
Thing is, it’s pretty difficult to write about everything I’m doing. Just like in offices around the world there is a lot of background work but the glamorous big events don’t happen that often. (And the occasional paint throwing at Holi.) If I waxed lyrical about a meeting I had or a simple email I received I’m pretty sure people would stop reading.
I recently gave a presentation about social media to other volunteers. This was more to do with my enthusiasm for YouTube and Twitter than any specific form of expertise. Something I mentioned was to be careful what you blog about. Your neighbours or the people you work with may be reading. If you’re not getting on with someone, you definitely shouldn’t be making it public.

What I will say specifically, is I am six months in. It is the half way point. After one month’s training followed by five months in placement, I get it. VSO says it takes time to build those all important relationships, to understand the context in which you are working and to be apply your knowledge to the work. It feels like all the prep has been done and we really are cooking on gas. To get everything done in the next 6 months is going to be pretty hairy. We need support, there is a lot of work to be done and it is not as easy as this would be at home. I’m really positive. We have a good team, excellent vision from the Director and everyone I work with is enthusiastic and gets it too.
Forgive me if I blog more about life than about work. It’s not all yoga, swimming and travelling. I just don’t want to give the game away. How much better is it going to be to report on the success afterwards?
i agree, we blog less about work, but how our lives change in the course of doing our work and living as volunteers makes for exciting stories. :-)
ReplyDeleteAnd blogging helps the writer to keep in touch with people a long way away, to let them know what you're doing and hopefully to get them to communicate with you. An important lifeline when living in another culture, a long way from your friends and family
ReplyDeleteHi Jennifer
ReplyDeleteI was forwarded your blog via google alerts, as I am very interested in any daef issues, and was astounded to read of the ridiculous lack of Indian sign language interpreters compared to the signing deaf population.
We are a Deaf communications agency in the UK, that has strong links with India, and we would be very interested in talking with you to see if we could do anything to develop things out there? Please check out our website www.silent-sounds.co.uk for more information about our current UK operation.
Regards
Richard Durrant, Silent Sounds UK Ltd.
Thanks Richard, I'm happy to hear from you. I shall contact you this week. Wonderful to hear my blog was in Google Alerts and is reaching more people!
ReplyDeleteJen
Hi Jen, in my opinion your blogs here are absolutely not causing any problems, I enjoy reading your blogs getting to know how you have been, your experiences on living in India, your travels and so on and even some bits about your works. You summarised very well on everything (although I know you are unable to cover every little things), this effectively enables me to put myself in your world. Keep up with your good blogs, as this did attract interesting parties, such as Trip Advisor India. xx
ReplyDelete