I thought you would be interested to see some more of my photos from Nigeria. They can be viewed at:

http://uk.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/sghshaw/my_photos

If you're not sure where some of the places are (those of you who aren't Nigerian!), you can look at this map to help:

http://media.maps.com/magellan/Images/NIGERA-W1.gif

Return Date

I will come back to UK on 7th October, looking forward to it!

I will move to London in October - now starting to look for a job (languages/ disability/ arts/ development are areas of interest but open-minded about any interesting opportunites) and somewhere to live (a 2-bed flat), so any help with that greatly appreciated :-)

Saw plenty monkeys - will try to post 'snaps' soon.

Some snaps of the students!

Here is Primary 2 with their 'Flowers' project work and some Primary 5 children in the computer room. They are learning to save their file so you can see Fatima (sitting with her back to the camera) signing 'name'.

Finishing a few things off at work then hope to travel south in the last weeks of August before one more month at work to monitor the handover of my responsibilites (hopefully)....Have had trouble uploading photos and finding time for it, but always good to hear others' news!

Indigene/ settler issue

There is a good Human Rights Watch report on the marginalisation and tension created by the indigene/ settler issue in Nigeria at:

hrw.org/english/docs/2006/04/24/nigeri13260.htm

The label that people are given can greatly effect their access to services, employment and political positions among other things. This issue has also contributed to the violent events that have taken place in recent years.

It is an issue that doesn't involve me personally as an outsider and am very well looked after here so no need to worry :-)

Easter break/ art classes

For Easter in Jos snaps see both the Artist Gardeners site and Tammie's blog at http://nigeria.tammiebrooks.com/April2006_album.html

We (4 VSO vols) had a great 'trek' in the hills with some other Canadian volunteers from CUSO.

Am enjoying taking things easy in the heat during the school holidays, but starting to work more with art now so that's very good - working with the art teacher, Emeka, on all classes for Nursery, Primary and Junior Secondary - hope to be involved in the teaching, but also in helping Emeka develop some more skills and ideas - am learning too but my art experience in the UK (and the experiences of friends who have sent me their own tips) and the materials I have been given (thanks to Mum, Dad and Pat!) are very helpful. We do not have a Nigerian syllabus to work from (except for the Junior Secondary level), so we are trying to adapt some UK ideas to the local context and the resources we have locally. When the rains come, we should be able to get clay! I hope to also sensitise the school staff and parents on some of the benefits of art classes for all children and particularly the children at school. We are planning an open day for parents in June so this will be a good opportunity.

Interview about volunteering and my work

An interview (with a not entirely relevant photo!!) can be found at:

http://www.g21.net/africa117.html

All is well here and work seems to be making some progress. Had a great visit from Mum and Dad (photos to come soon...) and met with all the volunteers in Nigeria for a conference in Abuja. Am keeping pretty busy with work but have a good social life too really and am getting around other parts of Kaduna, seeing friends and visiting some projects around the town. One example is a project for people who have had Polio and make wheelchairs both for themselves and to sell on to others. I hope to get involved with a few projects like this outside of work, but may decide to focus on working with some deaf community groups. Time is going fast, so I do need to focus on what I think I can achieve in the next 6 months...

My house!

As requested, some snaps of my house/ large room!




































Dining/ Sitting area




















Netted bed, sometimes feels like I'm in a four poster!

No need to worry...

The Programme Office are looking after us and making sure it is ok to stay in Kaduna with the presence of avian flu in Kaduna State (not the town). I am currently in Abuja (was here to meet new volunteers anyway) and am sure we will go back soon and ensure we take necessary precautions.

See the Foriegn Office website for more (reassuring) info www.fco.gov.uk

Christmas snaps!

See some good 'snaps' (we don't say photos here!) on Tammie's blog at http://nigeria.tammiebrooks.com/DecChristmas_album.html

Delta troubles

I am a long way from the delta and don't plan to be heading there at all. Just thought I'd let you all know :-)

Work is busy busy and am enjoying getting involved in art classes for new junior secondary class.

Will try and uplaod photos of school and my house soon

Masquerade

Some shots of the masquerade in Opobo Town - see the last entry. You can see the carneval-like parade and also some images of the 'spirit of Opobo' (black and white with puppet head on top) with its 'keeper'

Opobo Town

New year was spent on an island in the delta region, Opobo Town, where three VSO volunteers are based. The town is not on the national grid and has its own electricity generator that powers the town at weekends and along with other communities we visited shows how diverse this country is, particularly in terms of access to rescources and services such as electricity, water, education.

We took boats to reach the town from the mainland and arrived on new year's eve as celebrations were starting. We quickly went to Lady B's chophouse for rice and stew...Lots of dancing around at midnight, accompanied by one local policeman and his gun...nice!

A traditional New Year's Day walk, but slightly different to normal as we took a boat to another settlement, we were shown how the shoreline was being protected with local materials and walked through the forest, where we saw a pair of hornbills...

Monday 2nd was a very exciting day, with a masqueade performance and parade at the king's palace. Different compounds competed and covered in paint and costumes, paraded and danced past the king. The 'spirit of Opobo' also seemed to be in a staged fight with its keeper on a roof in the king's compound. I will put some pictures onto the artist gardeners site soon.

New year...new blog!

Group emails aren't nice really and keep confusing what I have emailed and to who (!) so will try and update this blog with my news every fortnight or so.

I will still keep the artist gardeners blog as this is for my global education project, most images will go onto here still I reckon.

So please keep an eye on both!