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Silent treatment
The term ‘problem solving’ took on a whole new meaning in Timor-Leste, says Joris de Vocht, who returned from assignment in April.
Joris, a micro-business adviser, had the job of setting up a duck-farming venture. To source ducks, he was advised to try the local convent.
A smiling nun opened the door when he knocked. Joris outlined his request but the nun just kept smiling, not saying a word. After several attempts, a puzzled Joris left empty handed.
On asking the locals why he hadn’t been able to make himself understood, one told him: “Oh, the nuns would have just taken their week-long vow of silence ".
1960s’ experience in Samoa remembered
Trevor McKinlay, principal of Northern Southland College in Lumsden, recalled his 1964 VSA assignment when interviewed by the Southland Times on his retirement in July.
"Over 52 years ago when I left Kings High School in Dunedin to go on Volunteer Service Abroad teaching in Western Samoa, I never dreamed of the stops I would encounter on my journey and I feel especially blessed," he told the newspaper.
Trevor was a pioneer English-as-a-Second-Language teacher in Samoa, the VSA programme having only opened in 1963.
Top talk
Bruce McPherson, a volunteer in Bougainville in 2014 and PNG 2015, drew warm praise for his talk in Cromwell to mark National Volunteer Week in June.
“I am sure he inspired some of us to step outside our comfort zone and try something new,†said the Volunteering Central organisers.
Body Shop bracelets for VSA
The Body Shop is selling $3 friendship bracelets as a VSA fundraiser from 1 August to 11 September. Every purchase of a bracelet will help fund VSA projects across the Pacific.
Opportunity to attend VSA Congress
A significant number of returned volunteers are likely to qualify as 'honorary VSA members' and be eligible to have their travel and accommodation paid if they attend the VSA Congress in Wellington on Saturday 5 November.
Honorary members are defined as returned volunteers and accompanying partners who have completed their ‘period of service abroad’. They remain honorary members for the rest of the year after returning to New Zealand, and subsequently until the end of the following financial year (30 June).
If you are in that category then consider a weekend in Wellington to take part in Congress and catch up with other returnees.
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Does anybody know where Miss Fletcher is now?
She was a VSA volunteer teacher in Sarawak in 1969, and one of her former students wants to get in touch. Ann Chin was taught English by Miss Fletcher (right) at a Methodist School in Sibu 37 years ago.
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Ann wrote to VSA in June, saying she would love to let Miss Fletcher know that she is now an Auckland-based writer, and that her daughter Gabrielle is currently a VSA volunteer in the Solomon Islands. Read more >
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VSA Council elections in September
If you are a financial or honorary member of VSA, expect to receive your council voting papers early in September.
By the 30 June closing date for nominations, VSA received 12 nominations for four vacant positions on Council, its governing body.
Voting papers must be back with VSA by Thursday 29 September, and results will be announced in October.
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