Six Weeks To Go!

Hello!

So, I've decided to start my blog with six weeks to go. Here's a proper introduction:

My name's Lissa and on the 15th November, I'll be off to Tanzania, where I'll spend 3 months volunteering with the VSO-ICS programme. We'll be based in Karagwe district in the north west of Tanzania, tucked away with Lake Victoria on the east side and the Ugandan and Rwandan borders to the west. We will live with host families, which is something I'm really looking forward to. By staying with families it will be impossible to not get to know the true culture of Tanzania! 

The theme of our work on placement will be Health, but we don't know any precise details yet. We will work with a national NGO that has specifically requested help from ICS, one of the ways the ICS programme ensures their work is valuable and makes a positive difference in the fight against poverty.

 So, my preparation so far has been quite thorough, vaccinations being the primary aspect. My arms are like pin cushions! After a short panic about being able to get a Yellow Fever vaccine (Nurse at travel clinic: 'Well, Tanzania is only at a low risk...'), I've now almost completed my vaccination schedule.

My Doxycycline! Yes!

 I've also collected my anti-malarial tablets - all 150 of them. I found this quite exciting, but no one else seemed to.
 My next step is the training weekend from the 19th until the 21st October. This will be my Training Weekend Round 2, because of various mix-ups about departure dates which are irrelevant now. No hard feelings.
 Finally, I have a long shopping list including strong insect repellent, Avon Skin So Soft and Rehydration Powder. Exciting!

I think that's it for now.

I'll update when things are more exciting... Like, when I'm in Tanzania! Woohoo!