VSO in Nigeria
on Caroline in Nigeria (Nigeria), 31/Oct/2011 11:02, 34 days ago
Being a VSO in Nigeria is a                           Lonely                                                                                                                  Self-reliantScared                                                                                                                 ExcitedFrustrated                                                                                                          PatientNo electricity                                                                                                   Romantic candlesNo running water                                                                                           Friendly neighbours                                                                     with jerry cansLong tiring bumpy journeys                                                                        Warm welcome in rural schoolson potholed roads                                                                                          Children cheering round the van                              Walking down narrow slippy                                                                      Greeted everywhere. Offered astreets, falling in ditches                                                                              handkerchief for a grazed knee and                                       a lift                               No supermarkets                                                                                            Haggling for fresh fruit and                                                                       vegetablesNo Fashion shops                                                                                           Bright fabric made to your design by                                     clever tailors                                    Strange language                                                                                            Delight and encouragement of the                                        locals when you say a simple phrase                                                                                                   Mozzie bites                                                                                                     Safe from all creepy crawlies under the net                                                                                                     Long hours preparing training                                                                    Children’s faces smiling, playing spelling gamesNigerian people:Children in our street,‘Auntie Caroline! Auntie Caroline! Just hold my hand!’The waving, the smiling,The drivers who take me to amazing places and keep me safe,The State team who always ask about my family,Funmi, who makes me laugh and invited me to his house,The babies and children in the orphanage who want a hug more than any toys I take,Buki, the young girl, who teaches me a new phrase of Yoruba every week,Uzzar, my neighbour, who talks to me and gets me good deals,Gbenga, who checks we have Neppa,Taybah who gives us an extra egg,Our guards who look after us without a grumble,Ayo who got my watch fixedThe people in the office who always greet-Sharing food with them,‘washing’ new items,The teachers who only need a word of praise to beam with delight,The pupils in the dark dismal rooms smiling as I shake their hand,Singing, dancing, praying, laughing that touches the soul.