ICS blog

As a former Progressio ICS volunteer, I feel very happy to volunteer again in this beautiful programme, which is such an important one because we are working on the theme of the environment.

The programme is also important because it helps with personal and community development, while always focusing on protecting the environment. 

As Progressio ICS volunteers, we are taking part in many activities that are pro-environment. This makes us active youth, working hand-in-hand as brothers and sisters protecting the environment.

Pooing. Never a subject many are eager to discuss, but here at Team DOMCCP, we love faecal discussion. It’s especially important on today of all days that we get talking about sanitation. Why? Because today is World Toilet Day!

Globally, one billion people have no formal, hygienic place to go to the toilet. In a Zimbabwean context, access to good sanitation is a huge issue. According to UN statistics, 40% of people in rural areas in Zimbabwe practise open defecation. 

Culture and religion together define the key dimensional aspects that influence society, setting up behaviours within the community. Malawi is not an exception to this predicament as the laws, beliefs and experiences tend to revolve around these spheres.

Host families - A home away from home

Malawi is a very beautiful and vibrant country and the first thing you notice is the Malawian peoples’ friendliness. Although overwhelming at first to us Brits, you soon become accustomed and find yourself saying ‘Monile!’ (‘Hello!’) to complete strangers. 

Ever since we arrived in El Carrizal just over four weeks ago, we have been holding three weekly English classes with the local school, the national volunteers and the local community. They have been very well received as the English language is a sought after skill in Honduras, yet hardly anybody in El Carrizal can speak it.

Due to the low wages/job instability across Honduras many people aspire to emigrate to the United States in order to earn more money and secure a more stable life for their families. Therefore, English is a very useful language to learn.

One of the most unique aspects of the ICS programme is the opportunity to exchange culture with a group of national volunteers. For Team Zeneko in Mzuzu, Malawi, both the UK and national volunteers have learnt a lot from each other already. For the UK volunteers, living and working alongside local people has provided a wholesome and authentic view of Malawian life.

ICS has three main objectives: project impact, personal development and active citizenship. Really, though, all three come hand in hand. While of course I embarked on this adventure, in part, to make a positive difference to the lives of the poor and marginalised people Progressio work with, in truth I largely wanted to develop my own personal skills (forgive me).

Esta semana ha sido de constante aprendizaje para nosotros los/as jóvenes voluntarios, tanto como británicos y nacionales. Catherine, una de las voluntarias británicas, compartió sus conocimientos sobre el cambio climático. Este taller nos sorprendió por el dominio científico que tiene del tema.  

Después de haber conocido las habilidades de nuestra compañera, sentimos la necesidad de hacer una actividad en la cual pudiéramos transmitir ese conocimiento, pero de una manera  muy dinámica, a las personas de nuestra comunidad, El Bramadero. 

Epifania is mine and Cat’s host mum. She is 63 years old and has a husband of 35 years, Rafael, and eight children. All of whom have moved out and had children of their own. She is very caring, kind and even appreciates our poor attempts at Spanish.