Initial Briefing by James Chapman in the United Kingdom
I found that the briefings given by James before departure were useful, the fund raising
awareness day I attended was to close to the time I was leaving and therefore to little time to
do any fundraising, but the teacher training day was useful with lots of good ideas of
activities and games to do with children. The pre departure briefing morning was good with lots
of useful information and plenty of time to ask any last minute questions and to meet some
people that were possibly going at the same time as you.
United Kingdom Support Near to Departure
Although I did not speak to James on the day before my departure, it was nice to hear from
my parents that he had phoned and he had given details on meeting point in the airport the
following morning, which was good to know we would all be flying together. Also good to know
that he was always on the end of the phone if we needed to ring him at any point near to
departure.
Initial Support on Arrival. Airport Pick Up. In Country Briefing
Due to our delayed arrival we actually arrived two days later but Greta was there to meet us
as soon as we came out of the airport. She arranged our taxi to the apartment and met us there
once we arrived. We had our briefing the following afternoon which was good chance to ask any
questions and find out a bit more about what we would be doing and places to go etc.
Greta's Visits
The first week was good when Greta visited us and helped us to sort ourselves out. Greta then
only visited as when we needed her, but she was always on the end of the phone should we have
any problems and would be round if there was a problem, this was good because it gave you
independence but also the security of knowing that someone was there should you need to contact
them.
Accommodation: Apartment
The apartment was really nice just what you needed, everything you needed to cook a meal,
sleep and live in. The swimming pool was nice to relax by and also to go for a swim in, although
sometimes it was a bit dirty but not all the time. There was also lots of information to help
you plan travelling at the weekends, where to go for meals and anything else you wanted to do
whilst out there. There was also a stereo which was nice to be able to play CDs or listen to
music and a TV with Spanish stations although this helped with learning Spanish. The only thing
I thought was that the toilet could have done with being separate from the shower because if you
needed the toilet and someone was in the shower then that caused problems especially if people
take along time in the shower, but apart from that it was really nice, clean and comfy.
Spanish Course
The Spanish course was good it helped me to develop on the little I had learnt in England,
and then most of what I also learnt was through my project. The teacher was really nice she
spoke all in Spanish which was good to help you to understand the language and pick up useful
phrases.
Project: Was the Information Provided in the United Kingdom Accurate? How Was Your
Experience?
I really enjoyed my project and the experience I gained from it, I found the information I
had received in England to be accurate, the pictures and information were useful that I had
received before going as they gave me a picture of what to expect once out there. My experience
was really good, especially seen as this is my career in England, I came across different
disabilities and conditions that I had not seen in England. It was good to get a certificate at
the end so that I have something for my record of achievement.
Risk Assessment, Was it Safe? What Were the Dangers?
For me I found it a completely safe place to live, travel, work and go out, I was happy to go
out alone once I had my bearings and knew where places were. The biggest danger was the road and
traffic but as long as you had your wits about you and was aware of what was going on around you
then you were safe.
Would You Recommend Outreach International? Why?
Yes, because they helped me to organise my whole trip and they were very supportive through
the whole thing, when I was in England preparing to go, James was always on the end of the phone
or email, when I was in Mexico James was again always on the end of email and Greta was always
on the end of the phone. Everyone was very helpful and supportive. General Suggestions: We
joined the local gym situated in the supermarket, this was good value for money and friendly, if
you are into keeping fit its worth looking at as it gives you something to do in the evenings.
There was also a running track along the main road into town, that was used by everyone for
walking running and various other exercises.
Project: How Was Your Relationship With the Director, Manager of the Project
The director was a very nice vibrant and outgoing lady who would always speak to me. Although
I did not have that much to do with her as did not see her very often she was always friendly
when I did see her. She is great with all the children, staff and volunteers and I would say
very grateful for all the work everyone does.
How Was Your Relationship With the Staff?
My relationship with the staff was good, although the biggest problem for me was the language
barrier, but once I had been there for a period of time I began picking up sentences etc and was
able to hold conversations about family and general things, most annoying thing was that I
couldn't just join in on a conversation because I didn’t understand what they were saying. All
the staff were really nice and were patient with me whilst I tried to understand them and also
helped me to try and understand. They made feel at home there.
What Do You Think Can Be Improved?
Whilst I was there the major improvement was that the children were being taken out of the
chairs more and allowed the opportunity to crawl or walk around the floor, and also were taken
into the therapy room for physical therapy or massage therapy. I just hope that this carries on
for the children as it is a great opportunity, they also had a lady who came into to do painting
with the children, but she only came in for about two weeks and that was all, it's a shame it
wasn't for longer or more often.
Good and Bad Things About my Project
Good friendly staff and children. After about 4 weeks of me being there physical therapy was
in place and massage therapy. These children have somewhere to go for the day and they are not
just shut indoors at home, they have the opportunity to improve their skills etc. Hygiene of the
centre and also the cleanliness of the children were always importantHealth of the children was
always important to everyone.
Bad Language barrier, Spa pool not being used, Lots of rooms but not being used with the
children more of a dumping ground, Not many therapy type activities or games for the children,
ie, swimming, painting, music, drama,Children strapped in chairs for long periods of time due to
lack of staff and volunteers.
Accommodation
The apartment was nice, clean with everything you needed to cook, clean, live and relax in.
There was also lots of information about places to visit etc. Lots of information books and
other bits and pieces various volunteers have left for other peoples use, which is always good.
It's a shame there wasn't a microwave as it would makes things a little easier for example when
the gas ran out late at night and we couldn't phone till the next day then with a microwave
there are still things you can cook, also of the gas doesn’t come till late then the microwave
would be handy. The swimming pool was nice when it was clean, most of the time it was clean just
a couple of occasions when it wasn't. The people in the other apartments in the block were
friendly. The area around the apartment was nice, internet café was just behind and supermarket
was in walking distance, corner shop was just one block away as was the laundrette, although did
most washing by hand. So everything you needed was within easy reach.
Food Allowance
I thought the food allowance was good, reasonable, everything was fairly cheap, we found a
fruit and vegetables shop just about 5 minutes walk from the apartment, although I found the
fruit and vegetables didn't last as long as if you bought it from the supermarket and I would
rather pay a little more for it from the supermarket and it last a bit longer.Other than that I
found everything to be well priced and the food allowance covered my shopping and eating
needs.
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It is difficult to find the words to describe life in Mexico. Everyday is like a new
adventure full of amazing sights, sounds and feelings. Small cobbled streets unsuitable for
cars, huge pavements that are a task to climb, stray dogs everywhere, pick up-trucks full to the
brim with Mexican men on their way to work, children playing in the streets, restaurants selling
the most amazing food that are actually people's living rooms and then there is the weather. It
is hot all the time, unbearable! It never stops, even the tremendous, seasonal rain storms which
you would expect would cool you down bring more warmth, its unbelievable. Life is so fast paced
here yet so slow and laid back. The buses are crazy, overtaking each other trying to get the
fares and full to the brim with people. Everybody is always so happy wherever you go and so
wiling to help you out with whatever you need. We are constantly swarmed with offers of food,
drink, days out and fiestas. It amazes me that in such poverty people remain so optimistic,
friendly and happy. There is such a focus on family life, its amazing to see so many children
and adults happily getting along.
I have since moved into the Outreach International apartment with three other career break
volunteers. Mondays and Tuesdays I volunteer at the disabled children's centre. It allows Mum's
and Dad's to drop off their child for the day for free while they can go out to work and provide
for their families. The children receive food, drink, physiotherapy treatment and lots of love.
It really is an amazing place, started from nothing, run by gap year volunteers and completely
reliant on donations. Wednesday is my favourite day. We have set up a new project at the local
special needs school. This involves us running PE classes for all of the children and then
completing individual sessions with those children who have more complex needs. They have never
had any form of physiotherapy or PE at the school so the staff and children are so grateful for
our input. We are usually greeted at the gate with beautiful flowers for our hair and lots of
kisses! As with most of our projects resources are so limited, they didn't even have any balls.
So myself and another volunteer went out to buy new equipment. In England parachutes are used a
lot in schools, particularly in special needs schools and centres. The games you can play with a
parachute are fantastic. It just so happened we were passing a material shop and I thought
"we could make one those!" So we did! With the help of our Mexican Family's son (who
happens to be a drag queen artist and is a dab hand with a sewing machine), we spent a day
making a parachute for the school. The children absolutely love it and we are so proud to have
been able to given them something they can keep and continue to use in the future. My final
Outreach International project is based at a rehabilitation centre for adults and children with
varying problems. There is a wide variety of conditions which require physiotherapy
intervention. It's very interesting to see how different treatment is here, although the
equipment and conditions are so basic, so much time is spent with the patients and the quality
of the service is excellent.
My apologies for not emailing you earlier but I have been wrestling with geckos avoiding the
cockroaches and unravelling wild children from around my neck! This wasn't mentioned in my
interview and yes everything you said in the pre-departure briefing was true! I think the
culture shock and aclimatising to the intense heat is the hardest thing not to mention my poor
tummy! But I am now bright eyed and bushy tailed after shedding the odd tear and feeling alot
stronger. Sean the sheep (my Land's End to John o'Groats Mascot) has not left my side and
unfortunately for him there are no sheep out here in this part of Mexico! I can't believe the
climate, its amazing and the rain is hottt! Laura and I got caught in a tropical rainstorm this
morning at 7.30am on our way to work with thunder and lightening. We were shrieking with
laughter and when we arrived at the clinic the staff (who think we are lovely crazy english
girls) instructed us to strip off and they put all our clothes in the tumble dryer! Laura got
some great photos of us standing with cheesy grins with towels around us and wet faces!
Working with Laura has been lovely since we have each other for support including the other
volunteers! Now I have found my feet I feel like I know what my weekly routine is and I do enjoy
cooling off by the appartment pool doing my spanish homework. Our spanish teacher is amazing
and funnily enough speaks no english which is brilliant so for 2 hours my brain works so hard
steam comes out my ears!