Early Basic - Born Derby in 1981, I did pretty well at school, met some quality friends and tried my hand at most things, sport being the favourite with language having the fear factor. Below is me (in the blue) at my leaving party with Kush and Mike (Steve Holt).
More recent – Spent an incredible gap year teaching at Chevalier College 2 hours from Sydney. Had a quality fellow gappie in Oli, the students were a laugh and the boarding house tutors and staff were legends. Three years at Leeds University getting a BA Economics and Politics. Easily the best thing was the amazing friends I made, however, still trying to work out exactly what I learnt there. This shouldn’t be seen as some masculine boast of all the ‘dedication to the lash’ I was involved in but the sad state of higher level education where 100′s pack into lecture theatres, seminars are like morgues and exams just encourage regurgitation rather than the ability to critically analyse – although recently I realised that having a population of critical analytical adults would be a bit of a bitch to govern, they might ask questions! So perhaps standardised production line education is for the best?
After Leeds I had an awesome 4 months in north Ghana doing volunteering and that was when I realised I wanted to be involved in development. A fun 6 month round the world trip via South East Asia, Oz, NZ, Fiji and the perfect San Francisco followed. I then spent a grueling 12 months in Manchester doing an MA in International Development where I learnt the world is a tad unfair, that the luxurious lifestyle we enjoy in the industrialised world is a large contributor to poverty and became a bit critical.
After my MA spent 4 months searching for work before I was rescued by securing an internship at Village AiD – a superb international development organisation based in Bakewell, Derbyshire who work in partnership with community based organisations in West Africa, www.villageaid.org and if anyone is looking for a worthy cause to donate to get on their website and give give give!
Interests outside Development/travel etc.
I’m a big music fan and so hate the X-factor and all that manufactured trash that’s currently being churned out. I’m more into hip-hop, soul, funk, alt-folk and whatever you call Aim. Artists I like – Braintax (a god), Bloc Party, King’s of Leon, The Roots, Terri Walker, Sharon Jones, Jurassic 5, Quannum records, tru thoughts records, Turin Brakes, anything Kush throws my way.Random comedy and cinema are all good, and give me my friends and family anyday. Don’t do much else.
Happy Birthday Richie P we miss ya and we love ya
xxxxxxx
I’m a VSO in Northern Ghana (Tamale) at the moment and it’s interesting to read other VSOs experiences. Thanks.
(I’d be interested to hear what you have to say about Manchester’s IDPM too, do you know anything about the ICT and development MSc?)
Richie babe
still got a jar of marmite, just in case.
No-mosh-kar Richard – Merry Christmas! I know it will be totally different to the one we’re experiencing but probably more memorable!
Love reading your blogs – sounds as though you are really enjoying yourself whilst doing something worthwhile.
Happy New Year!
Love Jane and Brian
England – played 1, lost 1. f@cking CRAP!!!!!
Hey mate, long time no hear. Hope you are well and 2008 is rocking, serenity now??!!
I’ve been plodding on at work and Zanzibar seems like an age ago, tan’s faded and although I’m not expected to be fickle, that sucks!
Planning on a ski trip with Kat, Will and the Saw (Faithful) in a month but until then its Busy Season so just numbers till then!
Rus’ stag do is all planned and Craig is getting excited about picking off the less religious ladies!!
I’m really enjoying your blog. Would you care to swap links? Well, I’ll like to you regardless. I just got back from Bangladesh. I’m working with a Bangladeshi tea company and was there visiting the tea garden in the northern Tetulia region. Anyhow, the tea is the first ever certified organic tea from Bangladesh, so we’re pretty excited to launch it in May. Check us out…. http://www.tetuliablog.com
cheers!
Hi Richard,
I am a new VSO volunteer and I am to be sent to Bandarban. I am also from Derbyshire. (I now live in Wirksworth.)
There are loads of questions that I would like to ask you. Please can you send me an email and I will start with a first set of questions. Are you ever in the Matlock area? It would be good to have the opportunity to meet you. I am also interested in learning more about villageaid.
Thank you.
Regards.
Jerry Allen