Briefing

Just back from a pre departure briefing in SPW's London offices for the weekend. Its all getting very real now. I'm actually going. I less than two months! There was LOADS of stuff covered, kit to take (bring lots of malaria tablets), a health talk (you will probably get malaria) and what to do in a crisis situation (when you get malaria…lie down).

Some of the sessions also encouraged me to think about HIV and AIDS and the way it affects entire communities and infrastructures. Its not just the human suffering, which is of course appalling, but the stigma, rumours, miss information, loss of potential and skills, economic stagnation, lack of role models, apathy, hopelessness. All of these things must be the result of the generations that have been lost

There is no quick fix. If there was it would have been done by now and I'm not expecting to save the world in 8 months. But hearing from previous volunteers that health and livelihood clubs that were put in place two years ago by them are still running and expanding in some communities makes me really hopeful. My attitude is that the job is only done when we are no longer needed and that any changes must be gradual and sustainable. Even if I am working myself out of a job.

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Two months to go.

Yesterday was two months to the day until I fly out to Uganda to begin my next adventure. I couldn't be more excited and I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the people that have helped me out. People have sponsored me, bought days, kept secrets, donated sleeping bags, given advice and much much more. So to all of you, thank you thank you thank you.

I must admit that through the excitement I am also a little worried. Will I be able to deal with what I see and with no running water or electricity for months at a time? Will I do any good? Will I have become completely immune to medicine after taking antibiotic malarial tablets for 12 months!? I have a flight into Uganda and a flight out from Cape Town...will I make it!? When will the money run out (notice the "when", there is no question that it will!)? Most importantly, how will I cope without the BBC website?

Despite all this I can't wait to get out there and be where I am most comfortable which is out of my comfort zone. For some reason I can always cope better with the world when I have no clue what the hell is going on. It seems like the natural order of things.