Should we go?

My husband and I are considering doing a two-year stint with the VSO - Voluntary Services Overseas. Danny has applied for positions as an Education Advisor and similar titles. I would be a non-volunteering (independent) partner. We are still very much in the research stage, but will know more next month when we go for an assessment near London.

I have been busily researching everything about volunteering and about each country the VSO sends volunteers. There is a great deal of conflicting information between people who have been or live in certain countries, the media, as well as the US State Department and the FCO UK. The US site is, of course, the most negative but it seems they've become quite paranoid about the entire world. Danny thinks I am being paranoid when I find it frightening to read about bandits using machetes on their victims, bombs in tourist areas, kidnappings, murder and mayhem. I will admit that it does make me just a bit nervous as I am hoping to live at least 25 more years.

Countries I've researched in depth are Nepal, Cambodia, The Gambia, and Namibia. First, get accepted and then see what countries are offered. Stay tuned.