Alumni Open Day volunteers, thank you for your help!

There was a real international flavour to our Open Day in Leeds at the weekend. It was great to have Saad from Morocco, Sajani from Nepal, Walter from Peru and Pabbu from India. Our UK staff always enjoy the trip north from Sussex after they have got over the usual hideous Friday night traffic on the M1. Last Friday was thankfully very quiet. It was also great to have the company of Sajani who educated me on the wide range of projects available before falling off to sleep either because of my boring conversation or hopefully because of jet lag.

Sajani, the Director of Nepal with Dr. Peter Slowe, Projects Abroad’s Director enjoying a tea.

All our staff and ex-volunteers were kept really busy through their sessions which hopefully gave a real insight into the country and what the projects are all about. You get all sorts of questions which potential volunteers as well as their parents in many cases are keen to know about.

It is amazing how volunteers come from far and wide. A mother and daughter flew over from Belfast to find out about the Human Rights Law placement in Ghana. Another girl travelled from Newport in South Wales and another family from East Anglia.

Saad, our Moroccan Country Director, showing some Moroccan pride!

It is great to be able to meet up with the ex-volunteers who have been away with us. Hannah Lane who is now studying at Sheffield is a real character who gave a great presentation on her time in Ghana. Hannah spoke to me before she went away to Ghana at a careers fair in Somerset and then we met up in Ghana so it is always good to catch up on what she is doing. Heather Buchanan was able to speak about her time in Sri Lanka and Ghana. The next Open Day we have is in London on 16th February. To sign up please click HERE.

-Ian Birbeck