Tag Archives: stories about International Development and Relief
Nine Tips for International Development Practitioners
March 2016 marked ten years since I began working in International Development focusing primarily on local economic development. So I thought this a good time to put down a few insights that I have found useful or which I think … Continue reading →
Mr Morongo
About six months ago, Mr. Kibani found himself in a taxi going to a dowry wedding with Mr. Morongo who at around 62 was getting married for the third time and then going to jail. The men were both Kikuyu, … Continue reading →
Home is where you put your weight down
Postcard from Yerevan The View from my Balcony – Swan Lake in Autumn I am stretching my legs with a walk up to the galley next to the toilets on the Fly Dubai plane on my way to Yerevan. Two … Continue reading →
Riding on Trust
Postcard from Hanoi I am free falling, no escape. My head in my hands, panic somewhere just below where my heart should be. I tell myself I have been to this place before and so far it has always ended … Continue reading →
Land Of The Free
Postcard from America Back in the USA and it doesn’t matter which side of the tracks you grew up on, everyone here seems to like Bruce Springsteen and he has just been touring to rave reviews. He sings a lot … Continue reading →
Resident Aliens Christmas
Postcard from Kenya I emptied the coffee grounds from my plunger in to the toilet turning the water a rich chocolate grainy brown, wondered what the cleaning staff would think about my health if I forgot to flush, swung to … Continue reading →
Too dumb to keep but too hard to leave behind
Meeting in the village of Foudou – The floor is earth and the sides are open, the essence of humility Postcard from Senegal It is March, I am in Dakar and have just been picked up from my hotel to … Continue reading →
In Praise of Dreams
Postcard from Solomon Islands We are sitting in a circle on white plastic moulded chairs on the sand. I am in Honiara with a group of Solomon Islanders, they are speaking of high youth unemployment, few jobs and little money, … Continue reading →
When You Have No Choice
I am flying into Nairobi from Dubai, I have been in the air for twenty hours since leaving Melbourne, twenty eight hours since I locked the door of my apartment. The TV screen on the centre aisle bulkhead shows map … Continue reading →
What am I doing here?
I am in an aisle seat and a traditionally shaped African woman in a tight full length dress, colourful like some giant exotic jungle bird, is in the seat next to me. She gives me the hint of a smile, … Continue reading →
What am I doing here? 