The Volunteer House

The house I am living in is simply known as the Volunteer House. Joshua acquired it to provide any volunteer who helps at RUDEC with something that resembles home. I am sharing it with1 Englishman, 1 Spaniard, 1 mouse, 1 gecko, 3 ducks, 1 chicken and her chicks, and a few extremely fast moving spiders.

It has a ramshakle feel to it. The toilet is cracked and wonky, the electricity frequently cuts out plunging us into darkness, the shower provides cold water only (when it works) and the 3 hobbed gas stove fell apart on us today. The kitchen drawers have disappeared, the worktop is cracked and rotten and, of course, we have no fridge or other electrical appliances. In the living room we have a table with chairs, an old 3 peice suite and boxes of toys, medical supplies and books left by previous volunteers. Despite everything, this is luxury. Compared to the mud huts that the locals live in, this is a hotel. I feel slightly guilty. And a little bit of a cheat.