatory and eco-zone approach.
Prior to The Gambia, I served as a VSO volunteer in Flores, Indonesia as a Natural Management Advisor for two and a half years. The job was to lead in facilitating in the documentation of watershed management through collaborative and participatory approaches. The work was very challenging as the approach for a collaborative natural resources management was new to the partners.
There were several workshops that I had facilitated and the main issue identified by the people is the lack of collaboration among stakeholders in the management of natural resources that often leads to the mismanagement of their available resources. With the strategy of capacitating the local NGOs and communities that has a common interest in lobbying and influencing the government especially the policy makers, the people of the district were able to build a strong partnership with relevant stakeholders. It further open up a venue for the VSO Indonesia to work with the local government for a collaborative watershed management.
After my volunteer work in Indonesia, I decided to volunteer again this time in The Gambia.
I recalled that it took me a long time before I finally accepted the Africa post. Now, in retrospect, I could say that my role here is actually the next logical step from my placement in Indonesia.
My volunteer experience can be likened to freshly-popped popcorn from a pan, still hot, but if left unattended, can lose its taste. I love experiencing a new culture, meeting people and learning new languages. It’s fun and it’s addictive! I am enjoying myself and I am committed to do what I have set out to do. I believe in contributing to development, and I believe in sharing my skills to communities that need them most. Volunteering abroad is a noble experience, and the process of understanding the real situation of the people and the community can be a factor for effective change.
CURRENT VOLUNTEER POSTINGS
We’re recruiting professionals with these skills to start placements in the next six months. If you’re qualified and experienced in a profession listed below, we want to hear from you.
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
- MIS (Management Information Systems) Adviser
- IT Specialist:
Will establish internal communication systems in the district and regions. Preferably with experience in database systems and language programs and knowledge of GIS - IT Trainer:
Will train others on applications, programming, network administration, hardware maintenance and troubleshooting
BUSINESS & MANAGEMENT SUPPORT
- Organizational development advisers
- Monitoring and Evaluation specialists
- Small business advisers
- Business development advisers
TECHNICAL & NATURAL RESOURCES
- Agriculturists (with extension/livelihood experience)
- Vocational skills instructors (in mechanics, carpentry/woodwork, craft product design)
- Environmental management specialists (coastal, upland)
COMMUNITY WORK & RESEARCH
- Social work managers
- Researchers on macroeconomics
HEALTH
- Public health specialists in environment health/ maternal and child health / community development
- Doctors (surgeons, pediatricians, obstetrician-gynecologists, GP/hospital doctors, family medicine, internal medicine)
- Midwives
EDUCATION
- Education Managers
- Special Education Teachers (with module development experience)
- Special Education Teachers (specializing in visually impaired)
FUNDRAISING AND COMMUNICATIONS
- Fundraisers
- Advocacy specialists (Gender, Human Rights, HIV & AIDS)
OTHERS
- Livelihoods (fisheries) adviser
- Eco-tourism manager
- Small business & tourism adviser
For further information and inquiries, visit www.vsobahaginan.org.ph, email us at bahaginan@vsoint.org or call 3746450 to 52 loc 21. Or write to us: The Director, VSO BAHAGINAN Unit 505 Pacific Corporate Center, 131 West Ave., Quezon City 1105.
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Speak out. Send a message to rachel.nalus@vsoint.org.