INTRODUCTION

So, you found me! Probably because I sent you a link. Why am  blogging? Because I am about to undertake an amazing adventure; 8 weeks in Namibia, sub-Saharan Africa, volunteering to try to help the University of Namibia (UNAM) have a better chance than they are giving themselves at the moment to win grant funding for the research work they do.

Anyone who knows me knows that I am what I would term a socialist with a small ‘s’. To be clear, what I mean by that is not deeply rooted in politics, it is merely that I feel that every person on the planet should be helped to give the best that they can in a fair environment, and to try to bring a fairness to how others treat them and are treated by them.

The Welsh Government, of which I am proud to be part, runs the Wales for Africa programme, which has many strands to it, which you can read here

Within that programme there was a call for volunteers to help with specific projects. I saw 2 opportunities that I thought I could help with and so applied. I have been successful and have also managed to shape those opportunities into a wider, more beneficial package of assistance because of the skills, experience and expertise I have. In short, what I shall be aiming to do in the 8 weeks that I am there is:

• Acclimatise with the environment and team of people at UNAM that I will be working with. This includes an appreciation of the make-up of the personnel, the culture that is in place and an initial building of relationships to gain and encourage trust.
• Design and deliver a workshop around general project and programme management, drawing out people’s thoughts about what the crucial elements are in each and exploring how we can design something for generic use across UNAM, no matter what area of project delivery is being considered.
• Coach the design and delivery of a Programme Management Office for UNAM that could hold and promote a framework of tools for effective project and programme management.
• Design and deliver a workshop around better business case writing on the back of effective project management regimes put in place.
• Coach UNAM staff through writing live business cases for grant applications, sharing the best approach to ensure maximising the chance of success.

It’s going to be an exciting adventure and one I am really looking forward to. The provisional date for departure is 18th February 2019, but this may be brought forward by a week. I plan to use this blog to describe the build up to departure and then to record the experience whilst I am out there, and continue on after my return to Wales to describe the benefits to all, including myself. It will also serve to keep friends and family up-to-date with my health and wellbeing.

Yes, this is a serious chapter in my life, but I promise you I shall inject my humour into my submissions to the blog and welcome any feedback and comments you may wish to post.

Enda po nawa.