Cheryl and Ron - Voluntering for Vanuatu

Well, it's finally happened! Two weeks ago we were told that I've been accepted as a volunteer by Australian Volunteers International (AVI). My posting will be to Vanuatu.

As yet, they havent found a position for Cheryl but lots of people both here at AVI and the ones we've 'spoken' to via email in V are very encouraging that Cheryl will pick up work quite readily once we actually arrive and she does a little networking.

SO who are we and how did this all come about? I'm a recently retired school teacher and school administrator. Cheryl is a consultant specialising in project management for NGOs and government departments in the community sector. We've been thinking and talking about working overseas for a long time. Recently, I made the decision to retire from my position in the public school system. Our children are all grown up and moved out. We (as yet) have no grand children (or impending pregnancies we are assured!) Thus, the window of opportunity opened, and so we began looking around through numerous agencies.

We must have put in 50 applications to a range of organisations including international schools, aid agencies, overseas corporations etc. And then finally, Australian Volunteers International contacted me and the process of my recruitment began. There were lots of phone conversations between Gosford and Melbourne, a psych interview, medical, and reviews of my (and Cheryl's) CV. Last week we received the invitation to attend the 3-day Pre-Departure Briefing at AVI's headquarters in Melbourne. What a great 3 days. Imagine spending 3 days with over 30 people of all ages where you all share the same basic beliefs and values and where every single person feels instantly like an old friend.

We talked, played games, read lots, listened more, shared stories and learned so much about AVI's (and AUSAid's) Development goals, capacity building, different cultures, support structures, and so much more. As we left for home, Cheryl and I both agreed we'd rather be taking off immediately for Vanuatu than returning home to wait another 6 weeks for our actual departure.