International Aid and Volunteering

Before, during, and after my VSO-ICS placement, I have been aware of certain tropes about international development, and aid that the UK government gives to Less Economically Developed Countries (LEDCs). For a long time I felt uncomfortable about volunteering internationally, just because of the image it could project: of an affluent, white, westerner on some kind of self-righteous mission to ‘fix’ problems in the third world.

Our social constructions around development (with the UK as an admired ‘end’ goal) and aid (wasted by giving money to corrupt dictators) are a product of classical media images, with well-intentioned but flawed imaginings (see BandAidclassicalcolonialism, BandAid20nothinghaschanged, BandAid30thisisawkwardnow). In advance of going to Cambodia, I always felt like I needed to properly justify why I was going: emphasising the UK government support of VSO; altering my descriptive language to claim I was ‘working’ rather than ‘volunteering’; and detailing the specifics (as much as I knew) to distinguish myself from any perceived typical ‘gap yah’ activities.

Home, and a Shock to the System

After many hours in Cambodia spent fantasising about the many western foods I would eat when I got home (sandwiches, oats, chocolate, cheese), it was somewhat conflicting to find myself ordering noodles at one of the numerous restaurants in Heathrow Terminal 2, mere hours after landing. I can only explain it as a desire to seek the familiar and comforting, a result of time difference confusing me as to whether it was lunch or breakfast (noodles are always available and appropriate), and an easy choice in an overwhelming situation.

In all, the whole experience of coming home has been quite overwhelming. It’s emotional to leave all the other volunteers, whom I’ve spent everyday with, for the last 12 weeks (I keep having dreams about them all), and it’s emotional to see everyone from home again, and realise quite how absent I’ve been (I still don’t really believe Christmas has come and gone).

However, I’ve found the daily lifestyle a little strange to re-adjust to, in a way that I perhaps didn’t expect.

Advice for Future VSO-ICS Volunteers (What is Not in the Handbook)

I was quite frustrated by the lack of practical information available to me, before I departed to Cambodia with VSO-ICS. It all felt a bit drip-fed and vague – particularly regarding the actual content of the work. I understand more now about the reasons for this: the situation is quite fluid and objectives are constantly evolving, staff members change all the time, and everything has to be approved by departments of multiple countries.

However, I still think that having more experiential knowledge would reduce worrying anticipation, and make future volunteers feel a little more in-control of their lives over the course of the imminent three months.

Remember: It’s not all about you

30 Top Tips from returned VSO volunteers (and some interesting reflections)

VSO Information Afternoon: Saturday October 4th!
Great for anyone wanting to find out more about VSO, or considering applying for any of their programmes (my VSO-ICS programme included!)