Arrived in Lilongwe

Wed 23rd Oct

Arrived in Lilongwe after a flight from Heathrow via Nairobi and Lusaka. Flew with 5 other volunteers so had plenty of time to get to know them. Picked up at the airport by VSO and taken to a hotel where we will stay for a week having an induction course.

We meet up with 5 other volunteers so there are 11 new people starting together.

It a real mixed multinational team.  English, English/Indian,Scottish. Irish/Hong Kong, Dutch, Indonesian, Ugandan and Kenyan.

Only 4 of us will stay in Lilongwe. I will be sharing a flat with Herman our Irish/Hong Kong guy 32.  He is really from Hong Kong but was sent to boarding school in N.Ireland. We have not seen the flat yet but has warned me that he eats lots of Chinese food. 

Only been into the old town centre for 45min to allow us to buy a sim card, not very attractive so will have to do plenty of exploring once we have moved to the centre. Meanwhile were having extensive education from loads of speakers, ranging from Chief of Police to Professor of Human resources from the uni.

So far in the hotel the food served has been Curries or Chinese or Chicken & Chips with the odd green beans.

Off to bed now.

Robin

Work Permit Approved

At long last my work permit has been approved just in time so I can catch a flight with 4 other volunteers on Sat 20th and complete the 1 week induction VSO have set up.
Now it's panic time to sort the cottage out for rental, sell the TT and change all the addresses.

Placement

Current situation.

Due to fly out on Saturday 20th October, flights booked by VSO.
The first week out there is an introductory/familiarisation week which includes a language course, introduction to the VSO team and employers, Setting up bank accounts and buying items for our assigned accommodation.

However still awaiting VSO to get my work permit approved with the relevant Malawi department.

A bit worrying for me as it could get rejected as I have no official accreditation that I have SQL skills.
These were all learnt while working within IBM over the last 20 years.

Hence very frustrated that VSO have not got an answer yet as it's now just over two week to go.

Key date is Friday 4th. VSO have promised to get an update if no commitment then need to agree a delayed departure date.