Tuesday 27 July 2010

Antimalarials

I knew they were expensive but £127 for a month's malarone makes you think! Well, not about taking them - it strikes me they are non-optional - but about where the money goes - drug companies' research? are they complicated to produce? and what about the retailer's cut? But you cannot see many sales in Africa at that price - and I am going for only 4 weeks which means the others will have twice as much to pay! For what it's worth: the Coop quoted just over £3 a tablet, Sainsbury's £2.50 and told me Tesco were majoring on them so supply was slow (or were they just trying to get me to place an order?) I'll have to try Tesco next - but I do not see it as a big loss leader somehow.

For what it is worth, the best price I have found so far is £2.24 on-line (and on what appears a legitimate site - it had pictures and things, was spelled correctly and didn't offer improved perfomance of any kind.)

Wednesday 21 July 2010

The Kit and more

Busy day today with both finalising my 'Learning Contract' and a raft of instructions coming through from Kirsty who is the expert on everything practical about going to Africa (and maybe other places!).

It's quite frightening all the things you have to do: Kirsty sent notes and checklists on everything from kit, to health, to visas, to accommodation, to travel arrangements plus a full range of risk assessments - and details of next of kin (I am hoping the latter won't be needed.) It is a most impressive array of information gleaned, I presume, from years of experience (not that she's old enough for it to be very many years.)

A lot of it seems quite straightforward - shopping for lots of things - the usual 'holiday' stuff like sun screen and travel adapters and then things like anti malarials appear and DEET based insect repellent spray and mosquito nets. And then the need for a money belt. But what is worst of all are the references to clothing requirements. Loose fitting trousers and sandals? A bit broad that! Take the wrong travel adapter and you can't charge your laptop - take the wrong clothing and you spend the entire trip feeling a fool or looking like a tourist. Someting to ask Kirsty, I think. Maybe I should buy clothing there and blend in with the locals!

Tuesday 20 July 2010

The Coaching (past)


It is probably unfair to reflect so soon on it - so ... onwards and upwards.

Friday 16 July 2010

The Coaching (to come)

Monday next - 4 hours coaching - what have I let myself in for?!

Thursday 8 July 2010

The Shots

Well - not as many as I thought. The nurse said I was ok already for Hep A and B, DPT and needed only a quick Typhoid jab. For the record (and maybe as future evidence) we decided aganst Yellow Fever (only needed in the jungle) Meningococcal Infection, Rabies and Cholera (not risky, effective and cheap enough for the benefit to justify the cost.) Hope we were right.

Sunday 4 July 2010

The Assignment

PEOPLE’S PROCESS ON HOUSING & POVERTY IN ZAMBIA (PPHPZ)

Duration:
4 weeks, based in Lusaka, Zambia

Work Relations: The Executive assignee will work closely with the Fund Manager. Main organisational funder is Comic Relief.

Assignment: Develop administrative, financial and fund/investment management policies & systems.
-project management policies
-procurement
-budget tracking
-fund/investment management
-internal controls (financial)
-management information systems (loan funds)
-self help support training

Scope of work:
• Orientation with key staff members
• Review of exist relevant documents
• Document guide for implementation of self help projects
• Development of loan fund management information system
• Review and development of fund and investment management policies and system
• Review and document project management guidelines

Deliverables:
1. Functional administrative and financial systems, procedures and policies in place
2. Fund and investment management policies and systems
3. Loan fund management information system in place

...............err ... yes ... bring it on!