Our VSO family: How volunteering in Nigeria created a 30 year bond

Between 1982 and 1984 a group of about 30 people were selected by VSO to join a similar sized group of VSO volunteers, already in Nigeria. Many of us had recently completed degrees, some had additional teaching qualifications and others had skills based qualifications. We attended VSO pre-departure training and set off on what was to be a life changing 2 years. I was a Maths & Science teacher in a secondary school, while others worked in a variety of secondary schools, teachers training colleges, technical colleges and other institutions.

We were often in remote parts of the country, down dirt roads, with pit latrines for sanitation, wells for water and electricity was a luxury. We learnt about diverse ways of life, the tenacity of children often learning in their 5th language and the importance of patience and humour! During holidays we travelled, both to each other’s projects and around West Africa, often experiencing challenging situations and finding ways round them.

One of the amazing things that we also gained from our experiences was a VSO ‘family’. Since returning over 30 years ago many of us have continued to meet up en-mass, as well as in pairs, in various corners of the world. Recently we had a gathering where 12 of us were able to attend with 6 partners who are now thoroughly integrated into the group. One of the partners commented on the group and how safe it felt; after knowing each other for so long is it more like a set of siblings (without the sibling rivalry!) than simply a group of friends. It is wonderful how many strands we now find in common and how our original shared experience is no longer central to where we are, it is more of a point from which we have grown and developed.

Living and working among a local community for two years gives you an in-depth understanding of a country and opens up your life in many ways – it broadens your view of the world and what is important. Our paths have diverged in many directions, but a basic core belief system is still shared.

Our experience has influenced our lives in various ways – for example many of the group have chosen partners who are not from the UK while others have worked for development organisations or overseas during our careers. One member of the group now supports a small education charity in Nigeria while I myself re-volunteered in Yemen after qualifying as a nurse / midwife. Looking to the future several of the group have discussed re-volunteering with VSO when commitments allow.

I wanted to share this with you VSO and to thank you for what you gave us. At the time I had no idea of this benefit and how important it has become over the years.
Sophie Macfadyen

If you’d like to share your experiences or reminiscences as a VSO volunteer we’d love to hear from you.

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